College and University Rankings
Last updated on November 20, 2009
College and university rankings have received a good deal of attention in recent years. While the media outlets and other organizations that develop these rankings often collect useful data, controversy has arisen over how that data is aggregated and weighted to create a final ranking.
In some cases, those methods have changed from year to year, causing an institution’s ranking to rise or fall with little change in the underlying data. Prospective students and parents should consider rankings in that context, and look beyond them to the university’s academic program, culture and opportunities for enrichment. A successful education depends more on finding an institution that best fits a student’s needs and goals than upon any statistical formula.
Recent Rankings
Forbes.com/Center for College Affordability and Productivity; The Best Colleges in the Midwest (November 18, 2009)
Kiplinger best values in private universities 2009-2010 (November 5, 2009)
Times Higher Education/QS World University Rankings (October 2009)
U.S. News & World Report; America’s Best Colleges 2010 (August 19, 2009)
- National universities rankings
- A strong commitment to teaching undergraduates
U.S. News; Best Graduate Schools (April 2009)
Global Language Monitor; University Rankings (April 2009)
Times Higher Education/QS World University Rankings (October 2008)
U.S. News & World Report; America's Best Colleges 2009 (August 2008)
Forbes.com/Center for College Affordability and Productivity; America's Best Colleges (August 2008)
Princeton Review; The Best 368 Colleges (July 2008)
Forbes Magazine; National University Rankings (May 2008)
U.S. News & World Report; America's Best Graduate Schools 2009 (March 2008)
Business Week; Business School Rankings & Profiles (February 2008)
Financial Times; Global Business School Rankings (January 2008)
Peace Corps; Volunteer Rankings Among Small Colleges/Universities (January 2008)
Times Higher Education Supplement; World University Rankings (November 2007)
Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive; Business School Survey (September 2007)
Economist Intelligence Unit; MBA Rankings (September 2007)
Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities (August 2007)
The Washington Monthly College Rankings; National Universities (September 2006)
PhDs.org; Graduate School Guide
Noteworthy Rankings Coverage
USA Today: “Beyond the College Rankings” (November 2007)
University of Chicago Magazine: “News You can Abuse” (October 2001)