Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University continues its climb in the U.S. News & World Report's 2014 Best Colleges list.

The university ranks 68th in the Top Public Schools category and 135th in the Best National Universities category that includes public and private schools -- up eight spots since the 2012 rankings.

In addition, the university's College of Engineering is ranked 78th among the best undergraduate engineering programs in the nation among schools whose highest degree is a doctorate, and the College of Business is ranked 101st among the best undergraduate business programs. The university is No. 104 in the High School Counselor rankings

"It's no surprise that Kansas State University would advance another four spots this year in the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges ranking," said Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students. "We have outstanding and engaging professors teaching our students. Additionally, there are opportunities -- offered by caring faculty and staff -- to participate in a campus life experience in a classic college setting."

U.S. News & World Report assesses more than 1,500 of the country's four-year colleges and universities. Data with up to 16 indicators of academic quality are gathered from each institution and tabulated. Schools are ranked in categories by their total weighted score.

"To continue to be ranked on the U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges list is a welcome and well-deserved recognition," said Gary Clark, interim dean of the College of Engineering. "It also is confirmation to the young men and women who are choosing to pursue an engineering degree at Kansas State University that our institution, faculty and programs are respected and valued beyond our state borders."

U.S. News & World report released the graduate school rankings in March, which listed the university's education graduate program as No. 88 and the engineering graduate program No. 94.

A full look at the university's rankings can be found online.