The University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music ranks first in graduate music programs in the country in a new survey by U.S. News & World Report. The 1997 rankings of "America's Best Graduate Schools" are in the March 10 issue of the magazine and in a 178-page guidebook which arrive at newsstands Monday. The University's business and engineering graduate programs were also ranked in the latest survey.

The Eastman School of Music outranked Indiana University at Bloomington and the Juilliard School in New York, which tied for second place. In 1994, the last time the survey was done, the three schools had tied for first place. Only schools offering the master of music degree were ranked. Ratings were based on how top administrators, deans, and senior faculty rated a school's scholarship, curriculum, and the quality of faculty and graduate students.

The William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration moved to 20th among graduate business schools in the country. Scores were based on student selectivity, placement success, and reputation among academics and corporate recruiters. The Simon School was in 23rd place for 1996.

The School of Engineering and Applied Science's graduate programs ranked 50th in the country. U.S. News considered faculty resources, research activity, student selectivity, and two separate measures of reputation in its ratings. In 1994, engineering programs at the University were also ranked in the top 50.

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