Undergra. Graduate Assistant. September 20111

Transcription

1 U.S. News and World Report 2012 Undergra duate ings University of Georgia Results James M. Byars, M.Ed Graduate Assistant Office of Institutional Research September 20111

2 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 2 In the 2012 U.S. News and World Report Undergraduate ings, the University of Georgia (UGA) ranked 62nd among national universities and 23rd among public universities. In comparison with last year s rankings, UGA fell six ranks in the national university category and five spots in the public university. In 2011, UGA was tied with the Ohio State University - Columbus, Purdue University - West Lafayette, and the University of Maryland - College Park at 18th in the Top 30 Public University rankings. In the 2012 edition, Ohio State and Maryland were ranked higher in both rankings. Also, Texas A&M University, University of Pittsburgh, and University of Connecticut eclipsed UGA in both rankings. Purdue suffered a similar drop in rankings and was tied with UGA at 23rd among public universities. The Terry College of Business was ranked as the 28th Best Undergraduate Business Program with top 25 rankings for programs in Accounting (17), Insurance (2), Management (22), Management Information Systems (14), and Real Estate (3). Of UGA s Board of Regents Peers, the University of Iowa and Florida are tied with UGA at 28th, Michigan State University was ranked 24th, and Pennsylvania State University and University of Maryland were ranked 20th in undergraduate business programs. The undergraduate engineering program was ranked 144th which was down from 127th the year before. UGA was ranked 80th among national universities by High School Counselor and 18th for the least debt assumed by the class of Table 1 U.S. News and World Report Institutional ings University of Georgia Years: National Universities Public University * 20* * 19* * 19* * 21* * 20* * 20* * * 18* * 23* * Represents Tie The following is a summary of significant changes in institutional statistics and rankings from 2011 to 2012: The Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index remained constant at 71 although the peer assessment score increased one-tenth of a point and high school counselor score decreased two-tenths. A greater weight was placed on peer assessment score (15.0%) than high school counselor (7.5%) which explains why each score offsets the other. The difference between scores and sub-factor weights is 2:1. UGA gained five spots in the Graduation & Retention ing, two in Faculty Resources, and seven in the Alumni Giving. These gains were offset the loss of seven spots in the Selectivity and the Financial Resources ings. There was a ten-point decrease in the 25th percentile score in the SAT scores of incoming freshmen class. This decline is confirmed by the ten point decrease in the SAT quantitative scores in 2010 which was reported in UGA s 2010 Common Data Set.

3 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 3 UGA have less incoming freshmen (-1.0%) enrolled that were ranked in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. UGA s graduation rate performance (i.e. over/under performance) was smaller in 2012 than Table 2 U.S. News and World Report Reported Undergraduate and Institutional Statistics University of Georgia Years: Overall ings National Universities - 58* 58* 58* 60* 59* 58* 58* 56* 62* Public School 18* 20* 19* 19* 21* 20* 20* 21 18* 23* Institutional Scores/ings Overall Score Peer Assessment High School Counselor Score Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources Alumni Giving Average Freshmen Retention Rate 90 91% 92% 93% 93% 93% 93% 93% 94% 94% 6-Year Graduation Performance Predicted 6-Year Graduation Rate 65% 68% 68% 71% 74% 73% 72% 75% 75% 78% Actual 6-Year Graduation Rate 69% 70% 72% 74% 74% 77% 78% 80% 81% 82% Over(+)/Under(-) Performance Institutional Percentages Classes Under % 34% 35% 35% 35% 38% 37% 36% 35% Classes of 50 or More 15 14% 13% 11% 10% 11% 11% 12% 13% 12% Faculty Characteristics Student/Faculty Ratio - 13/1 14/1 18/1 18/1 18/1 18/1 18/1 18/1 19/1 Percentage of Full-Time Faculty 96% 95% 94% 92% 92% 93% 92% 93% 92% 94% Incoming Freshmen Characteristics SAT/ACT 25th Percentile SAT/ACT 75th Percentile Freshmen in Top 10% of Class 40% 46% 43% 50% 52% 48% 53% 52% 54% 53% Acceptance Rate 62% 65% 75% 62% 65% 58% 54% 56% 54% 59% Average Alumni Giving Rate 19% 19% 19% 18% 17% 15% 14% 14% 13% 14%

4 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 4 Graphs 1-5 U.S. News and World Report Category Institutional ings University of Georgia Years: Graduation & Retention Years: Faculty Resources Years: Selectivity Years: Financial Resources Years: Alumni Giving Years: * Each graphs have varying scales of rank for the purpose of illustrating significant changes over time

5 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 5 Methodology: U.S. News and World Report ing Category Category Weight Sub-factor Sub-factor Weight Undergraduate Academic Reputation 22.5% Peer Assessment Score 15.0% High School Counselor Score 7.5% Acceptance Rate 1.5% Student Selectivity 15.0% Freshmen in Top 10% of Class 6.0% SAT/ACT Scores 7.5% Faculty Compensation 7.0% Percentage Faculty with Top Terminal Degree 3.0% Faculty Resources 20.0% Percent Full-Time Faculty 1.0% Student/Faculty Ratio 1.0% Class Size (1-19 Students) 6.0% Class Size (50+ Students) 2.0% Graduation & Retention 20.0% Average Graduation Rate 16.0% Average Freshmen Retention Rate 4.0% Financial Resources 10.0% Average Educational Expenditures Per Student 10.0% Alumni Giving 5.0% Average Alumni Giving Rate 5.0% Graduation Rate Performance 7.5% Graduation Rate Performance 7.5% Above are the category and sub-factor weights that were publically announced in both 2011 and 2012 U.S. News and World Report. In previous editions, the undergraduate academic reputation was solely expressed by the peer assessment score which weighted at 25.0%. However in recent editions the category is weighted at 22.5% with sub-factors weights for peer assessment score and high counselor score at 15.0% and 7.5% respectively. The graduation rate performance was given a higher weight at 7.5% from 5.0%. The actual methodology calculating rankings and overall scores is a closely guarded secret of the U.S. News and World Report. These weightings can provide valuable insight into significant statistical and potential policy changes which may insult in an institution moving up and down the rankings. These weightings will be used in the report to explain the changes in the University of Georgia s position from the 2011 to 2012 editions relevant to similarly rankings institutions. Clarification Notes The Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index allows for top academics (i.e. presidents, provosts, and deans of admissions) to assess the institutional excellence regarding undergraduate education. In 2001, this score introduced an assessment from high school counselors to rate an institution s programs. These scores are collectively a measure of the undergraduate academic quality of an institution. The Financial Resource Index measures an institution s average educational expenditures per students in the fiscal years of 2009 and These expenditures include instruction, research, student services, and other related educational expenditures. The Alumni Giving Index measures the average donations of living alumni with bachelor s degree from and The U.S. News and World Report consider this measure to be an indirect indicator of student satisfaction with education from the institution. The freshmen retention rate is the average proportion of freshmen entering school from fall of 2006 to fall of 2009 who returned the following year. The U.S. News and World Report methodology does not factor in the differences from edition to edition.

6 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 6 U.S. News and World Report 2011 Appendix A Selective Peer Comparison

7 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 7 Executive Summary All comparative rankings to the Aspirational Peers are out of 13 institutions including UGA. Institutional ings UGA has ranked 12th in National and Public University categories among Aspirational Peers from 2008 through The University of Minnesota - Twin Cities was ranked lower than UGA in both rankings. Institutional Characteristics UGA had the lowest Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index in both 2011 and UGA s performance in the two sub-factors (Peer Assessment Score and High School Counselor Score) was also at the bottom. Graduation & Retention ing UGA was ranked 10th in this category in 2012 and This is an improvement from 2008 when UGA was ranked 11th. Faculty Resources UGA has constantly remained above the median rank of Aspirational Peers. In 2011 and 2012, UGA was ranked 7th. Six out of 12 aspirational peers declined in rankings 2008 to Selectivity ing UGA has constantly been ranked 11th in this category ahead of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and Pennsylvania State University - University Park from Eight aspirations peers lost ranks from year to year. Penn State dropped fourteen spots and University of Texas - Austin did six spots. Financial Resources UGA was ranked the lowest in the Financial Resources from 2008 to Ten peers increased their rankings and six experienced increases from 2008 to UGA has declined in this category since Alumni Giving UGA was ranked 9th in 2011 and moved up to 7th in Seven peers experienced decreases in rankings from 2011 to 2012, but ten including UGA were ranked higher in 2012 than in 2008.

