BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University advanced into Tier 1 among Midwestern master’s institutions in U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Colleges 2009 survey. Bemidji State was ranked No. 67 in the region, tied with four other institutions.

“Five years ago, I challenged the campus to work toward a goal of being recognized as a premier student-centered state university,” Bemidji State University President Dr. Jon E. Quistgaard said. “Our U.S. News and World Report ranking reflects the collective desire of the faculty, staff and administration at Bemidji State University to continue providing access to incredible learning opportunities for our students. It also reflects the achievement of Bemidji State’s 44,000 alumni around the world.

“In a time of increasing expectations and significant challenges, being ranked amongst the top tier of institutions of our type in the Midwest is no easy achievement,” Quistgaard said.

Master’s universities are defined in the rankings as institutions which offer a full range of undergraduate programs and some master’s programs, but few doctoral programs. The rankings split 572 universities into four regions, ranking schools in the North, South, Midwest and West.

Bemidji State was one of seven schools in Minnesota that appeared in the regional lineup.

The U.S. News and World Report survey ranks schools based on peer assessment, retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate.