U.S. News & World Report 2014 Best Colleges Rankings Summary Report

Transcription

1 U.S. News & World Report 2014 Best Colleges ings Summary Report U.S. News World Report releases the Best Colleges ings each fall. These undergraduate rankings are used by students to help them decide where to apply to college. ings are based on criteria such as retention and graduation rates, peer assessments, student selectivity, and faculty and financial resources. This report presents the 2014 U.S. News Best Colleges ings for the University of Tennessee - Knoxville and our peers. Detailed peer rankings, and rankings methodology, are presented in the appendices. This year the methodology was changed to place more emphasis on outputs (especially retention and graduation rates) and less emphasis on inputs (selectivity). The University of Tennessee - Knoxville In the 2014 rankings, The University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) dropped one place in the public school rankings, from #46 to #47. We remained steady in the national rankings at #101. Our overall score increased by 1 point, from 47 in 2013 to 48 in The University improved in the following areas: faculty resources, six year graduation rate, selectivity rank, alumni giving rank, and high school counselor assessment. Among public universities, the undergraduate business program ranked 27 th and the undergraduate engineering program ranked 37 th. The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Overall ings National Universities School Institutional s/ings Overall Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Peer Assessment High School Counselor Graduation & Retention Six-year graduation rate 66% 63% 60% Average freshmen retention rate 85% 85% 85% Over/Under Predicted graduation rate Faculty Resources Proportion of classes fewer than 20 students 39% 33% 32% Proportion of classes with 50+ students 7% 8% 8% Selectivity SAT/ACT 25 th -75 th percentile Freshmen in top 10% HS Class 50% 44% 34% Financial Resources Alumni Giving Average alumni giving rate 10% 11% 11% U.S. News 2014 ings Summary p. 1

2 90% UTK Freshman Retention Rate UTK Six Year Graduation Rate 88% 86% 84% 82% 80% % 66% 64% 62% 60% 58% 56% The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Overall ings National Universities School Institutional s/ings Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Undergrad. Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources Alumni Giving Peer Comparisons The University of Tennessee Knoxville most often compares ourselves to the group of institutions identified as our Top25 peers. From , we rose more in the public schools rankings than any of our peers (up 6 places). From , we dropped one place, while two of our peers dropped 6 places and two dropped 4 places. Only five peers rose in public rankings during this time period. Top 25 Peers National Universities ranking o Increased in rank: University of Illinois, Pennsylvania State University, University of Florida, and Clemson University o Decreased in rank: University of Washington, University of Texas, Purdue University, and Texas A&M U.S. News 2014 ings Summary p. 2

3 Universities ranking o Increased in rank: Pennsylvania State University, University of Florida, Clemson University and University of Georgia o Decreased in rank: University of Washington, University of Maryland, Texas A&M University, and Auburn University Overall o Increased in rank: Pennsylvania State University and University of Florida o Decreased in rank: University of Washington Graduation and Retention o Increased in rank: University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Washington, University of Maryland, University of Minnesota, and Auburn University o Decreased in rank: University of Texas, Texas A&M, Indiana University, and Iowa State University In the 2014 national rankings, UTK tied with the following public institutions: Iowa State University, North Carolina State University, University of Kansas, University of Nebraska, and the University of Oklahoma. Two private institutions are also tied with us: Loyola University at Chicago and St. Louis University. For the past three years, we have been tied with a large group of public institutions. Most often it has been the University of Nebraska, University of Oklahoma, University of Kansas, North Carolina State University and Iowa State University. Other notable changes in the 2014 rankings include: Pennsylvania State University s increase in rank was mainly due to increases in faculty resources, selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving The University of Florida s increase in rank was mainly due to increases in peer assessment and high school counselor scores Clemson University and the University of Georgia continued their steady rise in ranking Florida State University has begun to rise in rankings, mostly because of an increase in graduation rates and selectivity Major institutions seeing a slip in rankings include The University of Texas, Texas A&M University, The University of Alabama, and Auburn University U.S. News 2014 ings Summary p. 3