8 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 8 Graphs 1-5 U.S. News and World Report Category Institutional ings Against Aspirational Peers University of Georgia Years: Graduation & Retention Years: Faculty Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Aspirational Peers University of Georgia Median - Aspirational Peers Selectivity ings Years: University of Georgia Median - Aspirational Peers Financial Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Aspirational Peers Alumni Giving Years: University of Georgia Median - Aspirational Peers * Each graphs have varying scales of rank for the purpose of illustrating significant changes over time.

9 Appendix A: Table 1 National University ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 9 Year Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) Appendix A: Table 2 Public University ings Year Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University * University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13)

10 Appendix A: Table 3 Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Score Years: Aspirational Peer Change Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 10 Appendix A: Table 4 High School Counselor Score Years: Aspirational Peer Change Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13)

11 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 11 Appendix A: Table 5 Peer Assessment Scores Year Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 6 Graduation & Retention ings Year Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

12 Appendix A: Table 7 Faculty Resources ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 12 Years Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 8 Selectivity ings Year Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

13 Appendix A: Table 9 Financial Resources ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 13 Years Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 10 Alumni Giving ings Years Aspirational Peer Cornell University Pennsylvania State University University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of California - Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of Minnesota - Twin Cities University of Texas - Austin University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin - Madison University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

14 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 14 U.S. News and World Report 2011 Appendix B Board of Regents Peer Comparison

15 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 15 Executive Summary All comparative rankings to the Board of Regents Peers (BOR Peers) are out of 13 institutions including UGA. Institutional ings UGA ranked 5th in National and Public University rankings against the BOR Peers from 2008 through 2012 (excluding 2011 when UGA was 4th). UGA experienced the largest drop both rankings of the BOR Peers. Since 2008 five BOR Peers have experienced more significant declines than UGA. Institutional Characteristics UGA was ranked near the median of the Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index (6th in 2011; 5th in 2012) among BOR Peers. UGA was ranked 7th in the High School Counselor Score and was one of five schools which did not drop in scores from year to year. On the Peer Assessment Score, UGA gained two spots (5th to 7th) in 2012 as result of Florida dropping from 3.6 to 3.2. Graduation & Retention ing UGA was ranked 3rd among the BOR Peers and has made significant gains in this category by increasing 14 spots in the total rankings since This success is second only to Ohio State University who increased fifteen spots. Faculty Resources UGA has been a leader in this category among the BOR Peers. In 2012, UGA was ranked 2nd and has performed significantly better than the BOR Peers median ranking. This is a consistent trend for UGA since 2008 but several BOR Peers have made significant progress since Selectivity ing In 2012 UGA was ranked 5th which is consistent with past ranking among the BOR Peers. There is a huge disparity in this category's rankings as University of California - Davis, University of Florida, University of Maryland - College Park, Ohio State University - Columbus, and UGA having separated themselves from the other peers. Financial Resources UGA was ranked 11th and significantly distant from the median ranking of the BOR Peers. UGA s weak positioning in this category is a common trend with the University of Missouri - Columbia being the only BOR Peer ranked lower than UGA for all five years. Only four BOR Peers have seen no or positive change in their rankings from 2008 to Alumni Giving UGA was ranked 7th in this category in 2012 and Six BOR Peers also experienced a decrease from year to year. Half of the BOR Peers along with UGA experienced increases since 2008.

