Students Say Rankings Aren't Most Important Factor in College Decision

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"Prospective students in the UCLA survey rated whether a college has a good academic reputation as being the No. 1 factor that influences their school choice, indicating their belief that a college's reputation matters a great deal. U.S. News's Best Colleges rankings measure the relative reputations of colleges and include this as an important factor."
True to form, words can be twisted to communicate a desired message. US News ranking using relative reputations, does not factor in an individual program compared to the same program amongst other institutions. As of last year, 25% of the US News ranking is based on peer reviews (i.e. university presidents and provosts opinions). Nothing as detailed as program rankings within say programs accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Accreditation (CCNE). If a student has a specific interest in a certain nursing program, US News ranking does not factor in that programs reputation. Only the institution as a whole and then its only a few peoples opinions sketched down during lunch. How much time do you think other presidents commit to the competition?

Peter of FL 4:56PM July 20, 2011

The survey existed for a long time before any rankings, and asked about academic reputation since 1966. Incoming students could rate it then, just as they can now.

John H. Pryor of CA 6:34PM January 28, 2011

Your headline/lead point seem disingenuous. Where do students get evidence about a school's academic "reputation"? Isn't that a codeword for rankings?

Skeptic of CA 5:42PM January 28, 2011

I have been a college consultant for more than twenty years and I would agree that in recent years students seem to be less concerned with the rankings and more concerned with finding a school that is a good fit for them. It isn't to say they ignore the rankings, nor do their parents, but it is just one factor that has some influence in their college decisions.
College Direction
http://www.collegedirection.org

Susie Watts of CO 10:18PM January 27, 2011