For the second year in a row, UNLV ranks as one of the nation's most popular universities.

An analysis released this week by U.S. News & World report lists UNLV as the 12th most popular national university according to yield - the rate of students who apply to a school and end up enrolling. UNLV also came in at 12th on the list last year, and ranked 25th in 2011.

The publication annually ranks the nation's top universities in a variety of categories, and for this ranking used fall 2011 entering class information. According to the report, yield is an important indicator of how students rate their college choice; a higher yield meaning students value being admitted to the school.

"UNLV is pleased to once again rank as one of the most popular universities in the nation," said UNLV President Neal Smatresk. "UNLV's national and international reputation continues to grow as evidenced by the fact that more students than ever are making UNLV their first choice."

Of the 4,746 students accepted at UNLV in the fall of 2011, 2,870 enrolled for a yield of 60.5 percent. The average yield was 36 percent for the 266 schools included in the U.S. News & World Report ranking.

"This represents a combination of our recruitment efforts and the evolution of the university and the campus community," said Shannon Goodman, interim associate vice president for enrollment and student services at UNLV. "We are proud of this ranking because as a university we've worked hard to advance our curriculum, services and facilities to attract a high caliber, diverse student population. I believe this is evidenced by a greater proportion of our admitted students choosing to be Rebels."

U.S. News & World Report also recognized UNLV's online master's degree in nursing as one of the top 20 online graduate programs, and last year ranked the university among the nation's most diverse colleges for undergraduates.

UNLV was also recently named a military friendly campus by G.I. Jobs Magazine and was touted as the top hospitality management program for minority students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education Magazine.

Related Link: U.S. News & World Report 2013 list of the most popular national universities.