US News Top Public University rankings

[Drew]

If anyone is interested in what Uconn's ranking is in either one field or a particular discipline (or in comparison to B1g schools), let me know. Easy to check, 10 seconds, with excel.

School of Agriculture, specifically resource economics

 

[itgoeslike]

The metrics can be debated, but USN&WR rankings are more timely than the NSF data. I am willing to wager that in September, when the updated data become available, you'll see UCONN continue to climb the USN&WR rankings and pass 1 or 2 more B1G schools. The NSF data has more to do with research dollars and doesn't necessarily translate directly to academics or strength of graduate or undergraduate programs. Much of the data also typically lags 2-3 years behind. Having said that, I agree that the B1g and AAU value Research$ more than academic rankings. While UCONN still has some work to do, it's laying a multi-billion dollar foundation to become a leading research university. I think the B1G is capable of doing forward looking math and see where UCONN is heading. And by the way, it's going there with, or without, the B1G or the AAU.

 

[upstater]

The metrics can be debated, but USN&WR rankings are more timely than the NSF data. I am willing to wager that in September, when the updated data become available, you'll see UCONN continue to climb the USN&WR rankings and pass 1 or 2 more B1G schools. The NSF data has more to do with research dollars and doesn't necessarily translate directly to academics or strength of graduate or undergraduate programs. Much of the data also typically lags 2-3 years behind. Having said that, I agree that the B1g and AAU value Research$ more than academic rankings. While UCONN still has some work to do, it's laying a multi-billion dollar foundation to become a leading research university. I think the B1G is capable of doing forward looking math and see where UCONN is heading. And by the way, it's going there with, or without, the B1G or the AAU.

The NRC (not NSF) is totally comprehensive and does not look at research dollars solely (if it did, UConn's programs would rank at the bottom, not the middle of the B1G). They take almost every factor you can think of seriously, they measure productivity, efficiency, so much more than mere research dollars. It's a much better gauge of academic quality than the USNWP.

 

[upstater]

School of Agriculture, specifically resource economics

UConn only has 4 degree granting programs in the School of Ag., none of them are Ag. resource economics, BUT...

In Social Sciences, you will find Agricultural and Resource Economics which is ranked 15th. That rank would be good enough to be tied for last with Nebraska in the B1G (although only 9 B1G schools even have such a program at all).

 

[itgoeslike]

The NRC (not NSF) is totally comprehensive and does not look at research dollars solely (if it did, UConn's programs would rank at the bottom, not the middle of the B1G). They take almost every factor you can think of seriously, they measure productivity, efficiency, so much more than mere research dollars. It's a much better gauge of academic quality than the USNWP.

I think we are in agreement regarding the NRC and NSF. Having said that, the B1G (and AAU) put a higher value on research $ (emphasis on $). Granted, to some degree, it is somewhat interrelated, but to quote NSF data as a ranking mechanism for academics is a stretch.

 

[upstater]

I think we are in agreement regarding the NRC and NSF. Having said that, the B1G (and AAU) put a higher value on research $ (emphasis on $). Granted, to some degree, it is somewhat interrelated, but to quote NSF data as a ranking mechanism for academics is a stretch.

Yes, I agree. NSF just shows where the money is. I was mainly responding to Gfunk's contention about graduate school rankings of B1G schools relative to UConn. He linked to USN rankings, so I mentioned the NRC.

 

[woomba]

Sorry, I should have asked for a specific discipline and not just the degree program, so I'll give you the ranking by discipline.

Bio & Health:
Molecular Biology and Biochem: 76
Cell Biology: 31
Genetics: 33
Immunology: 34
Kinesiology: 1
Neuroscience: 57

Engine(r)ring:
Biomedical: 34
Chemical: 21
Environment: 36
Electrical: 35
Materials: 23
Polymer: 29
Mechanical: 41

Sciences:
Chemistry: 76
Computers: 27
Math: 75
Physics: 69

I think you're mis-interpreting the NRC numbers - as far as I can tell you're reporting the rankings from 5th percentage R rankings.

Since the study uses confidence intervals to report a range of possible rankings for each school's program you need to look at both the 5th and 95th percentile rankings and try to rank by range. That way you get the 90% confidence interval for that school.

