University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

Power5 University Academic Rankings

Search :
examples: Yale "Wake Forest" "Big Ten" TX NC

2016 Power5 University Academic Rankings

2016 Power5 University Academic Rankings
rank value image public university state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research r pop r stem r other salary ROI overall ROI scores value difficulty value smartest value brainpower value faculty value research value salary ROI value overall ROI value scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price scores valid
12.67
PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference5141147150112167|90-0.96|1002234|932196|916|983.00|971919988|961.00|992167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052True
23.83
PrivateStanford UniversityCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference26351631071132214|921.64|592237|932160|906|984.33|961548825|776.50|942214/1476/33Elite2933.55884701999446590062801True
35.33
PrivateNorthwestern UniversityIllinoisBig Ten Conference33227151422151032207|921.16|712243|932187|9120|9312.00|881606191|806.50|942207/1471/33Elite2663.416189048125065630065519True
-5.67
-Conf-Ivy League (Average)-Ivy League34337141221171892209|921.20|702241|932183|9118|9411.33|891491251|7511.00|892209/1473/33Elite2843.43580824691005957563427True
45.83
PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborMichiganBig Ten Conference8763101531932078|871.74|562206|922177|9131|901.00|991623972|816.50|942078/1385/31Excellent33103.27126228395152305800055404True
56.50
PrivateDuke UniversityNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference4459143165222191|911.35|662214|922129|8943|862.33|981781167|893.50|972191/1461/33Elite3453.441005662692306060063999True
66.83
PublicUniversity of California-BerkeleyCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference105861111222531122057|861.51|622192|912160|906|987.67|921424346|7118.50|822057/1371/31Excellent6093.2771127126104395950057234True
77.50
PrivateVanderbilt UniversityTennesseeSoutheastern Conference1214271022417632223|930.50|882244|942171|9068|777.00|931671994|846.50|942223/1482/33Elite2683.32544685158355730062320True
811.67
PrivateUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference7877192241261362332091|871.76|562193|912156|9053|8318.33|821194397|6035.00|652091/1394/31Elite2293.2560718739237145300064694True
911.83
PublicUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignIllinoisBig Ten Conference1212108524311919872012|842.05|492176|912143|8914|9619.67|801641922|828.50|922012/1341/30Excellent31163.2554832959121815640044194True
1012.00
PublicUniversity of California-Los AngelesCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference1715131287109463351974|822.22|452147|892108|8828|915.33|951193539|6036.50|641974/1316/30Excellent30103.2597429633122125180055856True
1113.17
PublicUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonWisconsinBig Ten Conference191816159265221101945|812.28|432131|892092|8729|911.67|981463214|7316.00|841945/1296/29Excellent33173.25110430694119044960040644True
1213.33
PublicUniversity of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinnesotaBig Ten Conference1614111016132171020101977|822.10|482158|902123|8847|849.67|901463954|7316.00|841977/1318/30Excellent38283.2582034351167965000032924True
1316.17
PublicUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference181620191212923652251964|822.22|442107|882053|8633|898.67|911288142|6432.50|681964/1309/29Excellent18103.1680318350107854620050732True
1416.67
PublicUniversity of VirginiaVirginiaAtlantic Coast Conference11101214183530343324142038|851.88|532149|902100|8752|8330.33|701446974|7219.00|812038/1359/31Excellent2663.203171648372495470056196True
1517.00
PublicThe University of Texas at AustinTexasBig Twelve Conference2122181742027161845211896|792.36|412122|882083|8713|9616.33|841370970|6930.00|701896/1264/28Good35173.1061439523117905590051352True
-17.17
-Conf-Ivy League (Low)-Ivy League7111117134444424818122127|891.96|512172|912090|8735|8840.00|601491251|7517.00|832127/1418/32Elite2843.43217824691005957563427True
1617.33
PublicUniversity of Maryland-College ParkMarylandBig Ten Conference15111413252629152953291982|832.00|502146|892106|8861|8020.67|791286437|6434.50|661982/1321/30Excellent45173.2548327056105545390044645True
1718.50
PrivateUniversity of Notre DameIndianaAtlantic Coast Conference699112650375556382141|891.82|542186|912109|8863|7945.67|541726380|8610.00|902141/1428/32Elite2343.40134844837315740062461True
1819.00
PublicOhio State UniversityOhioBig Ten Conference2217171628142217940201893|792.26|442129|892092|8769|7711.33|891388982|6929.00|711893/1262/28Good26193.0078544741135814930042285True
1921.33
PublicUniversity of Washington-Seattle CampusWashingtonPacific 12 Conference2745232265114347261840|772.68|332069|862021|8418|943.67|961343116|6733.00|671840/1226/28Good35183.21109330672141125350047817True
2021.50
PublicUniversity of FloridaFloridaSoutheastern Conference20201918351728131432181908|802.33|422115|882074|8683|7214.00|861418885|7126.00|741908/1272/29Good33153.1070632829166304950042831True
2123.17
PublicPennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten Conference33262423249781258411785|742.49|382063|862016|8459|806.33|941265338|6339.50|611785/1190/27AboveAverage37122.957884054164995250047548True
2224.00
PublicUniversity of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvaniaAtlantic Coast Conference23242627368411854381889|792.42|392058|861997|8384|726.00|941281778|6438.00|621889/1260/28Good28203.108631875798605030043360True
2325.00
PublicPurdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten Conference352731311016171222791775|742.50|382030|851976|8231|9013.33|871666579|8315.00|851775/1183/27AboveAverage41302.955773023795155550041804True
2425.67
PrivateBoston CollegeMassachusettsAtlantic Coast Conference9191520296262626255412062|862.31|422132|892035|8572|7662.00|381278394|6439.50|612062/1375/31Excellent1293.3551985644615310063022True
2425.67
PublicRutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten Conference29252524173447272364501805|752.48|382060|862011|8451|8328.00|721169199|5844.00|561805/1203/27AboveAverage27212.9543234544138345080044711True
2626.67
PrivateUniversity of MiamiFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference13132129572714313560492008|842.08|482100|871988|83143|5321.67|781221694|6143.00|572008/1339/30Excellent30223.253231117554994930062854True
2727.50
PublicUniversity of IowaIowaBig Ten Conference25333030222518352048371845|772.60|352045|851987|8358|8120.00|801333839|6737.50|631845/1230/28Good17283.104452235476164500040191True
2727.50
PublicNorth Carolina State University at RaleighNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference30233334153034144615151795|752.39|402022|841962|8244|8524.33|761513701|7621.00|791795/1197/27AboveAverage58262.953812447395165060038209True
2927.67
PublicTexas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern Conference4239282613183118115121730|722.64|342046|851998|8337|8814.67|851682779|8417.00|831730/1153/26AboveAverage29182.9569647093145495520039873True
3030.17
PublicVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginiaAtlantic Coast Conference28412928342119202817161834|762.66|342045|851989|8382|7317.67|821492212|7523.50|771834/1222/28Good38173.204342424769775450041868True
3131.67
PrivateWake Forest UniversityNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference14213651452312564230232001|832.34|412008|841859|77107|6418.67|811426115|7130.50|702001/1334/30Excellent12123.25202486729214910062538True
3231.83
PublicUniversity of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 Conference37303837202923302734261745|732.55|361999|831938|8155|8223.67|761406109|7033.00|671745/1163/26AboveAverage27292.903772655758755000052387True
3332.67
PublicFlorida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference30292725374852493957531795|752.54|372050|851999|8384|7244.33|561270435|6445.00|551795/1197/27AboveAverage18252.952313294882784240036765True
3434.00
PublicUniversity of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern Conference24472221464448463435291877|782.68|332081|872032|85112|6340.00|601400478|7034.50|661877/1251/28Good17173.202762688283154660040890True
3537.33
PublicUniversity of South Carolina-ColumbiaSouth CarolinaSoutheastern Conference33313535395154544159541785|742.57|362017|841957|8295|6846.67|531223771|6147.00|531785/1190/27AboveAverage17282.952152486681054390043847True
3637.50
PublicArizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 Conference46463433303649293142401705|712.68|332018|841964|8273|7631.67|681388451|6939.00|611705/1137/26AboveAverage31382.9535739961103594840038977True
3739.00
PublicClemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference30284040445246515213171795|752.51|371986|831908|79105|6548.33|521517832|7625.00|751795/1197/27AboveAverage26182.951611726045975190047166True
3840.00
PublicIndiana University-BloomingtonIndianaBig Ten Conference41483232335461584446481740|732.69|332028|841975|8280|7350.67|491367915|6842.00|581740/1160/26AboveAverage10252.951823641999974540047270True
3940.67
PublicMichigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten Conference57434138323337282127261640|682.67|331979|821919|8077|7526.67|731436740|7233.00|671640/1093/25Average24212.8046438786112954880047115True
4042.00
PublicThe University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern Conference37374241544142393267601745|732.64|341978|821907|79136|5536.33|64942217|4753.50|471745/1163/26AboveAverage22352.953102166487223860047870True
4142.17
PublicUniversity of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten Conference37354445494335444341441745|732.63|341969|821894|79123|5938.67|611388633|6941.00|591745/1163/26AboveAverage23302.952271997950274450036706True
4242.50
PublicUniversity of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern Conference37403736594650503839431745|732.65|342003|831943|81145|5243.00|571389124|6940.50|601745/1163/26AboveAverage18302.952362764277834410038624True
4342.67
PublicUniversity of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 Conference56684843221916211633381642|682.99|251962|821897|7958|8115.00|851411994|7138.00|621642/1094/25Average26363.106083298792495010043621True
4443.83
PublicIowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve Conference48534339413937364016211685|702.72|321972|821908|8099|6735.00|651499625|7530.00|701685/1123/25AboveAverage29312.952602889355424950031920True
