by our College Data Analytics TeamThe goal of the College Factual Best Colleges rankings is to measure the quality of education a student will receive at a specific college relative to all the other colleges in the United States. Our undergraduate rankings are based on 11 broad factors, each of which is based on one or more detailed factors. Our graduate rankings are based on a similar but slightly revised set of factors.
In the fall of 2021, after the release of our undergraduate rankings, we worked with a number of colleges to solicit feedback on our method with the objective of more accurately scoring graduate degrees and smaller degree programs in general. Our spring 2022 graduate rankings are the fruit of that effort and moving forward, we will be shifting our undergraduate rankings to this improved method.
Each factor below shows a brief description, a note about why it matters and an indication of how much impact it has on the rankings: high, medium, or low.
At some level, this category can be thought of as an on/off switch. While we technically rank all institutions we have data for, an institution that lacks regional accreditation will not be able to score well. Other forms of accreditation are evaluated, including national and program specific accreditation.
Students dedicated to learning challenge each other and themselves to grow and excel. These students can also become lasting and valuable career connections later in life.
Average Test Scores (High) - The average of the 25th and 75th percentile Math and Reading SAT scores as reported by IPEDS is calculated. Where ACT score is reported instead, the same calculation is performed using the composite score and a formula to convert that score to an equivalent SAT score.
The more resources a college can dedicate to supporting students' educational goals the better.
Average Faculty Compensation (Medium) - Competitive salaries and benefits can attract the best of the best to a college or university. (Compensation is adjusted for cost of living.)
Expenditures per Student (Medium) - This is focused on spending that can directly benefit students, such as instruction, academic support, research, and student services.
Student to Faculty Ratio (Low) - The student to faculty ratio measures how many students each instructional faculty member must support on average. The lower the ratio, the more potential there is for individualized attention when needed.
Percent Full-Time Teachers (Low) - This metric looks at all instructional employees, including adjuncts, to get a more complete measure of how many teachers are focused on full-time instruction at a given college.
A school can be doing a lot of things right, but if few of its students actually graduate, does it matter?
Freshmen Retention Rate (High) - The higher the number of freshmen returning to the same school for sophomore year, the more likely these students were satisfied with the school, and the more likely the college or university is successfully supporting its freshmen students.
6 Year Graduation Rate (High) - This measures the percent of students that started as freshmen and graduated with their four-year degree from a given school within six years after starting. The higher the rate of graduation, the more likely the college is delivering on its promise of a higher education, and students are receiving the support they need to successfully complete their degree.
Expected vs. Actual Graduation Rate (Low) - Colleges with highly selective acceptance rates are also more likely to have higher graduation rates. This can speak to the caliber of the students and not necessarily to the educational prowess of the school. This metric calculates the expected graduation rate, based on the students that enrolled at the college. A higher than expected graduation rate is indicative that a school is doing a proportionally better job at graduating students, regardless of that students' academic standing upon acceptance to the college or university.
Life after college should reward students for seeking a higher education. These metrics are all related to the earnings students realized after attending school.
Student Loan Default Rate (High) - A large majority of students rely on student loans to earn a degree, with the expectation that their entry-level salaries will sufficiently cover the cost of these loans. Students who default on loans within three years after graduation may not have been provided with a sufficient education, or a sufficient degree, compared to the cost of obtaining it. The lower the default rate on student loans the better.
Graduate Salary (Medium) - This metric compares the salaries earned by students in each major at a college and calculates how much more, or less, money those students make when compared to students graduating with the same major at other colleges. This measure focuses on the college’s impact on career earnings.
Each factor below shows a brief description, a note about why it matters and an indication of how much impact it has on the rankings: high, medium or low.
At some level, this category can be thought of as an on/off switch. While we technically rank all institutions we have data for, an institution that lacks regional accreditation will not be able to score well. Other forms of accreditation are evaluated including national and program specific accreditation.
Students dedicated to learning challenge each other and themselves to grow and excel. These students can also become lasting and valuable career connections later in life.
Average Test Scores (High) - The average of the 25th and 75th percentile Math and Reading SAT scores as reported by IPEDS is calculated. Where ACT score is reported instead, the same calculation is performed using the composite score and a formula to convert that score to an equivalent SAT score.
Student Body Diversity (LOW) - A complete education includes all viewpoints. This factor incorporates an analysis of demographic data provided by institutions to IPEDS.
Market demand for institutions is an important signal of quality still and the larger more demand products attract the top applicants.
Student Migration (LOW) - Students who are willing to travel from out of state and internationally are a powerful signal for demand. These students must often pay an additional premium to attend an institution. This factor looks at the average distance (geo-centered) students travel to attend each institution.
