Utah Valley University was named the top institution of higher education for “the new generation of web designers,” according to a recent ranking published by College Magazine.

“We know Utah for its spectacular state parks, and now we can remember it for clinching an accolade in the web design world as well,” College Magazine’s Sarah Bogaards wrote. “Working in interactive fields like UX [user experience], design, or development means constantly collaborating with colleagues who have both similar and different specialties. […] UVU students can count on opportunities to go beyond borders to expand their professional horizons.”

The ranking highlighted UVU’s engaged-learning approach, including classrooms that simulate home and consumer technology environments and the Advanced Digital Media Sandbox on campus.

College Magazine quoted current UVU digital media student Kevin Acosta, who mentioned the varied and innovative methods UVU’s education offers. “From the very beginning [to] the end, students are molded in a way of thinking outside the box,” Acosta said.

UVU beat out schools including Drexel University, Washington & Jefferson College, Santa Clara University, DePaul University, and Purdue University to take the top spot in College Magazine’s rankings.

“We have a lot of advantages at UVU compared to other universities,” UVU Assistant Professor Emily Hedrick said. “The first is we have a faculty team that’s encouraging to each other. The students are excited and invested to develop ideas and do projects. We also have an amazing department chair in Kim Brown and dean in Saeed Moaveni, who are supportive of how we are developing the program. Then we add UVU’s emphasis on engaged learning into the mix, and it really is an environment where we can bring out the best.”

Read the full article on the College Magazine website.

UVU's Rachael Freeman contributed to this article.