The College of Computing is ranked among the top tier of computer science programs in the U.S. for student satisfaction in a just released online doctoral survey by the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS). The College received an overall grade of B+ and is among 10 programs in the first of four quartiles of 35 computer science programs in the survey. The overall average for computer science programs is a B. The College is the only program from the South listed in the first quartile of schools receiving an overall grade average of B+ or higher (total points ranking from 75 to 100).

Some 41 students in the College participated in the survey, conducted from March 30 - August 15, including one Ph.D. graduate. The students were among 670 students from 35 computer science programs nationally participating in the survey and 32,000 graduate students from 1,300 doctoral programs across all disciplines.

The web-based survey consisted of 48 questions in nine areas relevant to doctoral education: information provided for prospective students, preparation for a broad range of careers, teaching and teaching assistantship preparation, professional development, career guidance and placement services, controlling time to degree, mentoring, program climate, and overall satisfaction. The College ranked higher in nearly every category than the national average. Students gave the College highest marks for mentoring (A-), preparation for a broad range of careers (B+), and overall satisfaction (B+). Complete results may be viewed at http//survey.nagps.org.

Other computer science programs ranked in the top quartile include Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of California-Berkeley, University of California-San Diego and the University of Washington - Seattle.

"We strive to constantly improve the student experience at all levels in the College and to create a nurturing environment and a sense of community by listening and responding to students' needs," said Dr. Peter A. Freeman, John P. Imlay, Jr. Dean of the College of Computing. "This survey is a strong indication that we are succeeding at the doctoral level and mirrors what we have heard from our students as well."

Dr. Larry Hodges, Ph.D. recruiting committee chair, says that he is not surprised at the results of the survey. "The size of our faculty and the vast variety of innovative research projects and groups in the College of Computing gives each of our students a great deal of choice in terms of research areas and advisors," he said.

NAGPS is an advocacy organization representing 900,000 graduate and professional students across 200 campuses in the U.S. dedicated to improving the quality of graduate and professional student life in the United States.