Students find themselves overwhelmed by several program offerings. The lack of transparency in college rankings can lead to misguided choices, resulting in financial burdens or less-than-ideal academic quality. We’re sharing this college scorecard from our ranking methodology to help you make well-informed decisions that align with your academic and career goals.

Ranking Methodology for College Guides

These ranking methodologies consider various factors, such as academic reputation, affordability, return on investment, and career prospects, to provide a comprehensive assessment of each college or university. Understanding the ranking methodology is beneficial for prospective students seeking to make informed decisions about their higher education journey.

Jerome L. Rekart, Ph.D. a former Vice President of Research and Insights at Southern New Hampshire University, explains,

“College rankings are a helpful way to think about how others, including potential employers, may view degrees earned from various institutions. There are thousands of degree-granting institutions in the United States, so rankings can provide a useful rule of thumb for comparing colleges against one another. Rankings are useful to help potential students narrow down a list of schools to consider.”

The guides aim to help prospective students find the right educational fit by providing reliable and objective college rankings. Our ranking methodology focuses on the areas that matter most to students, such as academic quality, affordability, and earning potential after graduation.

Ranking Factors	Metrics
Academic quality	Student-to-faculty and full-time faculty ratios, graduate and retention rates
Program offerings	Percentage of degrees offered, percentage of online enrollment
Reputation	Admission and enrollment rates, average earnings of students in the workforce
Affordability	Net price for financial aid, average loan rate, percentage of students awarded grants, scholarships, and financial support, and median debt

1. Metrics for Academic Quality

At the heart of every college guide lies a carefully crafted ranking methodology that evaluates institutions based on criteria. These ranking factors, such as the student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rates, and retention rates, comprehensively assess the institution’s educational rigor and student success.

• The student-to-faculty ratio is a significant factor in college rankings. It reflects the level of individual attention and small class sizes that benefit students’ learning experiences. Online colleges with lower ratios prioritize personalized instruction.
• The proportion of full-time faculty ratio evaluates the institution’s investment in its educational staff. I’ve observed how higher ratios indicate a stronger commitment to quality teaching. This contrasts with the heavy dependence on adjuncts, assistants, or part-time faculty to teach students.
• Graduation rate is a key metric for academic quality in college rankings. A low graduation rate could signal issues with the school’s educational support systems or program offerings, making it challenging for students to earn their degrees within six years.
• The retention rate measures the percentage of first-year students who continue into their second year. It reflects student satisfaction, the effectiveness of the college’s support services, and investment in student success, which is especially important for online colleges.

Whether aiming for graduate education or a bachelor’s degree program, having a solid student-to-faculty ratio, academic member presence, and support system can deliver high-quality academics.

2. Metrics for Program Offerings

The breadth of online undergraduate academic programs and online enrollment numbers reflect the institution’s commitment to distance learning and its ability to meet the unique needs of remote students. Whenever evaluating program offerings, combine these metrics to assess academic quality in online education.

• The percentage of degrees offered indicates the institution’s focus and expertise in specific levels of higher education, such as a bachelor’s degree or master’s program. This can impact the weight academic quality carries for those degree types.
• The percentage of students enrolled in online program offerings highlights the size of the distance learning community. This suggests the level of institutional support and resources dedicated to effectively teaching students in an online environment.
• General online enrollment reflects the institution’s commitment to online education. Larger enrollments often signify a more substantial investment in faculty members, resources, and infrastructure to meet the unique needs of remote learners.

For online program rankings specifically, these metrics related to online offerings and enrollment provide valuable insights into the institution’s capacity to deliver high-quality virtual education experiences.

3. Metrics for Reputation

Metrics like admission rates, enrollment rates of accepted students, and average post-graduation earnings contribute to an institution’s reputation. These factors significantly influence academic quality in college and online program rankings.

• The admission rate is a ranking factor for evaluating a school’s reputation and selectivity. It often correlates with academic quality and future earnings potential for graduates.
• The enrollment rate reflects the desirability and appeal of an institution’s program offerings. A higher rate indicates that more accepted students rely on that school as their top choice.
• The average earnings of students working after graduation provide a tangible measure of the return on investment for attendees. This is a valuable consideration since many students rely on higher education to increase their earning potential.

These metrics are combined to help assess an institution’s reputation. Students often prioritize this key ranking factor when evaluating academic quality.

4. Metrics for Affordability and Federal Student Loans

Several factors relate to student borrowing, including the average net price after financial aid, loan default rates, reliance on federal loans, and student debt. These provide insights into the cost of attendance and the long-term financial burden for students pursuing online graduate affordability or traditional degrees.

