It would be interesting to do a composite ranking....
Take all the publications that rank universities (Money, Forbes, USNWR, etc) and average the rank. Then, look at SAT scores, average class size, number of colleges, average starting pay after graduation, cost of tuition and on and on.... and come up with a point system for universities. As for ranking by P5 conferences, a ranking needs to consider what percentage of programs are with a certain sport. For example, when Tech was in the Big East in the 1990s, only a small percentage of Tech would have been weighted toward the Big East ranking, a larger percentage to the A-10 and another small percentage to the East Coast Wrestling League (I think it was called).
A composite would be more beneficial than relying on one source that can easily be gamed. UVa and Tech drop significantly in Forbes but looked pretty good in Money magazine several years ago (not sure where they are now). I also have concern with schools that have been dropping like Pitt and schools like Clemson, FSU and NCSU skyrocketing in the USNWR. Most top 100 universities should only move a few spots a year IMO. When I see big moves like Clemson a few years ago and now FSU/NCSU, it makes me think those schools are gaming the system and playing with SAT and class size numbers to raise their profile.
I also noticed PSU has been dropping in the USNWR which is probably due to negative publicity. I know Tech was ranked much higher in the USNWR before we joined the ACC.
USNWR's rankings are a fun read, much like early season football rankings. I'm just not certain how much I trust them. But it's one of many rankings and it's popular to the public.
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In response to this post by HOO86)
Posted: 09/12/2017 at 6:06PM