Forbes magazine comments on why the University of Minnesota is a “rising star” — and thus a school to watch — having risen the most since the magazine began ranking schools in 2009:

For University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, which ranked 543rd in 2009 and now ranks 108th, it is the production of high-quality graduates who become leaders. Minnesota alumni include John Hammergren, CEO of McKesson Corporation, Mark Thierer, CEO of Catamaran, and Diana Murphy, the Circuit Judge of the US Court of Appeals’ Eighth Circuit. Minnesota also has a high retention rate, low debt burden, and high graduate salaries which sustain a strong environment for preparing students for their post-college lives.

In an emailed announcement, the U added some data:

The University’s graduation and retention rates are currently at all-time highs: 4-year graduation rate: 59.1% for Fall 2009 freshmen, up from 15.2% for the Fall 1992 freshman class

6-year graduation rate: 75.7% for Fall 2007 freshmen, up from 45% for the Fall 1992 freshman class

First to second year retention: 90.4% for Fall 2012 freshmen, up from 78.6% for the Fall 1992 freshman class Also, among the undergraduate class of 2013, 37 percent completed their degrees carrying no debt at all.

Vice Provost Robert McMaster pointed to a few things that may have helped the U rise:

… Welcome Week, the 13-credit policy, a strong emphasis on four-year graduation, the President’s Emerging Scholars program and improved advising … Our U Promise program, which provides more than $30 million in support for Minnesota resident undergraduates with a family income of up to $100,000, is also proving effective.

You can read the full story here.