US News & World Report 2010 College Rankings
Saw on the front page of yahoo this morning that the US News and World Report College rankings came out.
Michigan checks in at no. 27 Nationally and no. 4 among public Universities.
I'm not sure how many of you actually care but our friends in Columbus were no. 53 and 18(public only). Michigan State, 46 and 29. Then Notre Dame was ranked ahead of us at 20th.
Linky: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/national-un…
August 20th, 2009 at 8:36 AM ^
I wonder why Michigan drops every year. When I was there, we were #20.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:46 AM ^
Admitting too many 3 star students.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:46 AM ^
But we're right for the system! We're just undersized.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:18 AM ^
True, and next year, we might take another hit in the rankings: Justin Feagin, who was doing some very exciting, promising work in the field of interstate marketing, has been lured away to another institution. The undergrad business programs cannot afford to lose bright lights like this and still maintain a high ranking.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:49 AM ^
Yeah, no kidding. It seems like every year we drop at least one slot.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:38 AM ^
same here (I think we were in the same class or close to) - 20 or 21 when I started, 23 or so when I left, and steady drop off since. Some schools (Wash U) do cater their academic programs to meeting the US News criteria (Wash U is actually refreshingly honest about doing so), but I assume things like grad giving rate and student-teacher ratio will always be tough hurdles for UM to hop over. 42.1% is also the highest acceptance rate in the top 27 (i.e, UM).
The only thing I cared about the USN rankings for was the academic rep - not sure what they are as I'm not a USN subscriber.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:28 PM ^
Note that this is our overall ranking, which takes into account (among others) the alumni giving rate, which fluctuates a lot but is generally outside the top 100. If you just look at our academic rating, it's almost always around 15th in the country.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:46 AM ^
The scoring system is extremely biased towards smaller, private schools. Wash U #12??
August 20th, 2009 at 9:10 AM ^
That's not the best example you could have given. That's a fantastic school and larger than half of the schools that "rank" ahead of them.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:59 AM ^
Wash U is a good school and they were actually in my top 3 when choosing where to go for undergrad.
But I think you are missing the point. Can you say they are clearly head and shoulders above schools like Michigan, Cal, and UVA? I frankly wouldn't put them on par with any of those schools.
August 20th, 2009 at 1:28 PM ^
I think it's fair. From what I understand the perception of the quality of Michigan's undergraduate program, whether right or wrong, has taken a hit in recent years.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:57 AM ^
Slightly OT -Slowly, I believe they have plans to renovate all the dorms (South/West Quad and North being last). Although I don't see this listed in how the scores are calculated, I figure it can't hurt.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:15 PM ^
Have to imagine it'll be sometime before they renovate north, as it hasn't been built yet.
August 20th, 2009 at 3:59 PM ^
north campus.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:16 PM ^
Ah yes, that makes way more sense.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:01 AM ^
MSU checks in at #71; their "score" was a 46.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:25 AM ^
Very interesting to see tOSU as high as they are, especially in the Big Ten. Also surprised to see MSU 10th of 11 schools. You talk to a Sparty and they will tell you they are one of the top 3 or 4 schools in the Big Ten.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:28 PM ^
Well I mean yeah, you wouldn't expect them to say, hey, I go to an academic lightweight that no one outside of the state cares about.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:40 AM ^
I love U of M sports and especially football, but the academic ranking is actually more important to me than any sports team. I am extremely disappointed we continually slide in ranking each year. We were in the teens and the #2 public U when I was there. And when they broke down the different categories we were the 7th ranked college overall in academics (some of the things that go into the ranking will always hurt us, like money per student and faculty per student). This sucks.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^
It is still good to see all Big Ten schools within the top 30 (albeit with some funky math for ties).
I just scanned the list, but I think that the SEC has two.
All the California schools will slip next year, as their cuts are as deep as Michigan's, but without the massive endowment to offset the pain. Their endowment for the entire state system is smaller than UM's.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:03 AM ^
It looks as tho every single one continues to drop however - I don't have the specific numbers but when I was in school I remember even OSU being well within the top 50 and they were like #7 in my major (ME). Are we sure US News and World Report isn't partly owned by CBS?? ;)
August 20th, 2009 at 9:56 AM ^
I don't see why any one here cares. I didn't, and none of you probably did either then, go to U of M. Real students don't post about football. Only like 5 people get in every year.
This is just another example of how the Mighty Godriguez has been a terrible anchor on Michigan in his tenure here. I know TDoR will attack me, but I'm just speaking truth. I'm sorry you can't handle it.
