Central Queensland University has retained its 5-star rating for graduate outcomes in the 2005 Good Universities Guide released this week.

The Guide gives CQU a total of six top ratings* and the University also gains 4 stars (above average) for entry flexibility and graduate starting salaries.

According to the Guide: "In only its 12th year as a University, CQU has turned in a very credible performance. It succeeded in achieving a number of above average ratings, including graduate starting salaries, one of only four universities outside NSW to achieve this\". CQU is also the only Queensland university to get an above average rating for starting salaries and is even ahead of the University of Queensland (3 stars) on this indicator.

The Guide continues to describe CQU as exceptionally diverse, less complacent, more energetic, more flexible and more welcoming.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and Research) Professor Jim Mienczakowski said CQU\'s 2-star \'getting a job\' rating reflected the challenges of interpreting data. The GUG rating can be contrasted with the latest Graduate Careers Council of Australia (GCCA) figures showing CQU well above the national average in job success of Australian students.

Professor Mienczakowski said the ratings showed that CQU could not be complacent but that it had plenty of positives to build on at a time of great change in the higher education sector.

* The top ratings for CQU are: Positive graduate outcomes; non-government earnings; international enrolments; cultural diversity; Indigenous participation; credit given for TAFE studies.

CQU Mackay scored a 5-star rating for its academic services for the second year in a row.