The University at Buffalo is again ranked as one of the best universities in the country, according to the annual "Best Colleges" rankings released today by U.S. News and World Report.

UB is ranked No. 51 among all public universities in the U.S. and is No. 106 among both private and public universities in the country. With the ranking, UB again earns the distinction as one of the nation's "Best National Universities," according to the magazine.

UB moved up five spots among all universities and improved three spots among public universities, compared to last year's U.S. News rankings. UB has moved up a total of 15 spots in the "Best National Universities" category since 2010.

More than 1,500 of the country's four-year colleges and universities were considered by U.S. News for the rankings in a handful of categories.

U.S. News also ranked UB No. 19 nationwide for graduating students with the "least debt." The average amount of debt for UB students who incur debt is $17,440, and more than half of UB students graduated without debt, according to the U.S. News.

At national universities with the "most debt," students graduate with average debt of between $35,505 and $47,066, according to U.S. News, and as many as 94 percent of students graduate in debt.

UB Provost Charles F. Zukoski said, "UB is proud of the distinctive quality education we provide our students; we are pleased that this is being recognized."

The UB 2020 plan, supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo's NYSUNY 2020 bill, is having a transformative effect on the university, he added.

"We have made great strides in enriching the educational experiences of our students while keeping tuition low," Zukoski said. "We have invested in dozens of new faculty and expanded course offerings throughout the university. All of this is accomplished to enhance opportunities for our students and lend support to our belief that a UB education is of extraordinary value."

UB's national ranking was boosted by its graduation rate, which improved from 67 percent to 71 percent. Graduation rates are weighted heavily in the U.S. News rankings. UB also scored well in academic reputation, student selectivity and student retention.

Also earning a top ranking with U.S. News was UB's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, ranked No. 64 among the nation's best undergraduate engineering programs at schools whose highest degree is a doctorate. UB's School of Management is again ranked as one of the best undergraduate business programs with a ranking of No. 87 out of 625 accredited schools, higher than any other business school in the State University of New York system.

"We are delighted to see so many SUNY schools ranked among the nation's "Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report again this year," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "In New York, Governor Cuomo and our public colleges have worked very hard to provide an education of the highest quality that is both affordable and accessible. Today's rankings are a testament to our success and to the outstanding quality of our campuses throughout New York State."

The rankings are available at http://www.usnews.com.