US News 2022-2023 National University Rankings

Appears the new rankings are out. Per usual with rankings posts, we know that not everyone enjoys rankings.

https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities

 

I am not a fan of rankings but I always check USNRW. I also checked today. They always come under fire when they release any new ranking, and today was no exception. Anyway, some schools moved up, others moved down.

One notable mention was Columbia's drop from #3 to #18. Columbia claimed they were using an outdated methodology. Yes, right! They didn't know it was outdated until a professor exposed their inflated data. I am sure more schools are doing this.

Others I was interested to see were:
UT (Knoxville) went from 103 to 115.
U Memphis went from 249 to 263.
TN Tech went from 277 to 285.

 

I figured Columbia would drop due to their "scandal". On one hand, I was shocked they dropped to #18 and on the other hand I was shocked they only dropped to #18 and not lower.

 

Quacquarelli Symonds also release Global ranking, Imperial College London is ranked #6 among CalTech.

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world-university-rankings/2023

 

Here are your real rankings:

1. Schools with a national reputation (often for non-academic reasons);
2. Everyone else, except....
3. Infamous schools (often for non-academic reasons).

Exceptions in niches, as always.

 

Despite Years of Criticism, the U.S. News College Rankings Live On


https://www.yahoo.com/news/despite-years-criticism-u-news-184821692.html

 

Columbia whistleblower on exposing college rankings: ‘They are worthless’

"Thaddeus began digging into the numbers as Columbia celebrated its stunning rise in the rankings from 18th in 1988. It broke into the top five in 2011 and eventually made second place last year."

So, Columbia went from 18 in 1988 and back to 18, 34 years later.. haha!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/16/columbia-whistleblower-us-news-rankings-michael-thaddeus

 

While the fine granular ranking is questionable, there is difference in the academic quality of the students between those attending the top 20 versus those attending ranked in the 60ish, on average of course. When I was attending a top 60ish one, I did not have to work hard to get to the top of the class. However, I had to work much harder when I attended one in the top 20.
Of course, the quality of teaching is another story as the top ones focus a lot more on research and publication.

 

I looked at the "Best Colleges in Florida" page on their website. The order below top 25% or so may as well be random.