For example, for Kinesiology...

School - 5% - 95%|
UConn - 1 - 8
Penn State - 1 - 3

You see that UConn's ranking has a 90% chance of being ranked between 1-8 while Penn state has a 90% change of being ranked 1-3.

While it's possible that UConn is ranked #1, Penn State is statistically more likely to be ranked higher than UConn.

 

[upstater]

I think you're mis-interpreting the NRC numbers - as far as I can tell you're reporting the rankings from 5th percentage R rankings.

Since the study uses confidence intervals to report a range of possible rankings for each school's program you need to look at both the 5th and 95th percentile rankings and try to rank by range. That way you get the 90% confidence interval for that school.

For example, for Kinesiology...

School - 5% - 95%|
UConn - 1 - 8
Penn State - 1 - 3

You see that UConn's ranking has a 90% chance of being ranked between 1-8 while Penn state has a 90% change of being ranked 1-3.

While it's possible that UConn is ranked #1, Penn State is statistically more likely to be ranked higher than UConn.

Yes, I know. But, I've sat through this with stat guys on committee. I wasn't about to explain here the NRC's upside down ranking system. For every specialty, there are about 100 schools (except for the very rare specialties), so the percentiles correspond somewhat to a ranking system. This is political anyway--the NRC can't unabashedly rank these schools like USNews does. Nonetheless, the stats guys I sat in with seemed to think the top quartile was where the meat was.

 

[3rdbass]

#25 Clemson
#51 Buffalo
#51 New Hampshire
#55 Rutgers

In the real world, such rankings are crazy. Clemson in front of Buffalo, Rutgers at the bottom of those 4 schools? FLIP IT. It's inverted.

Rugters is actually #25 as you were looking at Rugters-Newark branch and not Rutgers-New Brunswick(Main Campus) and Clemson is actually a real good school as I know living in Atlanta, GA.

 

[upstater]

Rugters is actually #25 as you were looking at Rugters-Newark branch and not Rutgers-New Brunswick(Main Campus) and Clemson is actually a real good school as I know living in Atlanta, GA.

Good catch on Rutgers. As for Clemson, not sure what living in Atlanta has to do with judging Clemson. How is it a real good school? Many of its programs and disciplines (i.e. not research, but the caliber of its faculty) rank in the 100s in the NRC tables, its research is low, I've know faculty who taught there who couldn't wait to leave for better supported institutions, such as Cincy for example. Once you're in the territory of teaching 3-3s or 4-4s, the level of research and publication is diminished. Put Buffalo's programs up against it, there's no comparison. There's a reason UB is an AAU school and has high ranked programs in the NRC tables. But Clemson does not.

 

[woomba]

They have similar undergraduate student profiles in terms of selectivity, GPA, and standardized test scores, which is what the lay person tends to look at.

No argument in it being a subpar research institution and lacking in prestige at the graduate levels though.

 

[upstater]

They have similar undergraduate student profiles in terms of selectivity, GPA, and standardized test scores, which is what the lay person tends to look at.

No argument in it being a subpar research institution and lacking in prestige at the graduate levels though.

It's not only graduate levels and research. It's the NRC rankings which are not based on research. That's a measure of faculty support as well as efficiency and productivity. Those rankings look at a variety of factors well beyond research.

UB is also roughly 1/3rd bigger.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

http://www.uconnfactorfiction.com/

Some rankings listed there. Added that link to the thread for fun. B1G fans can also use that link to show UConn football does have an appeal to some people.

The "piece" on "rank" and, especially, the one on Fiesta Bowl attendance made my blood boil. Why in #$k was this info not used when relevant and why isn't it part of a standard presentation to counter media horse crap.

 

[BoatShow]

The "piece" on "rank" and, especially, the one on Fiesta Bowl attendance made my blood boil. Why in #$k was this info not used when relevant and why isn't it part of a standard presentation to counter media horse crap.

Anyone who actually watched the game knows UConn's attendance numbers and the games overall attendance where egregiously misrepresented.

