University of Michigan named among top public colleges in U.S. News, QS rankings
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
In rankings released today, U.S. News and World Report ranked U-M No. 29 nationally for undergraduate education in 2013, down a spot from last year.
U.S. News ranked the Ann Arbor campus 4th among public universities, behind University of California's Berkeley and Los Angeles campuses and the University of Virginia. The University of California-Berkley has been ranked 1st among public universities by U.S. News since 2007.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
Michigan State University ranked 28th among public schools and 72nd nationally.
U-M has slipped from the No. 24 spot it held in the U.S. News rankings six years ago. Here's how the school has fared in the U.S. News rankings since then:
- 2013: 29
- 2012: 28
- 2011: 29
- 2010: 27
- 2009: 26
- 2008: 25
- 2007: 24
Meanwhile, the 2012-13 QS World University Rankings —also out this week— rated U-M as the top American public university.
Overall, the rankings placed the school 17th globally, down from 14th last year and 15th in 2010.
The top six schools in the QS rankings included four colleges in England, Harvard University and the No. 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other American schools ahead of U-M include Stanford, Yale, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Cornell and Princeton universities as well as the University of Chicago and University of Pennsylvania.
While rankings can be subjective and a college's position can vary depending on the ranking entity, students look to rankings as they pick their college and universities often tout rankings if they've fared well.
U-M did not appear on U.S. News list of best value colleges, although schools like Harvard, University of Chicago and University of Virginia did.
U-M tied with Virginia's College of William and Mary as the sixth best school for undergraduate teaching.
U.S. News also ranked U-M's undergraduate business and engineering programs. The engineering school ranked seventh nationally, down from sixth last year.
The Stephen M. Ross School of Business undergraduate program once again ranked No. 3 nationally, tied with University of California-Berkeley.
Meanwhile, the business school came in at No. 7 this year in Bloomberg Businessweek’s annual rankings of the best undergraduate business schools.
According to U.S. News, high school counselors rated U-M an average of 4.4 on a scale of 5. Peer school University of Virginia received a 4.5 rating from counselors. Berkley received a 4.6.
U-M also ranked No. 18 in the world in 2011-2012 rankings by London-based magazine Times Higher Education and Thomson Reuters.
QS rankings, launched in 2004, are determined 40 percent by academic reputation, 20 percent by citations, 20 percent by faculty-student ratio, 10 percent by employer reputation and 10 percent by the proportion of international students and faculty.
U.S. News calculates its various rankings differently. Read about its methodology here.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
Comments
Milan Moravec
Sat, Sep 15, 2012 : 2:47 a.m.
Elete public University of California Berkeley drops in higher eucation rankings. The public's UC Berkeley harvests money, taxes, family savings from Californians. Cal. is nationally ranked #1 public university total academic cost (resident) with the Provost and Chancellor's goal to 'charge Californians higher tuition'. UC Berkeley tuition is rising faster than costs at other universities. Cal ranked # 2 in faculty earning potential. Believe it: Harvard College less costly. University of California negates the promise of equality of opportunity: university access, affordability is farther and farther out of reach. Self-absorbed Chancellor Birgeneau, Provost Breslauer are outspoken for Cal. 'charging Californians much higher' tuition. Birgeneau ($450,000) Breslauer ($306,000) like to blame the politicians, since they stopped giving them their demanded funding. The 'charge Californians higher tuition' skyrocketed fees by an average 14% per year from 2006 to 2011-12 academic years. If Chancellor Provost had allowed fees to rise at the same rate of inflation over the past 10 years they would still be in reach of most middle income students. Breslauer Bergeneau increase disparities in higher education and defeat the promise of equality of opportunity. UC Berkeley is to maximize access to the widest number of Californians at a reasonable cost. Birgeneau's Breslauer's 'charge Californians higher' tuition' denies middle income families the transformative value of Cal. The California dream: keep it alive and well. Fire (honorably retire) Provost George W Breslauer. Birgeneau resigned. .
