Local University Making the Grade

One local university on Delmarva is getting a special distinction just as they plan to celebrate their 130th birthday. 

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is making the grade according to a newly released ranking of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

In a new U-S News and World Report list published today, UMES ranks number 20. 

Rankings are determined using at least 15 points of academic excellence including graduation and retention rates. 

As of 2015, the university had well over 4,400 students enrolled.

University president, Dr. Juliette Bell, says the ranking is due in part to the school advertising.

 "We've had a very exciting year as a new member of the Carnegie Classified Research doctoral institutions. I think that has helped to elevate our status. We've put a lot of emphasis on telling our story with marketing. When I first started one of the first things that I said is that we don't want to be the best kept secret on the Eastern Shore of Maryland." 

Bell says UMES is aiming to get an even higher ranking next year when the 20-19 list is published. 

There were two other HBCUs near the Eastern Shore to make the top 25.

Delaware State University is ranked at number 13 and Bowie State is 22.