16 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 16 Graphs 1-5 U.S. News and World Report Category Institutional ings Against Board of Regents Peers University of Georgia Years: Graduation & Retention Years: Faculty Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers Selectivity Years: University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers Financial Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers Alumni Giving Years: University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers * Each graphs have varying scales of rank for the purpose of illustrating significant changes over time.

17 Appendix B: Table 1 National University ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 17 Year Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) Appendix B: Table 2 Public University ings Year Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13)

18 Appendix B: Table 3 Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Score Years: Board of Regents Peer Change Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 18 Appendix B: Table 4 High School Counselor Score Years: Board of Regents Peer Change Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) 7 7 3

19 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 19 Appendix A: Table 5 Peer Assessment Scores Year Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 6 Graduation & Retention ings Year Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky * University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

20 Appendix A: Table 7 Faculty Resources ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 20 Years Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky * University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 8 Selectivity ings Year Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky * University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median - Board of Regents Peers UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

21 Appendix A: Table 9 Financial Resources ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 21 Years Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix A: Table 10 Alumni Giving ings Years Board of Regents Peer Iowa State University Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge * Michigan State University North Carolina State University Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Arizona University of California - Davis University of Florida University of Iowa University of Kentucky * University of Maryland - College Park University of Missouri - Columbia University of Georgia Median UGA (of 13) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years.

22 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 22 U.S. News and World Report 2011 Appendix C Observed Peer Comparison

23 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 23 Overview & Analysis The author has selected the similar institutions in terms of institutional characteristics that were ranked close (above and below) to UGA in the 2012 ranking to analyzes the changes in rankings and statistics from last year s and current U.S. News and World Report editions. The purpose of this analysis is to ascertain reasons for UGA s decline in the Public University rankings. These institutions will be labeled as Observed Peers. There were several institutions that experienced significant gains in rankings and these changes will be discussed in detail. These gainers were Michigan State University, University of Connecticut, University of Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M University College Station. Along with UGA, the University of Florida and Purdue University West Lafayette experienced huge declines. All comparative rankings to the Observed Peers are out of 14 institutions including UGA. Graduation & Retention According to the U.S. News and World Report methodology, a college's graduation rate performance is an indicator of added value which 'shows the effect of the college's performance and policies on the graduation rate of students after controlling for spending and student characteristics such as test scores and the proportion receiving Pell grants...if the actual graduation rate is higher than the predicted rate, the college is enhancing achievement." In both reports, UGA enjoys higher predication and actual graduation rates than most Observed Peers. However, UGA's graduation rate performance and relative standing declined from 2011 to UGA outperformed their predicted graduation rates in both years, but was ranked 8th in 2012 with a four point difference which was down from 5th with a six point difference in The graduation rate performance is 7.5% of the total score. Institutions such as Michigan State, Connecticut, and Texas A&M had big gains or held high performance rates from year to year. Conversely, Florida and Purdue have had lower graduation rate performances. This coupled with the strong performances already discussed could be correlated with UGA s decline in the rankings (as well as Florida and Purdue). Michigan State has may profited from a very significant graduation rate performance. Regarding the freshmen retention rates, UGA was ranked 2nd in both reports with 94% (tied with the University of Maryland). Eight of the 14 observed peers experienced a one percent increase in retention rates (expect for University of Connecticut who had 2%). Since the metric constitutes only four percent of the total score, most observed institutions enjoy high and similar scores, and UGA has a high performance relative to these peers, this sub-factor is probably not a substantial cause of UGA s decline in rankings. Faculty Resources UGA has enjoyed strong performance in this category. The following points about UGA s performance should be made: There is no opportunity to make an informed about the effect of faculty compensation on the Faculty Resource ing. This is a result of the inability to obtain the Runzheimer s Cost of Living Adjustment. Although, UGA s non-adjusted faculty salaries were in the bottom half for full, associate, and assistant professors compared to the observed peers. Given, UGA performed well in the Faculty Resources category and with faculty compensation being 7.0% of the total score, it is reasonable to assume that despite lower unadjusted salaries that UGA has competitive faculty salaries. UGA ranks in the bottom half of Observed Peers in student/faculty ratio, percentage of full-time faculty, and percentage of faculty with terminal degree, these sub-factors are 1%, 1%, and 3% of the total score. UGA has done well in minimizing classes over 50+ and was significantly better than Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and Texas A&M. However, this sub-factor is a smaller percentage of the total score (2%). Given the larger weight placed on the class under 20 students (6% of total score), this should be an area of consider

