(07-22-2014 09:08 AM)BeliefBlazer Wrote: All of these University rankings have flaws. People seem to put the most stock into whichever ranking has their favorite University the highest.
Not necessarily, because I would just default to Washington Monthly, which ranked W&M at #24 in 2013, rather than USNWR, which put W&M at #32. Washington Monthly puts too much emphasis on public service and "social mobility." USNWR has a better methodology for ranking an institution all-around (
http://www.usnews.com/education/best-col...rankings).
Also, USNWR doesn't quite have the same bias toward tech schools that a lot of the other rankings tend to have when they start including research dollars, etc. They are also willing to adjust their criteria following feedback and reflection (without always bending to the fickleness of public opinion).
All rankings are to be taken for what they are, however:
Several schools won't actively participate in the rankings (see Charlotte) and still manage to get ranked despite that. For the record, I wish we did participate, because I think it only hurts the alumni and students when people don't know that by just looking at the rankings.
People need to understand that a school can be ranked 300th but still have the third-best program in a particular area (and, oppositely, 10th, but the specific program is ranked 65th).
Lastly, particular fit, geography, and cost of an institution should also be a major driving factor. Sure, that ODU kid could've gone to Georgetown, but ODU might be closer, fit his personality better, and, ultimately, save him a helluva lot of money for a good education.
It all depends on how the individual weighs these factors and whether someone is thinking about return on investment (I'm not paying full price, out-of-state at Michigan to be an elementary school teacher in South Carolina).
The rankings are merely one way to inform your decision, but are only your surface level research when trying to select a college or university.
