Eager to start college and earn your degree? Before you may enroll or even begin submitting applications, you must decide which school(s) are worth your consideration.
These days, many prospective college students rely on widely published college ranking lists to inform their decision-making — but how useful and reliable are these lists, anyway?
With some insight into how these lists are compiled and some of the limitations of these rankings, prospective students may be prepared to make better-informed choices based on their unique needs when it comes time to start submitting college applications.
Key Takeaways
- College rankings reflect limited criteria like prestige, selectivity, and graduation rates—but often overlook important factors such as student support, affordability, and learning formats.
- Each ranking system uses its own methodology, which can lead to inconsistent results—and in some cases, schools may even attempt to manipulate rankings.
- Employers generally do not care about rankings. Employers often prioritize accredited degrees and real-world skills over college rankings.
- Students should focus on academic fit, support services, and outcomes rather than relying on rankings alone. Campus culture, faculty engagement, and job placement resources matter more.
- Use rankings as a starting point—not a deciding factor. Combine them with personal research, virtual tours, and trustworthy tools like College Scorecard and BigFuture for a well-rounded decision.
What is the Purpose of College Rankings, and How Have They Evolved Over Time?
According to a study published in The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, the history of college rankings dates back to the early twentieth century “as an academic exercise.” Over time, however, increasing competition between colleges across the country (and even across the globe) led to a rise in the perceived importance of these rankings.
In the book Rankings and the Reshaping of Higher Education: The Battle for World-Class Excellence, author Ellen Hazelkorn attributes the rise of college rankings to four main factors:
- The pursuit of talent on a global scale
- Increased importance of higher education in relation to the economy
- A gradual shift to an economy of “knowledge workers”
- More consumerist approaches to higher education by students (especially with more schooling options available)
Today, numerous sources have developed a reputation for publishing college rankings, with common examples including U.S. News and World Report, Times Higher Education, Forbes, and QS. The internet makes it easier than ever for prospective students to compare colleges and conduct in-depth research on potential programs — which has led to an increased reliance on these ratings in decision-making.
At the same time, because each authority establishes and follows its own guidelines in regard to ranking colleges, some schools or programs may rank higher in some lists than others. Still, college rankings continue to serve as a valuable tool for prospective students looking for programs that meet their specific criteria (such as best value, most prestigious, or other parameters).
What Do College Rankings Measure?
As mentioned, the major systems that conduct and publish college rankings have their own methodologies and criteria in place. However, some common criteria that may be considered when ranking colleges include:
- Academic reputation – Certain schools or programs may be preferred by top employers in their respective industries.
- Selectivity – Some programs may be more selective or have more rigorous admission requirements than others, which may be taken into account for certain rankings.
- Graduation rates – The percentage of students who enroll and go on to successfully graduate may also be of interest to some prospective students.
- Faculty credentials – Schools and programs vary regarding their faculty’s level of experience in their specific fields, so some may rank higher if they have professors and other faculty with proven experience and clout.
- Endowment – Some schools receive more endowment support than others, which may affect student opportunities (including research opportunities and financial aid).
- Cost/value – With many students pursuing more affordable degrees, some platforms rank schools or individual programs based on their overall value or cost-effectiveness. In ranking for cost/value, access to financial aid may be another key consideration.
U.S. News and World Report, for example, has publicly shared its methodology for ranking its popular list of “Best Colleges and Universities.” Specifically, schools meeting the “Best Colleges” eligibility requirements are ranked based on a series of weighted factors, with some of the most notable including:
- Graduation rates
- First-year retention rates
- Graduation rate performance
- Pell graduation rates
- Pell graduation performance
Other factors that may be taken into consideration range from average borrower debt and faculty salaries to peer assessment and performance on standardized tests.
As discussed in greater depth below, many college ranking systems rely heavily on factors like prestige, resources, and exclusivity. Meanwhile, it is important to note the limitations of available data and the potential for inconsistencies in methodology.
Do College Rankings Really Equal Prestige?
College rankings can have a major influence on prospective students’ decision-making when choosing a school. Often, the rankings published by U.S. News or Forbes are viewed as direct reflections of a school’s prestige and the quality of education delivered. Schools regularly ranked at the top could also lead potential students to believe that degrees from these schools will automatically lead to better opportunities after graduation.
There is undoubtedly an allure to “brand name” colleges and Ivy League schools when it comes to perceptions of social status and alumni networks. Some employers may even give deference to graduates from seemingly prestigious programs — but the rankings of a school are not always a reliable indicator of overall quality.
Likewise, many employers report focusing more on candidates’ demonstrated abilities and accredited degrees than on a school’s prestige or college rankings; recent national surveys highlight problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and applied learning as key signals in hiring.
Limitations and Criticisms of College Rankings
Although college rankings can serve as a reference point when researching schools and comparing colleges, in reality, there exist various limitations of using these lists as a standalone resource for such a pivotal life decision.
Consider the simple concept of a “reputation.” Many authorities these days use overall reputation as a major factor contributing to a school’s ranking. However, by nature, reputation is a nuanced and subjective concept that could mean different things to different people.
In addition, the truth behind school rankings is that institutions may take measures to manipulate rankings. For example, they might manipulate acceptance rates to make their programs seem more selective. Others may artificially inflate their standardized test scores by only requesting score reports from students with higher grade point averages.
