By Aaron Miller-
The US and World Rankings is in crisis as more and more universities withdraw from its rankings
Columbia University is the latest to announce its withdrawal last Tuesday, revealing that it will no longer submit data to U.S. News and World Report for its rankings of undergraduate schools has added pressure to the reputation of the ranking system
The ranking system has long been seen as a useful guide to gauging the quality of law schools in America, but is now slowly losing its credibility.
“We remain concerned with the role that rankings have assumed in the undergraduate application process, both in the outsized influence they may play with prospective students, and in how they distil a university’s profile into a composite of data categories,” according to a release shared by the school’s Office of the Provost, citing Provost Mary Boyce and other administrators. “Much is lost in this approach.”
Columbia’s law, medical and nursing schools had previously decided not to submit data to U.S. News in their respective categories, with one common concern being that “the rankings do not accurately capture the student experience or the priorities of the institution.” The school came to the same conclusion for its undergraduate programs, according to the release.
“Mindful of all these concerns, Columbia will not submit data to the U.S. News undergraduate rankings,” the release said.
Columbia undertook a review effort “after certain data in our 2021 U.S. News and World Report undergraduate submission were challenged.”
The university came in second place among the list of best colleges for the 2022-2023 rankings, but dropped down to 18th place after it was revealed the school had provided faulty data that bumped it up on the list. Columbia paused data submission to the list as it reviewed the issue.
The university has not addressed the alleged faulty date in question that saw its ranking drop.
Additional schools, including Yale, Harvard and other top law schools, have also dropped out of U.S. News and World Report’s ranking system, prompting the outlet to make changes to how it ranks the schools.”
U.S. News responded to Columbia’s announcement saying that “despite the invaluable assistance our rankings offer to students nationwide, our critics tend to attribute every issue faced by academia — including the impending Supreme Court case mentioned in Columbia’s announcement — to our rankings.”
The outlet applauded Columbia’s move to make data sets for its undergraduate schools public and said it will continue ranking the school, stressing that “our rankings should be one factor” in students’ decision-making as they weigh college options.
In recent years, a noticeable trend has emerged among several universities in the United States: a growing number of institutions are voluntarily dropping out of college rankings. This decision, seemingly counterintuitive in an era of intense competition and performance measurement, has sparked debates and raised questions about the relevance and impact of these rankings. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and shed light on the complexities surrounding college rankings.
The Rise and Influence of College Rankings
College rankings, such as those published by U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, and QS World University Rankings, have become highly influential in the higher education landscape.
The rankings claim to provide an objective evaluation of universities based on various criteria, including academic reputation, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni success. They offer prospective students and parents a tool to compare institutions and make informed decisions about higher education options.
One of the primary reasons universities are withdrawing from rankings is the perceived methodological limitations and flaws within the ranking systems. Critics argue that these systems often rely heavily on metrics that do not adequately capture the multifaceted nature of higher education. The overemphasis on factors such as reputation, financial resources, and selectivity can overshadow the overall quality of education provided by an institution.
Incentives for Skewing Priorities
College rankings can inadvertently incentivize universities to prioritize aspects that enhance their rankings, rather than focusing on holistic educational objectives. This includes the allocation of resources towards faculty salaries and amenities, instead of investing in long-term improvements to teaching quality or student support services. Institutions that opt-out often seek to align their priorities with their mission and values, placing greater emphasis on personalized education and research innovation.
Critics argue that the current ranking methodologies do not adequately account for diversity and inclusion efforts within universities. By predominantly relying on standardized test scores and selectivity, these rankings tend to favour institutions with more affluent student populations and may inadvertently penalize those that prioritize access for underrepresented communities.
Some universities have decided to withdraw from the rankings to refocus their efforts on fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, without compromising their admissions standards.
However, some academics say diversity and inclusion in itself should not significantly affect the rankings of a university, which they say should be determined on the academic competence of teachers and students.
Many universities feel that rankings fail to recognize their efforts in fostering innovation and interdisciplinary education, arguing that they strive to create dynamic learning environments that encourage collaboration across disciplines and integrate real-world problem-solving into the curriculum.
The rigid criteria employed by ranking systems may not accurately capture the progress made by universities in these areas, leading them to opt-out in order to focus on their distinctive educational approaches.
Broader Performance Metrics
Institutions withdrawing from rankings often argue that the current systems fail to adequately measure their broader societal impact. Universities increasingly seek to address complex challenges through community engagement, public service, and research that directly benefits local and global communities. Such contributions may not be fully captured by traditional rankings, prompting universities to prioritize their social and civic responsibilities over rankings considerations.
The decision of some universities in the United States to withdraw from college rankings signifies a broader shift in higher education towards prioritizing institutional autonomy, mission-driven approaches, and student-centered learning. These institutions believe that rankings overlook crucial aspects of education, such as diversity.
US News rankings was contacted for comment