 

[itgoeslike]

It's not only graduate levels and research. It's the NRC rankings which are not based on research. That's a measure of faculty support as well as efficiency and productivity. Those rankings look at a variety of factors well beyond research.

UB is also roughly 1/3rd bigger.

It was my understanding that the NRC rankings relate more to doctoral and post graduate programs, whereas the USNWR rankings are weighted towards undergraduate data.

 

[upstater]

It was my understanding that the NRC rankings relate more to doctoral and post graduate programs, whereas the USNWR rankings are weighted towards undergraduate data.

I can't see how you separate grad/undergrad when the faculty are the same. So, even though you're right, they are grading grad programs, this is not simply a measure of research (which is what the AAU does). In fact, the research money doesn't come into it. Instead, it's a measure of university support for programs and faculty productivity. So, in that sense, they look at undergrad programs by virtue of faculty. Grad program come into it inasmuch as they count the size and scope of the PhD program. But, in my mind, it's the same thing. This is the way that academics rate their peers and how reputations are built. Is this important? Yes. Because those reputations trickle down into all the other rankings.

 

[junglehusky]

upstater, does NRC include UConn Health Center and satellite campuses for other universities, or is it main campus (Storrs) only?

 

[upstater]

upstater, does NRC include UConn Health Center and satellite campuses for other universities, or is it main campus (Storrs) only?

NRC does not look at any professional schools, so I assume they would not look at all at satellite campuses since any advanced degree from those schools will tend not to be in the Sciences, Engineering or Humanities.

As for UConn Health Center, YES, it is included under the University of Connecticut.

I see Medicinal Chemistry and Biomedical Science listed with a link to the Health Center.

 

[NickyNewark]

#25 Clemson
#51 Buffalo
#51 New Hampshire
#55 Rutgers

In the real world, such rankings are crazy. Clemson in front of Buffalo, Rutgers at the bottom of those 4 schools? FLIP IT. It's inverted.

@Are these RU rankings pre assimilation 1 July 13 UNJMD school?RU should get quite a large bump!?!

 

[NickyNewark]

Who is "they?" The AAU?

@I think these RU ranking are pre UNJMD school assimilation?It was publically announced RU would be upper B1G and public Ivy quality ranked again in very short order!?!

 

[upstater]

@I think these RU ranking in pre UNJMD school assimilation?It was publically announced RU would be upper B1G and public Ivy quality ranked again in very short order!?!

The rankings are by specialty. Not aggregate. So whether they are assimilated or not makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

 

[NickyNewark]

The metrics can be debated, but USN&WR rankings are more timely than the NSF data. I am willing to wager that in September, when the updated data become available, you'll see UCONN continue to climb the USN&WR rankings and pass 1 or 2 more B1G schools. The NSF data has more to do with research dollars and doesn't necessarily translate directly to academics or strength of graduate or undergraduate programs. Much of the data also typically lags 2-3 years behind. Having said that, I agree that the B1g and AAU value Research$ more than academic rankings. While UCONN still has some work to do, it's laying a multi-billion dollar foundation to become a leading research university. I think the B1G is capable of doing forward looking math and see where UCONN is heading. And by the way, it's going there with, or without, the B1G or the AAU.

@Possibly RU also since RU Pres Barchi announced the reassimilation of their Medical and Dentistry school on 1July13?

 

[NickyNewark]

The rankings are by specialty. Not aggregate. So whether they are assimilated or not makes absolutely no difference whatsoever.

Thank's

 

[Husky25]

Anyone who actually watched the game knows UConn's attendance numbers and the games overall attendance where egregiously misrepresented.

Unfortunately, the national media, as a whole, did not watch the game. They are relying on "hard" data provided by the NCAA, which does not include the secondary ticket market, but does include the tickets that Oklahoma "ate" by passing the cost to the Big 12.

 

[junglehusky]

@I think these RU ranking are pre UNJMD school assimilation?It was publically announced RU would be upper B1G and public Ivy quality ranked again in very short order!?!

I love how even people from New Jersey aren't sure how to spell UMDNJ. (I say this as a doctorate holder from a joint UMDNJ / Rutgers PhD program who had to try to explain that all the time... thankfully now all my classmates can all just say "Rutgers" if we weren't already)