4 Drop in rank Improvement in U.S. News Institution ings for Top25 Peers Three-year change, 2012 to 2014, with 2014 rank #1 Berkeley #2 UCLA #2 Virginia #4 Michigan #5 UNC Chapel Hill #8 Penn State #9 UC Davis #11 Illinois #11 Wisconsin #11 UC Santa Barbara #14 Florida #16 Washington #16 UT Austin #16 Ohio State #20 Georgia #21 Maryland #21 Pittsburgh #21 Clemson #24 Purdue #25 Texas A&M #25 Minnesota #25 Rutgers #29 Michigan State #31 Indiana #40 Auburn #47 UT Knoxville #47 Iowa State #47 NC State 8 U.S. News 2014 ings Summary p. 4

5 U.S. News & World Report 2014 Best Colleges ings Appendix A: UTK and Peer Comparison Tables

6 USNWR Best Colleges ings Three-Year Trend Comparisons UTK Top 25 Peers 2014 National Universities 2013 National Universities 2012 National Universities Plus or Minus National 2014 Schools 2013 Schools 2012 Schools Plus or Minus University of Tennessee - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh

7 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2014 Peer ings Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers National Universities Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh Alumni Giving

8 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2014 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Predicted 6-Year Graduation Rate Actual 6-Year Graduation Rate Over(+)/Under(-) Performance Average Freshmen Retention Rate Classes Under 20 Classes of 50 or More University of Tennesse - Knoxville % 66.0% -6% 85% 38.9% 7.0% University of California -Berkeley % 91.0% 2% 97% 63.4% 15.0% University of California - Los Angeles % 92.0% 4% 97% 50.0% 22.0% University of Virginia % 93.0% 3% 97% 54.5% 16.0% University of Michigan - Ann Arbor % 91.0% 1% 96% 45.7% 18.0% University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill % 89.0% 3% 97% 36.5% 13.0% University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign % 84.0% 4% 94% 42.0% 20.0% University of Wisconsin - Madison % 83.0% 2% 95% 45.7% 20.0% University of California - Davis % 85.0% 4% 92% 37.0% 24.0% University of California - Santa Barbara % 86.0% 3% 91% 49.1% 18.0% University of Washington - Seattle % 80.0% -2% 93% 37.6% 19.0% Pennsylvania State University % 86.0% 26% 92% 39.4% 15.0% University of Florida % 85.0% 3% 96% 48.7% 17.0% University of Texas - Austin % 79.0% -1% 92% 33.8% 26.0% The Ohio State University % 82.0% 11% 93% 29.7% 23.0% University of Maryland - College Park % 82.0% 0% 94% 36.2% 17.0% University of Pittsburgh % 79.0% 5% 92% 39.3% 20.0% University of Georgia % 82.0% 6% 94% 39.2% 11.0% Clemson University % 82.0% 6% 90% 51.1% 14.0% Purdue University % 70.0% 4% 89% 38.3% 18.0% Texas A&M - College Station % 80.0% 7% 92% 18.2% 26.0% University of Minnesota % 73.0% 2% 90% 39.6% 20.0% Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey % 79.0% 8% 92% 38.0% 20.0% Indiana University % 75.0% 10% 89% 35.0% 18.0% Michigan State University % 79.0% 12% 91% 24.0% 21.0% Auburn University % 68.0% 2% 88% 29.9% 15.0% Iowa State University % 71.0% 5% 86% 32.1% 21.0% North Carolina State University - Raleigh % 71.0% 0% 91% 27.2% 18.0%

9 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2014 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Student/Faculty Ratio Percentage of Full-Time Faculty ACT 25th-75th Percentile Freshmen in Top 10% of Class Acceptance Rate Average Alumni Giving Rate University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh 17: % % 67.3% 10% 17: % % 18.0% 12% 16: % % 22.0% 12% 16: % % 29.6% 23% 16: % % 36.6% 19% 14: % % 27.6% 21% 19: % % 63.3% 10% 17: % % 54.6% 10% 17: % % 45.7% 8% 17: % % 44.0% 16% 12: % % 59.2% 15% 17: % % 54.2% 16% 21: % % 44.1% 14% 18: % % 46.8% 13% 19: % % 64.0% 14% 18: % % 46.8% 10% 14: % % 56.1% 12% 18: % % 56.1% 12% 18: % % 57.9% 25% 14: % % 61.3% 20% 22: % % 67.1% 23% 18: % % 49.5% 11% 14: % % 60.9% 9% 18: % % 74.4% 15% 16: % % 70.6% 13% 18: % % 77.2% 21% 18: % % 82.5% 15% 18: % % 49.6% 13%