I'm going to go drink and beat my wife.
August 20th, 2009 at 9:58 AM ^
douchebag.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:34 AM ^
I see how it is. Someone finally starts posting with the juevos to speak the truth, and the name calling, mud slinging, tarring, feathering, diddling, prostate touching, felching, and accusations of doucheness start flying. You're probably one of those little WLA kidz that think Michigan can do no wrong.
Ridiculous.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:44 AM ^
isn't cool. Not even to joke about. Therefore, you're a douche.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:01 AM ^
Spoken like a true lady-boy that hasn't been married, yet. Just wait, junior, when you grow up and become a big boy you'll understand. Sometimes you just have to smack that ugly bitch for ruining your life full of promise and forcing you to work from home filling out surveys during the day while taking classes with kids half your age at night at the local Juco in a desperate attempt to find a profession where you can actually get hired.
Marriage is a three ring circus: an engagement ring, a wedding ring, and suffering.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:43 AM ^
Nothing to see here...IJJS
August 20th, 2009 at 10:50 AM ^
What does that mean, hombre?
It's Just Juice, Silly?
I Jockey Juggalos Saturday?
Insight Justified, Justice Served?
Intelligent John, Just Smart?
I will assume it's a compliment and that you aren't some sort of Kool-Aid swigging adolescent.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:20 PM ^
If you're not seeing the fact the Duke here is a parody then wow.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:06 AM ^
I didn't know that the Columbus Pizza Hut had internet. Shouldn't you be attending to some sort of delicious buffet?
August 20th, 2009 at 11:13 AM ^
This "Duke of Discharge" will eventually be banned
Like a worthless employee, inevitably canned
He's nothing but a troll
His schtick isn't even droll
Nobody believes you have a wife - enjoy your hand
August 20th, 2009 at 11:25 AM ^
Nobody believes you have a wife - enjoy your hand
Fitting that into your limerick? Fantastic.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:30 AM ^
Limericks, huh? You WLA Kidz think you are so awesome. How creative. Maybe next you can write a sonnet?
I'm sorry someone hear has the nuts to bring up some criticisms and you can't handle it. It's pathetic, really. While you young kids are sitting around talking about football and having fun, MICHIGAN IS LOSING GAMES. You know the last time we won a game? November of 2008. That's pathetic. We should never go more than SIX MONTHS without a victory?
I'm just asking the question everyone wants an answer to - when is GODRIGUEZ going to WIN? That's what we were promised, and so far I'm seeing nothing but losses. Is he going to win soon? Huh? Tell me, freaks. This place is RIDICULOUS.
Maybe when you grow up and get fired a few times and divorced and sit through some court proceedings you can understand just what being a REAL MAN is all about. I'm not even sure GODRIGUEZ is a real man yet.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:37 AM ^
All your life experience doesn't matter for shit, in my eyes. Firings and divorce are facts of life for some people, get used to it and get over it. You haven't seen anything truly horrible in this world.
Also, troll elsewhere
August 20th, 2009 at 11:45 AM ^
negative points for this, classy
go read over previous posts of mine if you don't know what I mean by not experiencing "truly horrible" things. I'm not pouring out that story again.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:03 PM ^
"Barking Sphincter" = "King of Belch" = "The Duck of Discharge" ?
August 20th, 2009 at 1:57 PM ^
Being a real man is about doing your job so poorly you get fired?
Being a real man is about making such a bad decision in spouses that you get divorced?
Being a man is doing something to cause you to have to sit through court proceedings?
I must not be a real man. Never had a problem at a job.
Not foreseeing a divorce in my future. Never been in court.
August 20th, 2009 at 2:04 PM ^
Sure, keep deluding yourself. You just don't speak the TRUTH to those in power like I do. I tell Godriguez what I think about him. I tell Sailboat Bill what I think about him. I tell my boss that if I want to jerk it to giraffe porn in my cube, I will. Then I tell the guy in charge of the fry-o-lator that if I want to slip my phone number into Happy Meals that I will do that if I want. I tell my wife that if she doesn't shut up I'll hit her, and if she doesn't like it, I'll put it in her butt and then kick her out the door when I'm done.
