September 15, 2011
Each year, U.S. News & World Report releases rankings for the best colleges across the country, with the goal of helping families determine which schools will give them the best academic value for their money. This year, Hamilton College was ranked 17th among national liberal arts colleges. In addition to Hamilton’s change in rank—previously 18th in the same category—U.S. News has also made some changes in its methodology. For example, this is the first time that all regionally-accredited for-profit institutions that grant bachelor’s degrees have been included in the data collection; this includes many schools with online programs. In addition, several schools switched categories, while new schools have been included for the first time.
The criteria considered by U.S. News when ranking schools includes academic reputation (determined by academic peer assessment surveys), retention, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation rate performance and alumni giving rate. There are 16 total factors, and each is weighted differently. Although U.S. News strives to release accurate and fair rankings each year, detractors and skeptics invariably call the endeavor into question. Some believe that a frequently updated methodology makes it hard to compare schools year-to-year; others believe that a ranking system is simply irrelevant or misguided.
It is of note that Hamilton College does not officially report its rank; U.S. News’ award of “Number 17” will not appear on any admissions brochures or in Hamilton’s newsfeed. Many Hamilton students agree with this decision, given that the majority of students who actually attend the College doubt that it can be summed up in statistical analyses and personal surveys.
“These rankings are so subjective it is ridiculous,” said Rachel Ward ’12. “Ranking universities implies that every student desires the same atmosphere and experience, which is blatantly false.”
Julia Brimelow ’14 agreed that the perception of a college is unique to the individual. “At some point, almost all [liberal arts colleges] are the same; it is just what you do with the experience that makes your school superior to another,” she said. “If the powers that be wish to rank us as top 20 and not top 10, it is of no matter to me. My experience here has been better than my experience at my old college, [which was] ranked in the top five.”
Others students think that specific factors are causing Hamilton to be shortchanged in the rankings. “I think the U.S. News & World Report consistently underrates the strength of our professors,” said Janine Barlow ’13. “It doesn’t even place Hamilton on the list of colleges with most dedicated teachers, and I think that could be holding us back from our rightful position.”
In fact, according to The Huffington Post, Hamilton was recently ranked among the 10 colleges with the best professors. “Having ‘Top Ten Professors’ is one of the reasons why I came to Hamilton,” said Patrick English ’15. “I enjoy being taught by professors that are very passionate in their work and willing to help out whenever they can.”
Other lists Hamilton has made, such as the “happiest” and “horniest” colleges according to The Daily Beast, appear equally dubious to students, although they do purport to assess social factors that students say should also be considered alongside academics.
“These rankings reflect student body, not student performance. I think that ‘happiest’ and ‘horniest’ might hold some weight, but that only reflects the fact that we have a lively, active and real community,” said Brimelow.
An appropriate combination of academic and social factors can provide the best picture of a college, and what students experience on a day-to-day basis. This, according to Hamilton students, is what it means to earn a higher education on the Hill.
“I think academics [are] the most important factor when it comes to ranking,” said Katy Mastrocola ’13. “After that would be facilities, campus activities, research opportunities, financial aid, diversity, food and housing.”
“Ranking should be solely academic. However, student experience encompasses more than just academics. This is why rankings are misleading to students attempting to pick the ‘right fit’ school,” said Brimelow. “Just because one school is ranked higher does not ensure a better experience.”
Perhaps, then, the solution to the controversy surrounding U.S. News and similar rankings is to follow the College’s lead and ignore them all together.
“I think too many people base their college decisions on colleges prestige; you should choose your school based on how much you like it,” said Alison Turka ’12. On the other hand, prestige can have its place. “I think [Hamilton] should report rank because my guidance counselors in high school had no idea Hamilton even existed, in addition to most people I know in my small [suburb] outside of Boston,” said Mastrocola. “It is so frustrating to have to keep on explaining where Hamilton is, and that it’s actually a good school.”
According to Adam Gwilliam ’15, “Rank is interesting, but ultimately negative, in my opinion. This invalidates other schools and learning styles and curriculum. Just because you didn’t go to the highest rated school doesn’t mean you won’t love it and have a great education.”