After two years of slipping, Kansas University moved up two spots in this year’s Best Colleges rankings, published by U.S. News and World Report magazine.

KU was ranked 42nd among public universities, up from 44th last year. But the university still is behind its rank of 41st in 2002.

The rankings are one of several cited by Chancellor Robert Hemenway in his goal of KU becoming a top-25 public research university.

KU remained tied for 90th place in U.S. News and World Report rankings that include both public and private universities.

Also, KU’s School of Business was tied for 48th in the nation and its School of Engineering ranked 74th.