See, I'm a MAN. I drink beer. I like to let you know I drink beer. I like to do things my way. Sometimes that makes me what prudes like you consider a failure. I'm just sorry you are too weak to stand up for yourself.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:24 AM ^
One thing that is unique about Michigan, at #4, is that not until #15 do you see a school that has the stature in terms football that Michigan does. Yes Cal, UCLA, Illinois, and Wisconsin are in the top 10, but UM is heads and shoulders above them in terms of football programs (yes, we had a down year, but I mean over the long term). Not until Florida and Texas at #15 do you see schools with football programs that compare.
EDIT: realized I was looking at the public-only rankings
August 20th, 2009 at 10:09 AM ^
Eh, these rankings always felt somewhat arbitrary. Since I applied to the school in the late 90's, UM has been ranked between 23rd and 27th, usually with some ties with other public institutions. As long as UM remains relatively the same - in close proximity to other top public institutions like UNC, UCLA, Cal, etc., then I'm fine with how these rankings fall out. I think it is telling that in non-US World Rankings, UM is consistently rated higher than many of the institutions listed above us. People know UM is a good school, and I don't think they need a ranking to validate that.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:10 AM ^
I thought I read somewhere that the US News Rankings are somewhat biased against public schools because of the weight they give to alumni giving/donations (I think the metric the rankings use is something along the lines of % of living alums who donate). In general, large, state universities have a smaller percentage of alums who donate than smaller, private schools.
I don't know to what extent US News weighs that factor, but it might provide some explanation as to why Michigan (and the other top public schools) is always hovering in the mid-20s when it appears to be competitive academically with many of the schools listed in the teens. (That last statement is based upon my clearly biased perception of UM as compared to many of the schools listed above it; no actual research or analysis went into said statement.)
August 20th, 2009 at 10:16 AM ^
Don't get too concerned with these rankings, it has been shown time and time again that schools "game" the system and find ways to improve their score without actually being a better school. The fact that they even attempt to compare large public universities and smaller private universities is absurd. They are different animals and really shouldn't find themselves in the same ranking system (for the record, I don't think this actually hurts the big schools as much as some might think).
The best indicator of the quality of the school is the quality of the student body. This isn't always so, but generally the better a student body's average SAT score and GPA, generally the harder the average student has to work, and the better education one receives. I haven't looked at the rankings lately, but I would assume that Michigan is still better than its peers in this metric.
Instead of fretting over lowered rankings, your time is better spent bashing the US News & World Report as the coach's poll of institutional rankings.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:18 AM ^
1) has Georgetown always been that popular? its acceptance rate is surprisingly low to me.
2) i want to raise my kids in North Carolina. $5400 in-state for a top 30 school.
August 20th, 2009 at 12:31 PM ^
UNC is consistently rated the best value college. If I wasn't on scholarship at UM, I would be at UNC. It is the only top-tier school that is affordable for almost everyone. That is what a PUBLIC school should be.
August 20th, 2009 at 10:56 AM ^
USNWR is writing for a very specific audience. Their metrics innately skew against large public schools, and they are mostly input-based evaluations (admissions yield, HS GPA, etc.), as opposed to output-based (placement rates, employer satisfaction, acceptances to Masters/PhD programs, etc.)
On a more results-oriented evaluation, Michigan is the #18 school in the world, and #13 overall in the US. The US schools ahead of us are the usual suspects - we are the #1 US public school. The non-US schools are Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial College London, University College London and Australian National University.
http://www.topuniversities.com/university_rankings/results/2008/overall…
August 20th, 2009 at 11:09 AM ^
we're #18 globally according to london-based times higher education, too:
http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/hybrid.asp?typeCode=243&pubCode=1…
August 20th, 2009 at 11:35 AM ^
This is kind of like when people decide to say Rivals is better than Scout when Rivals ranks our players higher.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:44 AM ^
While I don't disagree that you like rankings that jive with your own beliefs, I have always heard that you should take the USNWR rankings with a huge grain of salt. For a couple of years when I really cared about this stuff (in high school and early college), they flipped the top school 3 times in like 5 years. Their ranking system has been attacked by a number of people, and if you look at some of the schools ranked above and below UM, you wonder how they wound up where they did.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:57 AM ^
Not just because Mich is ranked higher, but because the schools ranked ahead of us are actually better or comparable to a lot of our programs.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:50 AM ^
Some of the schools ranked ahead of Michigan have lower-ranked programs in almost all popular/prestigous majors. For example, Emory and Vanderbilt have lower ranked BBA, MBA, MD, law, engineering, and education I believe, yet are still like 10 spots higher.
I can't find 3 majors/programs that USN&WR rank where Michigan is not in the top 15, but we are somehow ranked #27... I'm calling bullshit