• The average net price for students awarded financial aid is a better indicator of affordability than posted tuition rates, as it accounts for financial aid. A low average net price signifies an affordable option, especially for online enrollment.
• The average loan default rate reflects graduates’ ability to secure employment and repay loans. A high rate may indicate a lack of job prospects, while a low rate suggests vital workforce preparation, an important factor for online programs.
• Balancing the percentage of undergraduate students awarded federal student loans and the average amount of student loans awarded provides insights into student loan reliance, which can indicate the cost of attendance.
• The combination of the percentage of full-time first-time undergraduates awarded any financial aid and the average amount of grant and scholarship aid awarded highlights the institution’s commitment to financial assistance. It can potentially reduce median student debt and increase affordability for online and traditional programs.
• The median debt for students is a direct measure of the financial burden incurred by graduates. In analyzing financial aid, a lower median debt indicates a more affordable educational experience, particularly for the academic quality of online enrollment.

Data Sources and Education Statistics

Reputable college rankings rely on data sources from trusted organizations to evaluate institutions accurately. When assessing online programs specifically, rankings may also incorporate data from sources focused on distance education. Our data comes from a few trusted sources:

• National rankings: Most commonly, we consider the U.S. News & World Report rankings as they are the most influential and generally considered the most reliable. Occasionally, as for specialized lists, other national rankings, such as Businessweek, the Princeton Review, and Forbes, may be consulted.
• Payscale.com: The leading online source of data for starting salaries, ROI, and average salaries, Payscale.com has proven its commitment to accuracy and precision.
• IPEDS: The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System is the public database for the NCES (National Center for Education Statistics), the federal agency charged with collecting, analyzing, and distributing information about colleges, universities, and technical schools in the US.
• Primary research: We assiduously fact-check and verify the college rankings by scouring the public websites of the colleges and universities we consider. Because even the most trusted sources can have errors or out-of-date information, we take on the responsibility of checking that the information in our rankings is as accurate as possible. 

We analyze data from these sources according to our own proprietary formulas to determine which institutions meet the Value Colleges mark – affordability, reputation, and return.

Methodology Purpose

The mission of Value Colleges is to provide prospective students with a practical, thorough guide to the most financially sound investments in higher education degrees. 

Our rankings, FAQs, and Cheap Lists are designed to inform students of the real costs and benefits of college education and direct them to the colleges and universities that will provide the most advantageous balance of price, marketability, and return on investment.

By considering over a dozen metrics, including retention rate, student debt, and average earnings after enrolling, the rankings offer comprehensive information to guide students’ decision-making process. The methodology highlights several key factors:

• Academic quality: Metrics like the retention rate or graduation rate assess the institution’s academic rigor and support for student success.
• Program offerings: The range of available programs, particularly online enrollment options. In this way, the college rankings capture the diverse educational pathways students may pursue.
• Affordability: Factors such as net price, reliance on federal loans, and median student debt provide insights into the cost of attendance and long-term financial implications.
• Earning potential: Average earnings after enrolling help evaluate the potential return on investment and career prospects associated with attending a particular institution.

Our guides regularly use updated rankings to reflect the ever-changing landscape of education. As a result, current and relevant information can guide students in weighing program offerings and online enrollment options.

Editor-In-Chief: Aya Andrews

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American.

Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students. Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. 

She brings this same professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping her students achieve their full potential. In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. 

She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, community, and family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

Related Questions

What Are the Methods of University Ranking Systems?

University ranking systems employ various methods to evaluate and rank colleges based on factors like academic excellence, affordability, and post-graduation outcomes. These college rankings typically consider a combination of data sources, including student outcomes, expert opinions, and statistical measures of institutional quality.

How Do They Determine College Rankings?

College ranking organizations typically use a weighted methodology that assigns different levels of importance to various factors. They heavily weight academic quality measures, such as student selectivity, faculty member resources, and graduation rates, while also considering factors like reputation surveys, research output, and financial resources.

What Are the Different School Ranking Methods?

In addition to university rankings, many organizations provide specific online program rankings that evaluate the academic quality and value of an institution’s online offerings. These methodologies often emphasize factors relevant to online education, such as student engagement, support services, and technological infrastructure.

Conclusion

By understanding the ranking factors college guides use, students can confidently navigate the college selection process, guaranteeing they choose an institution that offers the best academic quality for their investment. This knowledge helps identify colleges that align with their academic, financial, and employment needs.

Related:

It’s Application Time: a How-to Guide

How to Get the Most Value out of Your College Experience