24 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 24 for UGA. Connecticut and Pittsburgh made gains in this category (1% and 2%); whereas UGA (along with Pittsburgh) declined. UGA was ranked in the bottom half of this sub-factor for both years compared to the Observed Peers. Selectivity UGA was one of three Observed Peers which had a decrease in their 25th Percentile SAT Score. Conversely, Texas A&M, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh saw increases. Texas A&M and Pittsburgh increased their SAT 75th Percentile Score, while UGA remained at 1330 in both years. UGA went from being ranked 5th in both percentile scores in 2011 to 9th (25th) and 7th (75th) in The SAT Scores make up 7.5% of the total score. The fail of UGA's scores in conjunction with increases from Texas A&M, Connecticut, and Pittsburgh could account for some of the change in rankings from year to year. It is important to note that UGA has SAT Scores compared to these schools. However, their increase along with UGA s decrease shows that the distance in our selectivity may be narrowing. UGA was ranked high in 2011 and 2012 among Observed Peers for the percentage of their incoming freshmen in the top ten percent of graduating high school class and the institution s acceptance rate. However, UGA had two of the worst changes in both sub-factors from year to year. UGA was one of six Observed Peers which had a higher acceptance rate in 2012 than Since, the acceptance rate is only 1.5% of the total score it not likely that this could cause a substantial drop in UGA s total ranking. Despite a slight decline in the percentage of freshmen in the top 10% of their graduating class from 2011 to 2012, this should not be significant reason for UGA s decline because UGA enjoys a higher rate than the three institutions that surpassed it and only Pittsburgh saw an increase (both Texas A&M and Connecticut had the same rates from year to year). While, UGA s acceptance rate declined from 2011 to 2012, this should not be a contributor to the changes in ranking because the methodology does not factor in the differences from year to year. Also, UGA has a similar or better percentage than the three institutions which were ranked higher in Connecticut and Texas A&M experienced decreases in their acceptance rate, Pittsburgh only had a 1% increase, and the fact that acceptance rate constitutes only 1.5% of the total score. Financial Resources UGA has been ranked 13th (ahead of Virginia Tech) for the past three reports against Observed Peers. UGA has seen a steady decline in this category among all institutions for the past four years. The three schools that surpassed UGA in the 2012 Public Universities rankings either had insignificant changes in rankings from 2011 to 2012 reports (Pittsburgh with 0; Texas A&M with -1) or big gains (Connecticut with 17 the past two reports). All three institutions were significantly ranked already of UGA at 122 (Texas A&M - 79, Connecticut - 47, and Pittsburgh - 39) in This category is worth 10% of the total score and UGA's decline might be correlated to the following: UGA's performed poorly in educational expenditures per student (e.g. instruction, research, student services, and academic support) with respect to the Observed Peers for 2011 & UGA ranked at the bottom for instruction, in the bottom half for student services, and in the middle for research and academic support. Connecticut ranks 1st in average instruction expenditures for 2009 and 2010, Pittsburgh was 3rd, and Texas A&M was 6th. For research expenditures, Pittsburgh was 1st and Texas A&M was 5th. In regards to total expenditures, Pittsburgh was 1st, Connecticut was 3rd, Texas A&M was 6th, and UGA was 13th. These spending ranks correspond to the positions in the total Financial Resources ings. UGA had one of the lowest percentage increases in academic related spending in research, instruction, student services, and academic support expenditures per student in both years. Texas A&M and Connecticut

25 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 25 saw substantial increases in most categories. Pittsburgh suffered worse than UGA from year to year, but their funding levels were substantially higher than UGA in both years. Alumni Giving Since the Alumni Giving constitutes 5.0% of the total score it is in all likelihood not a significant contributor to UGA's decline in the Public University ings. UGA was ranked 11th in 2011 and 8th in UGA was one of the few Observed Peers who increased their average alumni giving rate between the years. It is worth noting that Texas A&M University - College Station made strong gains in their ranked among Observed Pears in the alumni giving rate.

