College Rankings: Are they helpful?
Filed Under Education |
There is no doubt about it, earning a college degree requires a significan investment of time and money. For some students, it can be six years and $300,000. That is why selecting the right college is so important. And, that is why numerous magazines and college guides take the time to rank colleges and universities.
High ranking colleges may gain increased recognition in the corporate world, resulting in their graduates being in greater demand. And, students at highly ranked colleges may develop greater pride in their institutions and increased confidence in themselves.
Rankings may be based on several factors, including the average starting salaries of graduates, admissions selectivity, the level of alumni donations, and reputation among educational peers.
Colleges and universities like Yale, Princeton, Harvard, Michigan, and Berkeley nearly always fare well in surveys because of the accomplishments of their faculty and alumni, their highly selective admissions policies, and the large endowments, which enable them to fund programs, facilities, and scholarships at the highest levels.
College rankings attempt to measure an institution’s ability to maintain high standards and deliver the kind of quality education which allows students to realize their full potential. To the extent that they are able to measure those characteristics, they can be very helpful to prospective students and their families.
Because not all publishers focus on the same criteria, and no publications ever agree with each other entirely, students should not rely on the conclusions of one publication alone. And, they should remember that their feelings about colleges…and their comfort levels with each…are a very important consideration. The top ranked college for which a student qualifies for admission may not be his/her best choice for any number of reasons.
All too many students choose a college without doing the necessary research. As you might imagine, such students are far less likely to earn a degree than those whose searches are more focused and more diligent.
As I am certain you know, blindly accepting any publication’s opinions is not a good strategy. Evaluate the accuracy of everything you read and hear about colleges, and recognize that the answer to the question of which college is best for you can not be found inside of a magazine or a college guide. Making a good college choice requires a lot of research and a good deal of careful consideration. But, that does not mean that you should ignore rankings.
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