Academy engineering ranks sixth in the nation Published Aug. 20, 2004 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- The Air Force Academy's engineering programs all rank among the top 10 in the nation, according to the U.S. News and World Report's annual America's Best Colleges 2005 rankings.The U.S. News and World Report rankings were released Aug. 20.The rankings are separated by which universities offer graduate education programs, and those which have only undergraduate programs, such as the academy. Overall, the academy's undergraduate engineering program ranks No. 6 in the nation this year.Rankings are compiled by the magazine, using a weighted combination of factors, starting with peer assessment and continuing through faculty resources, retention, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation-rate performance and finally the alumni-giving rate.Engineering programs at the academy use a hands-on approach, balancing teaching with an active undergraduate research program. Current and ongoing academy engineering projects include: building homes for the Navajo Nation, launching rockets to 100 kilometers, developing and verifying computational and electromagnetic codes used to reduce the radar cross section of modern aircraft, studying ways to extend the life of aging aircraft and designing a satellite for a 2005 launch.