Columbus State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Tom Hackett calls the news "huge."

"Best Colleges" rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report magazine put CSU among the Top 100 regional universities in the South for the first time.

CSU is listed as No. 91 in the South in the “Best Regional Universities” section of the magazine’s Best Colleges 2013 guidebook that goes on sale Sept. 28.

U.S. News defines a regional university as offering a full range of undergraduate majors and master’s programs. Regional university rankings are divided into four geographic regions: North, South, Midwest and South. Information from the guidebook, plus other rankings information, are also online now at http://www.usnews.com/colleges.

That CSU ranking measures the school against private universities as well as public schools. When compared to regional public universities in the South, Columbus State ranks No. 46.

Hackett said to have the hard work of those at the school validated is "gratifying."

In a news release, CSU President Tim Mescon said he believes the university has the potential to climb in the rankings.

“We have made some great progress in the U.S. News rankings and have work to do,” Mescon said. “We will continue this relentless pursuit for perfection in all we do.”

Mescon, who became president Aug. 1, 2008, indicated that CSU would continue working to improve itself as an institution attractive to students interested in achieving academic excellence, echoing the university’s “First Choice” recruiting ads.