The University of South Carolina slipped slightly in U.S. News & World Report’s latest college rankings released Wednesday.

In the 2013 report, the Palmetto State’s flagship university is ranked 115th among all schools, down four spots from a year ago, and 55th among public schools, down one position, according to information supplied by USC.

The school is analyzing why its rankings dropped but is pleased with some improving statistics.

“The important academic indicators (SAT scores as well as retention and graduation rates) clearly show that we continue to improve the quality of the education provided to our students,” USC Provost Michael Amiridis said in a statement. “The University of South Carolina and its faculty and student bodies are much better than the overall reputational ranking created by the U.S. News calculations, and I’m confident that our recent innovations ... will eventually have their impact and result in higher future rankings.”

South Carolina’s undergraduate international business major is ranked the nation’s best for the 16th consecutive year. Overall, the Darla Moore School of Business moved up two spots to 40th among business programs.

For a third year, South Carolina's Columbia campus is among “A-Plus Schools for B Students,” strong-rated universities that accept a significant number of applicants.

About six in 10 students are accepted at USC, according to U.S. News & World Report data. The school's student population stands at an all-time high, passing 30,000.

A pair of USC regional schools are ranked Nos. 1 and 2 among public regional colleges in the South. USC Aiken again took the top spot. USC Upstate rose one position to second. USC Beaufort remains eighth.

Clemson University's rankings remain the same from last year -- 68th overall nationally and 25th among public schools.

More rankings from the magazine's annual college issue will be released later Wednesday.