TOPEKA, Kan. — For the 10th consecutive year, Washburn has earned a top 10 rating in the 2010 America’s Best Colleges rankings released Aug. 20 by U.S. News and World Report.

Washburn University is rated seventh in the Midwest among public master’s level universities. Master’s level institutions are those which offer a full range of undergraduate and master’s level programs, but few, if any doctoral programs.

Washburn is ranked in the top quarter (first tier) of public and private master’s level institutions in the Midwest, ranking 36th out of 146.

Of the 146 Midwestern schools compared in the ranking, 52 are public universities and 94 are private. Washburn ranked seventh among the 52 public universities. Washburn ranks higher than any other similar public institution (i.e., master’s) in Kansas and is the only Kansas institution in the top quarter.

The only Kansas institution ranking in the second quarter or tier is Benedictine College, Atchison.

Ranking in the third quarter or tier are Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Newman University, Pittsburg State University, and Southwestern College.

Ranking in the fourth quarter or tier are:

Friends University MidAmerica Nazarene University University of St. Mary

In the Midwest region, the 10 top ranked public universities are:

1. Truman State University, Kirksville, Mo.

2. University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls

3. University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

4. University of Illinois, Springfield (tied for 4th)

4. University of Michigan, Dearborn (tied for 4th)

6. University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

7. Washburn University, Topeka, Kan. (tied for 7th)

7. Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich. (tied for 7th)

7. University of Minnesota, Duluth (tied for 7th)

10. Missouri State University