Several Western New York colleges and universities have something to boast about from the annual rankings by U.S. News and World Report.

Each year, the publication looks at more than 1,400 schools, offering a research tool to prospective students and parents. The 2010-11 rankings in multiple categories can be found on newsstands or online at www.usnews.com.

The State University of New York College at Geneseo again fared well, placing second among the Top Public Universities list for the North Region. It also ranks 12th in the Best Regional Universities category for the same region, which combines public and private institutions.

SUNY Geneseo was first among four North Region universities identified as having a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching. It's one of 86 schools from the four regions of the country on the list, contained in the magazine's 2011 rankings of the nation's top colleges and universities.

SUNY Fredonia ranked 10th among the top public universities in the North, improving four places over its 2009 listing. In the larger category of both public and private institutions in the North, Fredonia tied for 46th out of the top tier of the best 126 Regional Universities, which the magazine defines as those offering bachelor's and master's degrees. This represents an increase of five places over its 2009 rankings.

In a category examining costs, the University at Buffalo and Binghamton University are the only two in New York state, public or private, to make the publication's list of schools where students graduate with the least amount of debt, SUNY said.

Canisius College earned its highest ranking in college history with the 20th spot in the top tier among America's Best Colleges, Regional Universities-North, officials said. It moved up one position from the previous ranking. Canisius also was listed in the Great Schools, Great Prices category for regional universities in the North.

Scholarship and aid packages have earned St. Bonaventure University the No. 9 ranking for best college values in the North. Bona officials noted the average financial aid and scholarship package for an incoming freshman is more than $22,000.

Its high ranking on the Great Schools, Great Prices list correlated to its high overall rating in the category for Northern colleges that offer master's degrees. St. Bonaventure ranked No. 29 out of 172 institutions, placing it in the top 17 percent.

Also, Houghton College placed 137th in the top tier of Best National Liberal Arts Colleges, one of only 14 member schools of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities to be ranked.