Methods Behind University Rankings Under Scrutiny
The different methods used by organizations such as The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report when evaluating higher education institutions are being examined.
The frequent emphasis by Lafayette College officials on their successes in The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report rankings has brought the question of what criteria these rating organizations use to determine their lists to the agenda.
Princeton Review Ranking Method
The Princeton Review determines its rankings entirely based on a 98-question survey sent to students.
The results of this survey, answered online by students, are used to rank different aspects of the school experience.
Lafayette College's Place on the Lists
Lafayette College achieved success by appearing in eleven different categories in the latest lists published by the Princeton Review.
University officials state that these results constitute concrete proof of the value they place on student experiences.
Experts' Methodological Criticisms
Political science professor Chris Borick stated that focusing on student feedback makes sense, but a single-question methodology reduces depth.
Experts emphasize that each ranking system has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
U.S. News & World Report Criteria
U.S. News & World Report, on the other hand, uses a broader institutional dataset and evaluation pool while determining its rankings.
While student outcomes account for fifty-two percent of the total score, peer assessment and faculty resources are also influential in the scoring.