MARQUETTE, Mich.—Northern Michigan University appears in the top tier of Midwest universities in the 2015 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, which were released today. NMU is tied for 30th among the best public schools in the region. In the top tier of the Midwest’s highest-rated 109 universities—public or private—NMU is in a tie for 91st.

The regional categories comprise schools that offer “many bachelor’s degrees, some master’s and a few doctoral programs.”  

According to U.S. News, this 30th edition of Best Colleges includes data on nearly 1,800 colleges and universities. Eligible schools are ranked on up to 16 measures of academic excellence, including graduation rates, selectivity and freshmen retention. The goal is to help families compare schools, narrow their searches and make informed decisions.