While many schools are honest and maintain their integrity when it comes to college rankings, it only takes a few “bad apples” to significantly skew the results.
Another limitation to consider regarding college rankings is the simple fact that these methodologies often overlook factors that are also significant when students are making decisions about where to go to school. Some examples of considerations that formal ranking systems may neglect to assess include:
- Available learning formats (online, in-person, and/or hybrid)
- Teaching quality and professor engagement
- Student support services and mental health
- Diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
- Affordability and overall return on investment
At the end of the day, college rankings have the potential to be valuable but should not be relied upon entirely. This is because all students have different learning needs, and what works well for one student may not work well for another.
The Impact of Rankings on Students and Institutions
Along with acknowledging some of the limitations and criticisms of college rankings, prospective students should consider the impact that rankings may have on their own application decisions as well as the college experience as a whole.
For one, because so many ranking systems rely on application and admissions data as a key metric, there is inherent pressure on schools to boost these metrics rather than focusing on the quality of the education they offer. Over time, this pressure to improve metrics could have negative effects on other areas of the college experience that truly matter to students (like diversity and innovation in curriculum or support).
Moving Beyond Rankings: What Really Matters
Should prospective college students stop looking at rankings altogether? Not necessarily, but it may be time for them to broaden their understanding of what really matters when pursuing a higher education. Critical thinking is an essential part of succeeding not just in college, but in today’s competitive job market. Being able to assess and compare colleges on your own terms, you may move beyond ranking lists and find a school that fits your unique needs.
So, what should you be taking into consideration when deciding on a school? Among the most integral factors include:
- Academic fit (majors, research, and faculty interaction)
- Campus culture and student experience
- Online vs. on-campus learning environment
- Financial aid, affordability, and outcomes
- Access to internships, job placement, and alumni support
As you explore your options, remember that numerous reputable resources are available to guide your research. Some worth checking out include:
- College Scorecard
- Niche
- BigFuture (part of the College Board)
- Student Access and Earnings Visualization (Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education)
Meanwhile, sources like Reddit and YouTube are other places to connect and learn about the college experience from real students and alumni. Many schools these days also offer virtual tours in addition to in-person campus tours, which could help prospective students get a better feel for what to expect from the experience. Colleges’ social media accounts, websites, and other platforms may be a valuable resource in your search for the right school as well.
Building a Balanced College List: Prestige vs. Practicality
Still not sure exactly where to begin with building a list of potential colleges, then narrowing down that list? First and foremost, simply make a list of everything that is most important to you in your future school. If you are trying to accumulate as little student debt as possible, affordability may be a key factor. On the other hand, if you are looking forward to immersing yourself in the college experience, then a vibrant campus culture may be most essential.
Regardless, knowing what you are seeking in your ideal school may help you assess your options. From there, use a mix of the reputable sources (provided in the section above) and direct experience through campus visits (or virtual tours) or speaking with current students to pare down that list.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do employers really care about college rankings?
Generally speaking, many employers place greater weight on skills and accredited degrees than on institutional prestige or college rankings; recent surveys show problem-solving and teamwork among the most sought-after attributes, with strong emphasis on applied learning experiences
Are college rankings reliable or biased?
Although widely published college rankings may serve as a decent starting or reference point for deeper research, they are sometimes biased or even unclear about their methodologies used. In a worst-case scenario, some schools may manipulate their admissions or employ other practices to increase their rankings.
Are program-level rankings more accurate than overall rankings?
Rather than selecting a school based on its rankings alone, it may be more helpful to choose based on program-level rankings. Because these rankings may be less biased and less likely to be influenced by external factors, using program rankings as a means of narrowing down your options may be useful — but should still not be your only source of research.
What should I prioritize when choosing a college?
Ultimately, what is most valued to you in a school may not be as important to another student. Some common factors that matter to students when selecting a school include access to financial aid, campus size, program format offerings, and access to support services/resources.
How can I learn about campus culture without visiting in person?
There are numerous ways to learn about campus culture, even if you are unable to visit a campus in person. Schools now offer virtual tours, which help you get a sense of what the experience is like. With many schools also maintaining active social media accounts, photos, videos, and student testimonials on social media could serve as a resource to learn about a campus culture.
What are trustworthy alternatives to traditional rankings?
Beyond relying on college rankings alone to inform your decision, try using more objective sources (like BigFuture or College Scorecard) to help you find the right fit. Doing your own independent research by visiting a campus in person or even speaking directly with current or past students could also be highly informative.
The Bottom Line on College Rankings
The purpose of this article is not to discount college ranking lists as a resource for school research. Yet, it is crucial for students to understand the limitations of these ranking systems — and know how to confidently conduct their own research. In doing so, prospective students may exercise their critical thinking while recognizing that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to college.
No matter where you may stand in your college search, Post University offers a wide range of degree and certificate options to suit your needs. With more than 50 programs to choose from at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as online and on-campus formats, we take pride in the comprehensive support and personalized education we offer to every learner. Contact us to learn more about our program options or get the ball rolling with your online application for admission.
Thank you for reading! The purpose of this blog is to provide general information to the reader, and as such, this information may not directly relate to programs offered by Post University.
Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from enrolling in or graduating from any Post program.