Two ISU design programs rank in top 20 nationally

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University's programs in landscape architecture and architecture are ranked 11th and 18th in the nation respectively, according to a new survey of practitioners by DesignIntelligence.

DesignIntelligence is a bimonthly publication for leaders in design professions. The magazine's annual report, "America's Best Architecture and Design Schools," is the only national college ranking survey that focuses exclusively on design. Rankings cover accredited programs in architecture, industrial design, interior design and landscape architecture. The report is aimed at design firms and organizations that recruit and hire recent college graduates.

For 2010, Iowa State's undergraduate landscape architecture program tied with North Carolina State University, Raleigh, for 11th place in the survey. ISU's program has been ranked in the top 20 for each of the last four years, one of only 11 schools to maintain that consistent national ranking. ISU's landscape architecture ranking has ranged from 8th to 15th. There are 44 accredited undergraduate landscape architecture programs in the United States.

Iowa State's undergraduate architecture program tied for 18th place with the University of Arizona, Tucson, and North Carolina State. ISU's program has been ranked in the top 20 for each of the last seven years, one of only 10 schools to maintain that consistent national ranking. ISU's architecture ranking has ranged from 7th to 18th. There are 56 accredited undergraduate architecture programs in the U.S.

The DesignIntelligence rankings are based on ratings by practitioners. The publication contacted leaders in more than 380 professional firms and organizations that have direct experience with the hiring and performance of recent graduates. They were asked to indicate which schools have best prepared students for professional practice, as well as the programs that best educate and train students in specific skills.

This year, the publication also issued a list of "America's World-Class Landscape Architecture Schools." Rankings were based on five criteria: current rankings by professional practices; historical six-year rankings by professional practices; rankings by academic department deans and chairs over the past three years; overall campus environment and student evaluations; and program accreditation.

Iowa State is one of 15 schools, out of 63 with accredited programs (both undergraduate and graduate), whose landscape architecture program was recognized "with high distinction."

Landscape architecture and architecture are in Iowa State University's College of Design.