Before we get into our article, the first thing you need to know is that we’re not telling you to ignore college rankings. What we are saying is that you need to know what the college rankings site you are looking at takes into account.
For example, U.S. News (arguably the most well-known college ranking source) was very transparent this year in the factors used to tally the rankings. However, even with such a list, you may find that the following holds true:
- Rankings don’t usually weigh affordability as high as a student or family would
- The quality of your personal education at a university will depend on the program you select, not how well the university performs overall
- Some rankings may be influenced financially – be sure to vet the rating system and require transparency
- Many of the factors that go into college rankings have little to do with the quality of the education the school offers – they are focused more on amenities and overall track record
- A good ranking doesn’t guarantee the school is a good fit for your personal wants and needs
- Each ranking site determines its own criteria, and it’s not possible for each ranking list to be valuable to you – you need to know what they are basing the rank on
Get the College Admissions Support You Need
College Planning Source is here to help! Get in touch today by calling 858.676.0700, or you can request your one-on-one assessment via our website. We look forward to helping you plan for your education.
