Columbus State University was recently ranked as one of the top 20 "Most Innovative Regional Universities in the South" by U.S. News & World Report magazine.

U.S. News compiled the ranking by asking top academics, in a peer assessment survey conducted this spring, to name the institutions they thought were the most innovative schools. In the peer assessment survey, CSU came in at No. 19 among regional universities in the South. Institutions nominated for the "Most Innovative" category were selected based on the improvements made in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.

The ranking comes after a series of innovative partnerships that have launched this year, including the world-class Bo Bartlett Center, the new Flat Rock Film Studio, which will house CSU film production classes; and a new WRBL News Bureau on CSU's RiverPark campus. Innovation is also found in degrees and programs offered, including a first-ever NEXUS degree in film production to be offered next year and the competitive pre-med program, which boasts 100 percent acceptance rate to medical school for its first graduating class.

Among the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings for regional universities in the South, CSU was also recognized as No. 22 for best undergraduate teaching, No. 10 for Most Ethnically Diverse Regional Universities, No. 42 for Top Public Schools.

Other recent rankings for Columbus State University include No. 78 among most affordable U.S. colleges and universities from College Consensus; No. 8 in best online master’s in science education programs and No. 38 in best online master’s in cyberdegree programs by TheBestSchools.org; and among the 30 best online master’s degrees in science education by BestValueSchools.com.