4545.50
PrivateBaylor UniversityTexasBig Twelve Conference26323947656464646449541844|772.59|351998|831887|79199|3464.00|361315533|6647.00|531844/1230/28Good19273.10111385924044680053960True
4645.67
PublicUniversity of UtahUtahPacific 12 Conference50555049422824252623291671|702.74|321942|811868|78101|6723.00|771450321|7334.50|661671/1114/25AboveAverage33302.954082390776084810039959True
4746.50
PublicAuburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern Conference42364746535552475814231730|722.63|341963|821888|79133|5651.67|481515212|7630.50|701730/1153/26AboveAverage31312.951472062952834830046348True
4846.67
PublicUniversity of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve Conference4542494851454542474181720|722.67|331958|821884|78128|5842.33|581702472|8526.00|741720/1147/26AboveAverage27302.952162101162505470036729True
4947.33
PublicOregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 Conference57385554404036334865641640|682.64|341923|801846|7798|6735.67|641040299|5257.00|431640/1093/25Average36362.802292390349834860041765True
5047.50
PublicLouisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern Conference47504644603831383719291695|712.72|321964|821896|79167|4534.00|661467834|7334.50|661695/1130/25AboveAverage26382.952882557254724890041867True
5150.17
PublicUniversity of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern Conference52635353483226372443541665|692.79|301930|801852|77119|6026.00|741383934|6947.00|531665/1110/25AboveAverage20392.953652222369804580037602True
5251.83
PublicUniversity of KansasKansasBig Twelve Conference51605655474237413637521667|692.78|301913|801828|76116|6238.00|621395010|7044.50|561667/1111/25AboveAverage22362.952861934378374530039405True
5352.33
PublicUniversity of OregonOregonPacific 12 Conference55655756216055606068671650|692.84|291910|801826|7656|8158.00|42891509|4560.50|401650/1100/25AboveAverage13322.951012055935374330045375True
5452.83
PublicUniversity of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern Conference49625252435957575929451675|702.78|301933|811857|77102|6657.33|431426896|7141.50|591675/1117/25AboveAverage18372.951192183644014720035156True
5553.17
PrivateSyracuse UniversityNew YorkAtlantic Coast Conference42675457386159596166671730|722.94|271927|801823|7687|7159.67|40965268|4860.50|401730/1153/26AboveAverage16193.15921522462685000059320True
5653.50
PublicThe University of AlabamaAlabamaSoutheastern Conference52574542626363636318361665|692.77|311966|821903|79170|4463.00|371469716|7337.00|631665/1110/25AboveAverage10322.90503075252955590042329True
5753.67
PublicOklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve Conference59445858505350485426451635|682.67|331903|791819|76126|5849.67|501437646|7241.50|591635/1090/25Average27352.801592095250104610034327True
5853.83
PublicWashington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 Conference68666463313120323061651525|642.84|291851|771762|7376|7525.33|751208669|6059.50|411525/1017/23Average25322.803432386748194870041288True
5954.00
PrivateTexas Christian UniversityTexasBig Twelve Conference36346065646565656550611770|742.63|341881|781696|71196|3565.00|351296102|6554.50|461770/1180/27AboveAverage8252.956864713864740053730True
5954.00
PublicTexas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve Conference61495150565759535712341625|682.69|331935|811865|78140|5455.00|451546458|7735.50|651625/1083/24Average26362.801402863265265150031047True
6154.17
PublicMississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern Conference54585959583725404522451660|692.77|311888|791787|74144|5232.00|681451843|7341.50|591660/1107/25AboveAverage29372.952301653636024640033958True
6259.33
PublicUniversity of MississippiMississippiSoutheastern Conference61546161615855615551631625|682.73|321876|781781|74168|4456.00|441289394|6456.50|441625/1083/24Average10382.801211810144024160034752True
6361.54
PublicKansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve Conference66526260554944435325501600|672.72|321875|781786|74137|5445.00|551442029|7244.00|561600/1067/24Average31412.801692032744394790035896True
6461.80
PublicUniversity of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast Conference64516564524743454956661610|672.72|321849|771736|72132|5644.00|561270498|6460.00|401610/1073/24Average25452.801941596156004320038232True
6564.33
PublicArizona State University-Downtown PhoenixArizonaPacific 12 Conference63596666666666666644611615|672.77|311764|741536|64300|066.00|341380595|6954.50|461615/1077/24Average002.800915020664840040941True
6667.08
PublicWest Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve Conference67646362635658525128541545|642.82|301855|771766|74177|4152.67|471432739|7247.00|531545/1030/23Average24412.801622256366125570032895True
6769.15
PublicArizona State University-PolytechnicArizonaPacific 12 Conference59566767666666666638591635|682.74|321569|651300|54300|066.00|341390375|7052.50|481635/1090/25Average0492.80037503444840038496True
6870.81
PublicArizona State University-WestArizonaPacific 12 Conference64616868666666666636581610|672.78|301490|621161|48300|066.00|341395495|7052.00|481610/1073/24Average0452.80032953974840037216True