10 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2013 Peer ings Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers National Universities Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh Alumni Giving

11 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2013 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Predicted 6-Year Graduation Rate Actual 6-Year Graduation Rate Over(+)/Under(-) Performance Average Freshmen Retention Rate Classes Under 20 Classes of 50 or More University of Tennesse - Knoxville % 63.0% -4% 85% 33.1% 8.0% University of California -Berkeley % 90.0% 0% 97% 64.2% 14.0% University of California - Los Angeles % 90.0% 3% 97% 50.9% 22.0% University of Virginia % 94.0% 4% 97% 52.9% 15.0% University of Michigan - Ann Arbor % 90.0% 1% 96% 48.0% 17.0% University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill % 90.0% 5% 97% 32.9% 13.0% University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign % 82.0% 4% 94% 34.0% 20.0% University of Wisconsin - Madison % 83.0% 3% 94% 43.9% 20.0% University of California - Davis % 86.0% 6% 92% 32.6% 25.0% University of California - Santa Barbara % 86.0% 3% 91% 46.8% 19.0% University of Washington - Seattle % 80.0% 0% 93% 34.3% 21.0% Pennsylvania State University % 87.0% 17% 92% 38.3% 15.0% University of Florida % 84.0% -1% 96% 45.0% 17.0% University of Texas - Austin % 81.0% 1% 92% 33.4% 26.0% The Ohio State University % 80.0% 11% 93% 30.7% 21.0% University of Maryland - College Park % 82.0% 0% 94% 34.7% 16.0% University of Pittsburgh % 79.0% 7% 92% 40.3% 20.0% University of Georgia % 83.0% 6% 94% 38.6% 11.0% Clemson University % 80.0% 5% 91% 51.6% 14.0% Purdue University % 68.0% 2% 88% 36.9% 18.0% Texas A&M - College Station % 80.0% 6% 92% 19.0% 25.0% University of Minnesota % 70.0% 2% 89% 40.7% 19.0% Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey % 77.0% 8% 92% 38.7% 20.0% Indiana University % 72.0% 9% 90% 34.3% 18.0% Michigan State University % 77.0% 14% 91% 23.6% 21.0% Auburn University % 66.0% 1% 87% 25.9% 17.0% Iowa State University % 68.0% 6% 86% 30.4% 21.0% North Carolina State University - Raleigh % 72.0% 2% 91% 21.0% 23.0%

12 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2013 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Student/Faculty Ratio Percentage of Full-Time Faculty ACT 25th-75th Percentile Freshmen in Top 10% of Class Acceptance Rate Average Alumni Giving Rate University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh 15: % % 69.7% 11% 17: % % 21.6% 12% 17: % % 25.5% 13% 16: % % 33.0% 22% 16: % % 40.6% 17% 14: % % 31.4% 22% 18: % % 67.6% 13% 17: % % 50.5% 10% 16: % % 46.0% 8% 17: % % 45.7% 15% 13: % % 58.4% 13% 17: % % 52.4% 16% 21: % % 43.2% 15% 18: % % 46.6% 14% 19: % % 63.4% 15% 18: % % 44.7% 10% 14: % % 57.9% 12% 18: % % 63.0% 14% 18: % % 63.3% 27% 14: % % 68.3% 21% 21: % % 63.5% 23% 21: % % 46.6% 12% 15: % % 61.1% 9% 19: % % 72.3% 16% 16: % % 72.9% 13% 18: % % 70.0% 30% 18: % % 86.3% 16% 18: % % 52.0% 11%

13 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2012 Peer ings Comparison Top 25 Peers National Universities Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources Alumni Giving University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh

14 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2012 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Schools Overall Peer Assessment High School Counselor Predicted 6-Year Graduation Rate Actual 6-Year Graduation Rate Over(+)/Under(-) Performance Average Freshmen Retention Rate Classes Under 20 Classes of 50 or More University of Tennesse - Knoxville % 60.0% -3% 85% 31.5% 8.0% University of California -Berkeley % 91.0% 3% 97% 62.0% 15.0% University of California - Los Angeles % 90.0% 4% 97% 51.6% 22.0% University of Virginia % 93.0% 5% 97% 51.9% 16.0% University of Michigan - Ann Arbor % 90.0% 3% 96% 47.8% 16.0% University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill % 90.0% 5% 97% 36.7% 13.0% University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign % 84.0% 4% 94% 34.0% 21.0% University of Wisconsin - Madison % 84.0% 2% 94% 45.0% 19.0% University of California - Davis % 84.0% 5% 91% 36.1% 24.0% University of California - Santa Barbara % 85.0% 4% 91% 45.0% 20.0% University of Washington - Seattle % 80.0% 5% 93% 32.6% 21.0% Pennsylvania State University % 85.0% 14% 93% 39.2% 15.0% University of Florida % 84.0% 2% 96% 40.7% 16.0% University of Texas - Austin % 81.0% 1% 92% 34.3% 25.0% The Ohio State University % 78.0% 8% 93% 31.5% 20.0% University of Maryland - College Park % 81.0% 1% 94% 35.2% 16.0% University of Pittsburgh % 78.0% 1% 92% 42.0% 18.0% University of Georgia % 82.0% 4% 94% 35.4% 12.0% Clemson University % 76.0% 4% 91% 50.8% 13.0% Purdue University % 69.0% 4% 87% 36.8% 17.0% Texas A&M - College Station % 79.0% 6% 92% 20.5% 23.0% University of Minnesota % 70.0% 2% 89% 38.1% 19.0% Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey % 77.0% 3% 91% 40.7% 20.0% Indiana University % 71.0% 10% 90% 33.8% 18.0% Michigan State University % 77.0% 15% 91% 23.1% 21.0% Auburn University % 66.0% 4% 87% 24.1% 17.0% Iowa State University % 70.0% 6% 85% 30.3% 20.0% North Carolina State University - Raleigh % 71.0% -3% 90% 30.2% 20.0%

15 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2012 Peer Categories Comparison UTK Top 25 Peers Student/Faculty Ratio Percentage of Full-Time Faculty ACT 25th-75th Percentile Freshmen in Top 10% of Class Acceptance Rate Average Alumni Giving Rate University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh 15: % % 74.0% 11% 17: % % 22.0% 12% 16: % % 23.0% 13% 16: % % 33.0% 22% 15: % % 51.0% 15% 14: % % 32.0% 22% 16: % % 67.0% 13% 17: % % 57.0% 11% 15: % % 45.0% 9% 17: % % 46.0% 15% 12: % % 57.0% 15% 17: % % 55.0% 21% 21: % % 43.0% 15% 18: % % 47.0% 14% 19: % % 68.0% 15% 18: % % 44.0% 10% 14: % % 58.0% 13% 19: % % 59.0% 14% 16: % % 58.0% 28% 14: % % 68.0% 19% 19: % % 69.0% 21% 21: % % 48.0% 13% 15: % % 59.0% 10% 19: % % 69.0% 16% 16: % % 70.0% 14% 18: % % 79.0% 31% 17: % % 81.0% 15% 18: % % 54.0% 11%

16 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2011 Peer ings Comparison Top 25 Peers National Universities Schools Overall Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index Graduation & Retention Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources Alumni Giving University of Tennesse - Knoxville University of California -Berkeley University of California - Los Angeles University of Virginia University of Michigan - Ann Arbor University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign University of Wisconsin - Madison University of California - Davis University of California - Santa Barbara University of Washington - Seattle Pennsylvania State University University of Florida University of Texas - Austin The Ohio State University University of Maryland - College Park University of Pittsburgh University of Georgia Clemson University Purdue University Texas A&M - College Station University of Minnesota Rutgers - The State University of New Jersey Indiana University Michigan State University Auburn University Iowa State University North Carolina State University - Raleigh