Matriculation Score (MEDIUM) - This factor measures undergraduate matriculation as reported to IPEDS. Matriculation being the percentage of students who accept an offer from the institution to attend. This factor is far superior to one that just looks at student applications and institutional acceptance rates as those metrics are only a proxy for intent and can be manipulated by marketing. If this factor is reported by an institution, it is included in both graduate and undergraduate rankings. If an institution does not provided undergraduate degrees this factor is excluded and has no bearing on an institution’s graduate ranking.
Degrees Granted (MEDIUM) - Institutions that graduate more students in their given major are recognized for this. Note that this factor does not operate in a vacuum that assumes “more is universally better” and is offset by factors such as student to faculty ratio.
Degree offerings that are showcased by an institution and complimented by similar offerings both withing the award level but also across award levels are recognized by this category. This factor will allow a smaller music conservatory to compare well to a similarly sized music program at a much larger institution.
Degree Focus (LOW) - An evaluation of the contribution of this degree to all graduations at the institution. The more specialized an institution is, the better they will score.
Major Peer Score (HIGH) - Similar degrees that are offered by this institution will impact the score of this degree. A degree in “Nursing Practice” for example offered at an institution with a high ranking degree in “Registered Nursing” will potentially be boosted by this factor.
Program Peer Score (MEDIUM) - Similar to the above but with an evaluation of all degrees ofered under the umbrella of “Nursing” contributing to the final score.
The more resources a college can dedicate to supporting students' educational goals the better.
Average Faculty Compensation (Medium) - Competitive salaries and benefits can attract the best of the best to a college or university. (Compensation is adjusted for cost of living.)
Expenditures per Student (Medium) - This is focused on spending that can directly benefit students, such as instruction, academic support, research and student services.
Students per Instructor (Low) - This metric looks at full-time-equivalent students and instructors. All instructors are included in this metric, not just tenured faculty.
Faculty Diversity (Low) - A complete education includes all viewpoints. This factor incorporates an analysis of demographic data provided by institutions to IPEDS.
A school can be doing a lot of things right, but if few of its students actually graduate, does it matter?
Freshmen Retention Rate (High) - The higher the number of freshmen returning to the same school for sophomore year the more likely these students were satisfied with the school, and the more likely the college or university is successfully supporting its freshmen students.
Graduation Rate (High) - This measures the progress of students within four peer groups towards graduation at 100%, 150%, and 200% of what might be thought of as the traditional (award specific) time to graduate. Each of these peer groups (first-time vs. returning and full-time vs part-time) and award level is individually weighted at each institution so that no institution is rewarded or penalized for the type of community they serve. The higher the rate of graduation, the more likely the college is delivering on its promise of a higher education, and students are receiving the support they need to successfully complete their degree.
Expected vs. Actual Graduation Rate (Low)* - Colleges with highly selective acceptance rates are also more likely to have higher graduation rates. This can speak to the caliber of the students and not necessarily to the educational prowess of the school. This metric calculates the expected graduation rate, based on the students that enrolled at the college. A higher than expected graduation rate is indicative that a school is doing a proportionally better job at graduating students, regardless of that student’s academic standing upon acceptance to the college or university.
Life after college should reward students for seeking a higher education. These metrics are all related to the earnings students realized after attending school.
Student Loan Debt Load (Medium) - This factor compares the average degree and award specific graduation debt. The more debt the typical graduate has on degree completion, the lower their score.
Student Loan Default Rate (High) - A large majority of students rely on student loans to earn a degree, with the expectation that their entry-level salaries will sufficiently cover the cost of these loans. Students who default on loans within three years after graduation may not have been provided with a sufficient education, or a sufficient degree, compared to the cost of obtaining it. The lower the default rate on student loans the better.
Seven Year Loan Repayment Progress (Medium) - This factor tracks the progress that students with loans are making towards paying down their loans. Institutions where students are not making progress towards paying off their loans in a timely manner are penalized.
Graduate Salary (HIGH) - This metric compares the salaries earned by students in each major at a college and calculates how much more, or less, money those students make when compared to students graduating with the same major at other colleges. This measure focuses on the college’s impact on career earnings.
Ten Year Employment Rate (LOW) - This metric looks at the percentage of graduates meaningfully employed ten years after graduation.
Our rankings for graduate degrees are a bit different. Click here for more information.
Our Best Colleges by Religious Affiliation uses the same ranking methodology as our quality rankings outlined above. The schools are simply grouped into categories by their religious affiliation as reported to IPEDS.
We created a unique methodology to rank Best Colleges for Veterans. Read about the methodology behind this ranking here.
In an effort to help non-traditional students find their best fit school, we have also created a Best Colleges for Non-Traditional Students ranking with a unique methodology you can read about here.
