(BIVN) – The University of Hawaii-Hilo is one of three UH system universities to once again make the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges Rankings list.

UH-Hilo ranked 66 among Best Regional Universities West, placing it in the top 47 percent in their respective category.

The universities are ranked using a methodology that considers factors like endowment size, rate of alumni giving and student-to-faculty ratio. The U.S. News and World Report surveyed 1,600 colleges among more than 3,000 four-year institutions throughout the U.S.

Its welcome news for UH-Hilo, where declining enrollment has been a concern; especially for State Senator Kai Kahele, who chairs the Senate Higher Education Committee. The senator detailed some ideas to improve student life at UH-Hilo during this recent presentation before students and faculty.