17 USNWR Best Colleges ings 2014 SEC Schools Comparison SEC Comparison UTK Ole Miss Miss State Arkansas Kentucky South Carolina Missouri Auburn Alabama Texas A&M UGA Florida Vanderbilt LSU National School N/A 68 Overall Graduation and Retention Faculty Resource Student Selectivity Financial Resources Alumni Giving Peer Assessment (Out of 5) High School Counselor (Out of 5) Predicted 6 year Graduation Rate 72% 56% 45% 67% 63% 67% 67% 66% 65% 73% 76% 82% 92% 67% Actual 6 Year Graduation Rate 66% 58% 60% 60% 58% 72% 71% 68% 67% 80% 82% 85% 92% 67% Over/Under Performance -6% 2% 15% -7% -5% 5% 4% 2% 2% 7% 6% 3% 0% 0% Average Freshman Retention Rate 85% 82% 82% 83% 81% 87% 85% 88% 85% 92% 94% 96% 96% 84% % of Classes Under 20 39% 47% 38% 36% 34% 36% 46% 30% 43% 18% 39% 49% 63% 36% % of Classes of 50 or More 7% 14% 12% 17% 13% 15% 15% 15% 18% 26% 11% 17% 9% 20% Student-Faculty Ratio % of Full Time Faculty 94% 97% 96% 97% 93% 87% 97% 95% 89% 94% 94% 98% 92% 96% ACT Low/High * * 25-30* Freshman in Top 10% of HS Class 50% 17% 27% 27% 33% 30% 26% 32% 43% 60% 48% 77% 90% 24% Acceptance Rate 67% 61% 69% 64% 67% 61% 82% 77% 53% 67% 56% 44% 14% 76% Average Alumni Giving Rate 10% 14% 16% 28% 15% 18% 16% 21% 35% 23% 12% 14% 23% 11% *Converted from SAT s

18 USNWR Best Colleges ings Institutions Tied with UTK at National ing = 101 Graduation & Retention Graduation Over(+) / Under(-) Performance Average Freshmen Retention Rate Actual 6- Year Graduation Rate Faculty Resources Selectivity Financial Resources 2014 ings Iowa State University % 71% Loyola University % 70% NC State University 87-91% 71% St. Louis University % 70% University of Kansas % 64% University of Nebraska % 65% University of Oklahoma % 66% University of Tennessee % 66% ings Iowa State University % 68% Univ. of Calif.-Riverside % 70% University of Nebraska % 67% University of Oklahoma % 68% University of Tennessee % 63% ings Florida State University % 74% NC State University % 71% University of Dayton (OH) % 76% University of Kansas % 61% University of Nebraska % 64% Univ.of New Hampshire % 75% University of Oklahoma % 64% University of Oregon % 68% University of Tennessee % 60% Univ. of The Pacific (CA) % 69% Alumni Giving

19 U.S. News & World Report 2014 Best Colleges ings Appendix B: Methodology

20 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges ings: 2014 Methodology Criteria Weight Detail Notes Undergraduate academic reputation 22.5% Retention 22.5% Faculty resources 20.0% d using two criteria: Academic peer assessment, in which selected University presidents, provosts and dean of admissions are surveyed (66.7%); assessment by high school counselors from schools awarded gold, silver or bronze medals in USNWR's Best High Schools rankings (33.3%) d using two criteria: Six-year graduation rate (80%); freshman retention rate (20%) d using six criteria: Proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students (30%); proportion of classes with 50+ students (10%); faculty salary (35%); proportion of professors with highest attainable degrees in their fields (15%); student-faculty ratio (5%); proportion of faculty who are full-time (5%) High School Counselor ratings were added in 2012; a 2-year average is used Previously was 20% of Total Student selectivity 12.5% d using three criteria: ACT/SAT scores (65%); proportion of enrolled freshman who graduated in top 10% of their high school class or the top quarter of Regional Universities/Colleges (25%); acceptance rate (10%). Previously was 15% of Total, with class rank more and SAT/ACT less Financial resources 10.0% Per-student spending, excluding sports, dorms and hospitals. Graduation rate 7.5% Alumni giving 5.0% USNWR measures the difference between their predicted 6-year graduation rate and the actual graduation rate. Predicted graduation rate controls for spending and student characteristics such as test scores and the proportion of students receiving Pell Grants. Weighted average percentage of living alumni with bachelor's degrees who gave to their school over the past two academic years. Has always been based on most recent 6-year cohort