Common Questions...

What are the best Power 5 universities in the US?

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

2. Stanford University

3. Northwestern University

4. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

5. Duke University

6. University of California-Berkeley

7. Vanderbilt University

2016 Top 10 Power5 University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Power5 University Academic Rankings
rank value public name state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price
12.50PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference514113112167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052
23.67PrivateStanford UniversityCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference263515752214/1476/33Elite2933.55884701999446590062801
23.67PrivateNorthwestern UniversityIllinoisBig Ten Conference332257632207/1471/33Elite2663.416189048125065630065519
44.00PrivateVanderbilt UniversityTennesseeSoutheastern Conference1214106322223/1482/33Elite2683.32544685158355730062320
-4.33-Conf-Ivy League (Average)-Ivy League343358872209/1473/33Elite2843.43580824691005957563427
55.17PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborMichiganBig Ten Conference776371562078/1385/31Excellent33103.27126228395152305800055404
65.33PrivateDuke UniversityNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference445982232191/1461/33Elite3453.441005662692306060063999
76.00PublicUniversity of California-BerkeleyCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference858618872057/1371/31Excellent6093.2771127126104395950057234
87.67PrivateUniversity of Southern CaliforniaCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference687799992091/1394/31Elite2293.2560718739237145300064694
98.17PublicUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignIllinoisBig Ten Conference9998410472012/1341/30Excellent31163.2554832959121815640044194
108.33PublicUniversity of California-Los AngelesCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference101010106410101974/1316/30Excellent30103.2597429633122125180055856