Tag Archives: Rankings

Australian universities may be at a turning point in the rankings chase. So what next?

Australian universities may be at a turning point in the rankings chase. So what next?

Australian universities, for better or worse, have embraced international rankings, especially those published each year such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020 (the Shanghai Ranking) and the QS World University Rankings released this month. But there are now signs the influence of rankings on Australian higher education is on the wane. […] … learn more→

What college rankings really measure – hint: It’s not quality or value

What college rankings really measure – hint: It’s not quality or value

Each year various magazines and newspapers publish college rankings in an attempt to inform parents and prospective students which colleges are supposedly the best. U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” – perhaps the most influential of these rankings – first appeared in 1983. Since then, many other rankings have emerged, assessing colleges and universities on cost, […] … learn more→

Without context, looking at graduate earnings by university is pointless

Without context, looking at graduate earnings by university is pointless

The UK government has recently published the results of a pilot study of graduate outcomes and initiated a consultation about whether to publish such information more widely. There could be two reasons for gathering and then publishing this information. First is to provide information to potential students. Second is to provide a justification for allowing some institutions […] … learn more→

Which countries punch above their weight in education rankings?

Which countries punch above their weight in education rankings?

Rankings of countries based on how well their students perform in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) always receive a great deal of attention from the media and politicians. But PISA rankings, produced by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, are limited when it comes to evaluating the quality of education systems and […] … learn more→

Rank delusions

Every year, U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and others update university rankings. Reactions are paradoxical. On the one hand, university administrators and faculty members scan the lists for evidence of small movements up or down. On the other hand, everyone knows that the top 10, or 20, or 50 names will be […] … learn more→