U.S. News & World Report first published its college rankings in 1984, launching a mini-industry. As competition to attract top students has increased, the ways to quantify the pros and cons of a particular school have multiplied. While Harvard, Princeton, and Yale predictably top the list for academics, other schools get points for everything from alcohol selection to the attractiveness of their students.
And, as the rankings business expands, some schools are opting out altogether, citing unfair methodology and too-predictable results. Only slightly more than half of college presidents participated in this year’s U.S. News survey.
A new crop of rankings guides from traditional players like Princeton Review and the College Board, as well as up-and-comers like CollegeProwler.com, aren’t just about academics. Whatever your criteria, there’s probably a ranking. Even U.S. News has jumped on the trend with its “25 Hottest Schools” guide, which bestows accolades both straightforward and snarky. You’ll find the “Hottest in the War on Terror,” as well as “Hottest for Rejecting You.” (Hint, it starts with an “H.”)
Princeton Review, known for its test-prep books, offers an annual “Best Colleges” guide that ranks schools by a variety of criteria (academics, quality of life, extracurriculars). Want to find schools where the “Dorms Are Like Dungeons” or “Reefer Madness” reigns? They’ll tell you.
CollegeProwler.com gives the power to the people, so to speak. It ranks more than 200 schools based on student surveys. The 27 categories are straightforward — Drug Scene, Girls, Guys, Campus Strictness, etc. — and of interest to parents and students alike.
How do Minnesota schools rank?
Here’s a sampling of three very different ranking systems with three very different views of Minnesota’s schools.
Princeton Review “Best 366 Colleges”
Carleton College: Noted for “best college radio station” and a penchant among students to play intramural sports and study ceaselessly.
Macalester College: Recognized for its “Birkenstock-wearing, tree-hugging, clove-smoking vegetarians” and best campus food (a connection?). Oh, and students who “ignore God on a regular basis.”
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities: The Review says teaching assistants teach too many upper-level courses (the lament of students at large state schools everywhere) and gives it the honor of “best college newspaper.”
Collegeprowler.com
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities: The U of M gets solid grades across the board, though it may want to work on bringing up that “C” in student diversity.
Gustavus Adolphus: While it gets respectable marks (take note young men, it got an “A-” for Girls!), at Gustavus “D” is for diversity.
Macalester: This school earns higher marks than most with an “A” for academics, but forget about sports (it only got a “C+”).
Campus Pride
Two Minnesota schools made the honor roll on Campus Pride’s LGBT Campus Climate Index.
University of Minnesota, Duluth: 4.5 out of 5 stars. Got high marks in inclusive policies, institutional commitment, student life, and LGBT recruitment efforts.
Metropolitan State University: 3 out of 5 stars. Scored high in LGBT student life and support and institutional commitment.
Stephanie Xenos is a St. Paul writer.
