- Academic reputation: This is based on surveys of scholars and administrators who are familiar with the university’s academic programs.
- Faculty resources: This includes factors such as the number of faculty members, their qualifications, and their research productivity.
- Student outcomes: This includes factors such as graduation rates, job placement rates, and salaries of graduates.
- Financial resources: This includes factors such as the university’s endowment, operating budget, and tuition costs.
Methodology Behind the Rankings
There are a number of different organizations that publish university rankings. Some of the most well-known rankings include the U.S. News & World Report, the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and the ShanghaiRanking Academic Ranking of World Universities.
Each organization uses its own unique methodology to compile its rankings. However, most rankings use a combination of the factors described above.
