According to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Iowa ranked 28th among the country’s best public universities, tied with Michigan State University and Virginia Tech.

According to a UI press release, the ranking remained the same fgrom 2012. The UI is also ranked as 72nd in the “Best National Universities” category — a study that contains 281 U.S. universities, compared with 71st last year.

“The new U.S. News rankings indicate the University of Iowa’s strength and stability. I am delighted and proud that we remain among the top 30 national public universities. I thank our entire university community—faculty, staff, and students—for the talent and commitment that lead to our nationally recognized excellence,” UI President Sally Mason said in a release.

— by Jordyn Reiland