Milan Moravec
Fri, Sep 14, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
The sad case of the University of California: ranking continues to drop. The public's UC Berkeley harvests money, taxes, family savings from Californians. Cal. is nationally ranked #1 public university total academic cost (resident) with the Provost and Chancellor's goal to 'charge Californians higher tuition'. UC Berkeley tuition is rising faster than costs at other universities. Cal ranked # 2 in faculty earning potential. Believe it: Harvard College less costly. University of California negates the promise of equality of opportunity: university access, affordability is farther and farther out of reach. Self-absorbed Chancellor Birgeneau, Provost Breslauer are outspoken for Cal. 'charging Californians much higher' tuition. Birgeneau ($450,000) Breslauer ($306,000) like to blame the politicians, since they stopped giving them their demanded funding. The 'charge Californians higher tuition' skyrocketed fees by an average 14% per year from 2006 to 2011-12 academic years. If Chancellor Provost had allowed fees to rise at the same rate of inflation over the past 10 years they would still be in reach of most middle income students. Breslauer Bergeneau increase disparities in higher education and defeat the promise of equality of opportunity. UC Berkeley is to maximize access to the widest number of Californians at a reasonable cost. Birgeneau's Breslauer's 'charge Californians higher' tuition' denies middle income families the transformative value of Cal. The California dream: keep it alive and well. Fire (honorably retire) Provost George W Breslauer. Birgeneau resigned.
xmo
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Sounds like U of M is going "DOWN HILL" 2013: 29 2012: 28 2011: 29 2010: 27 2009: 26 2008: 25 2007: 24
JB
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 5:32 a.m.
Stick with that second-tier institution you rep.....way, way down the list.
Dog Guy
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:58 p.m.
The 29th and best . . . Hail !
MRunner73
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:53 p.m.
The U.S. News methodology makes sense. The diversity of the student body today may work both ways but with some not doing as well acedemically. The U of M College entry standards remain exceptionally high which should promote the higher graduation rate. Perhaps some of the classes offered today are more frivolous, just a thought. The constant upgrading of campus buildings and residential living places like the Law Quad and East Quad should be a big plus.
GoNavy
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
Oh, the old kabuki dance whereby our degrees are rendered more or less valuable each year by factors and variables totally unrelated to anybody's actual education.
An Arborigine
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
I think I may be listing to starboard, help!
Aquarius
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
The leaders and best at telling everyone they are the leaders and best. Their mutual admiration, self-congratulatory culture portrays the arrogance that people despise about this overhyped institution.
Mike
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
And one of the most expensive private universities in the country.................congratulations!
Arborcomment
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
Keep voting 'em down folks, easier to disagree with facts via a thumb swipe than thought. Meanwhile, due to the high student loan debt, 40% of recent grads (within 5 years) have delayed a major purchase (car or house). 28% continued education (a combination of prior goals or not finding suitable employment with degree granted). 27% moved back in with family, 18% took additional part time jobs to supplement primary income (and to assist in repaying student loans) and 14% delayed marriage or another committed relationship. These are the folks that are going to be paying your social security soon - or... Whatever.
Arborcomment
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
Cost for tuition at universities has risen 1115% since 1978. There's much more than the old "state decreased the money" excuse. But it is a good racket while it lasts. But don't hold your breath. Tuition debt now exceeds credit card debt, 9.4% of recent college grads are unemployed, 19.1% underemployed. Average salary of those finding a job - $35K (5.4% inflation adjusted decrease from average the average of year 2000). Four in ten grads not working in field that require a college degree (ask your sales clerk). Useless degrees (unless the slim chance of joining academia to teach others in the useless degree cycle). Occupy was in the wrong place.
Mike
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 10:05 p.m.
It's only public if you can afford it...............
Blue Marker
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 5:44 p.m.
Yeah Mike, UM is a public university.
Ignatz
Wed, Sep 12, 2012 : 5:12 p.m.
You're not going to get a Mercedes for the price of a Scion. This is especially true when the State keeps on decreasing funding.