26 Graphs 1-5 U.S. News and World Report Category Institutional ings Against Observed Peers University of Georgia Years: U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 26 Graduation & Retention Years: Faculty Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers Selectivity Years: Financial Resources Years: University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers Alumni Giving Years: University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers * Each graphs have varying scales of rank for the purpose of illustrating significant changes over time. * Medians for the 2008 edition may be skewed due to lack of information from observed peers.please consult graphs below.

27 Appendix C: Table 2 National University ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 27 Year Observed Peer Ohio State University - Columbus University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Pittsburgh Purdue University - West Lafayette Clemson University Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median Observed Peers UGA (of 14) Appendix C: Table 3 Public University ings Year Observed Peer Ohio State University - Columbus University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Pittsburgh Purdue University - West Lafayette Clemson University Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median Observed Peers UGA (of 14)

28 Appendix C: Table 3 Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Score Years: Observed Peer Change Ohio State University - Columbus University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Pittsburgh Purdue University - West Lafayette Clemson University Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median Observed Peers UGA (of 14) U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 28 Appendix C: Table 4 High School Counselor Score Years: Observed Peer Change Ohio State University - Columbus University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Pittsburgh Purdue University - West Lafayette Clemson University Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median Observed Peers UGA (of 14)

29 U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 29 Appendix C: Table 5 Peer Assessment Scores Year Observed Peer Ohio State University - Columbus University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut University of Florida University of Pittsburgh Purdue University - West Lafayette Clemson University Rutgers University - New Brunswick University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median - Observed Peers UGA (of 14)

30 Appendix C: Table 6A Graduation & Retention ings U.S. News & World Report 2011 Analysis 30 Year Observed Peer Ohio State University - Columbus * University of Maryland - College Park Texas A&M University - College Station University of Connecticut * University of Florida University of Pittsburgh * Purdue University - West Lafayette * Clemson University * Rutgers University - New Brunswick * University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Michigan State University University of Iowa Virginia Tech University of Georgia Median Observed Peers UGA (of 14) * ings for 2008 could not be located. Comparison is taken over four years. Appendix C: Table 6B Graduation & Retention Statistics Sub-factor Breakdown Years: Graduation Rates 2012 Graduation Rates Freshmen Retention Rates Observed Peer Predicted Actual +/- Predicted Actual +/ Change Ohio State University - Columbus 68% 75% 7% 70% 78% 8% 93% 93% 0% University of Maryland - College Park 81% 82% 1% 80% 81% 1% 93% 94% 1% Texas A&M University - College Station 76% 80% 4% 73% 79% 6% 92% 92% 0% University of Connecticut 70% 78% 8% 72% 81% 9% 91% 93% 2% University of Florida 80% 82% 2% 82% 84% 2% 95% 96% 1% University of Pittsburgh 77% 78% 1% 77% 78% 1% 91% 92% 1% Purdue University - West Lafayette 66% 70% 4% 65% 69% 4% 86% 87% 1% Clemson University 76% 77% 1% 72% 76% 4% 91% 91% 0% Rutgers University - New Brunswick 75% 77% 2% 74% 77% 3% 91% 91% 0% University of Minnesota - Twin Cities 70% 68% -2% 68% 70% 2% 88% 89% 1% Michigan State University 68% 77% 9% 62% 77% 15% 91% 91% 0% University of Iowa 62% 69% 7% 62% 70% 8% 83% 84% 1% Virginia Tech 74% 80% 6% 73% 80% 7% 91% 92% 1% University of Georgia 75% 81% 6% 78% 82% 4% 94% 94% 0% Median Observed Peers 75% 78% 4% 73% 78% 4% 91% 92% 1% UGA (out of 14)