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

Intense Engineering (STEM 50%+) University Academic Rankings

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

2016 Stem High University Academic Rankings

2016 Stem High 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
11.83
PrivateCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...11311415131532306|96-3.94|1002212|922231|933|993.00|971638972|828.00|922306/1537/35Elite91123.2536898312267260060990True
22.67
PrivateMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsNew England Football Conferenc...2213712191222241|93-1.05|1002239|932181|9129|911.00|991693581|857.00|932241/1494/34Elite8763.26742451268077490061030True
32.83
PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference532223527112167|90-0.96|1002234|932196|916|982.33|981919988|962.00|982167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052True
45.83
PublicUniversity of California-BerkeleyCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference1010442564228142057|861.51|622192|912160|906|983.67|961424346|7116.00|842057/1371/31Excellent6093.2771127126104395950057234True
56.67
PrivateCarnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvaniaUniversity Athletic Association6856510101181132150|901.35|662169|902071|8615|958.67|911696755|858.00|922150/1433/32Elite53113.40241588866996470063822True
67.67
PrivateRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...76796117151529162084|870.54|872104|881981|8321|939.67|901400519|7017.50|832084/1389/31Excellent67153.0087561812176330064198True
78.33
PrivateCase Western Reserve UniversityOhioPresidents' Athletic Conferenc...89811864831372074|861.48|632081|871959|8231|904.33|961688520|8410.00|902074/1383/31Excellent50213.25426491158605840059634True
88.50
PublicUniversity of California-San DiegoCaliforniaDivision II Independents1420654233138221946|812.06|492118|882073|869|971.33|991264279|6323.00|771946/1298/29Excellent50133.2510092481058995240054132True
914.83
PrivateFranklin W Olin College of EngineeringMassachusettsNo Conference Affiliation3598323232292630182219|920.19|952037|852037|85300|029.00|711381467|6919.50|812219/1479/33Elite7943.40035006000063801True
914.83
PublicNorth Carolina State University at RaleighNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast Conference2428101098127622121795|752.39|402022|841962|8244|856.67|931513701|7615.50|851795/1197/27AboveAverage58262.953812447395165060038209True
1115.00
PrivateHarvey Mudd CollegeCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...441173232322926852210|92-0.04|1002020|842055|86300|029.00|711746018|879.50|912210/1473/33Elite76153.31080407820066627True
1215.33
PrivateWorcester Polytechnic InstituteMassachusettsUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...11121414152625261824171984|831.76|561969|821821|7677|7522.67|771473669|7418.00|821984/1322/30Excellent63223.2520423521466370059504True
1316.67
PrivatePolytechnic Institute of New York UniversityNew YorkNo Reported Affiliation15141316113130292631201940|811.83|541997|831806|7567|7828.33|721372928|6922.00|781940/1293/29Good97453.101570000648000True
1417.50
PublicColorado School of MinesColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic Conference181620231018151719551926|801.93|521920|801748|7347|8415.33|851818501|919.50|911926/1284/29Good89293.1051445615066550048097True
1518.00
PrivateStevens Institute of TechnologyNew JerseyEmpire Eight13112426132120231719151964|821.74|561858|771707|7170|7718.33|821604939|8017.00|831964/1309/29Excellent71203.2536289232336680061430True
1618.67
PublicUnited States Air Force AcademyColoradoMountain West Conference121515152827192926791982|831.90|521956|811808|75200|3323.33|771804258|9011.50|891982/1321/30Excellent53173.257039520719000True
1719.17
PublicUniversity of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic Conference30351212179149436291730|722.56|362006|841948|81112|637.33|931274843|6426.50|741730/1153/26AboveAverage51432.9540831067108714270031824True
1820.33
PublicMissouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference221917241822201924381885|792.04|491939|811730|72130|5719.00|811833193|9210.50|901885/1257/28Good93303.1041652021206270036603True
1921.33
PublicUniversity of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica East24251821231717161443321795|752.37|411938|811767|74143|5214.67|851124290|5631.00|691795/1197/27AboveAverage64392.95851137926004970037618True
2022.00
PrivateCooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtNew YorkNo Conference Affiliation973418323232292626222065|861.09|731730|721794|75300|029.00|711448446|7223.00|772065/1377/31Excellent84243.250893736270060345True
2122.83
PublicUnited States Naval AcademyMarylandDivision I Independents / Patr...17211922283028292610121931|802.08|481926|801756|73200|3328.00|721711773|8615.50|851931/1287/29Excellent53103.251045110782000True
2122.83
PublicMichigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...2724273212151214266101768|742.29|431809|751562|6569|7713.00|871814991|9113.50|871768/1178/27AboveAverage100322.9569565814416280042536True
2323.00
PrivateIllinois Institute of TechnologyIllinoisDivision III Independents21183030142524202617191889|791.99|501792|751594|6670|7721.67|781632257|8220.00|801889/1260/28Good100353.1038309947995940057232True
2425.33
PrivateRochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...26271619323232292646381790|752.38|401955|811783|74300|029.00|711050715|5335.00|651790/1193/27AboveAverage63322.9501346028505690049361True
2527.00
PublicUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleAlabamaGulf South Conference30263236241411132620211730|722.38|411773|741512|63144|5212.33|881582808|7922.50|781730/1153/26AboveAverage100502.9580561817305300035606True
2627.67
PrivateRose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIndianaHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...1613442932323229262111935|811.82|541470|611616|67300|029.00|711871883|9414.00|861935/1290/29Excellent72123.25022801086720058740True
2728.17
PublicNew Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew JerseyIndependent Northeast Region36333134191615122539341670|702.50|381775|741533|64132|5613.67|861257111|6333.00|671670/1113/25AboveAverage100392.9599755030965520047268True
2829.67
PrivateMilwaukee School of EngineeringWisconsinNorthern Athletics Collegiate ...23233533323232292618221865|782.14|471675|701537|64300|029.00|711609534|8023.00|771865/1243/28Good87433.10025962146150047528True
2930.00
PublicThe University of Texas at ArlingtonTexasSun Belt Conference46482113221928181125301585|662.77|311916|801844|77139|5416.00|841469979|7327.00|731585/1057/24Average52552.80742988398575590031864True
3030.33
PrivateClarkson UniversityNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...29324041162420252235331735|722.46|391627|681356|5697|6821.00|791276873|6432.50|681735/1157/26AboveAverage76272.951732476266190059922True
3130.50
PublicNew Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyNew MexicoNo Conference Affiliation20174735323232292616261899|791.95|511399|581514|63300|029.00|711637471|8223.50|771899/1266/28Good100513.10016334945660031422True
3231.33
PublicUnited States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticutNew England Football Conferenc...19224637323232292614221901|792.09|481402|581498|62300|029.00|711639597|8223.00|771901/1267/29Good77173.1008960782002393True
3331.50
PublicUniversity of Missouri-St LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference37382525323232292640391650|692.61|351857|771709|71300|029.00|711255287|6336.50|641650/1100/25AboveAverage79472.9501387431984420037168True
3432.20
PublicUniversity of Colorado DenverColoradoNo Conference Affiliation4046262821786533351628|682.69|331838|771619|67138|545.67|941315265|6633.50|671628/1085/24Average59542.804131350992824730040452True
3532.83
PublicSUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryNew YorkNo Conference Affiliation3031484728138242148421730|722.44|391060|441216|51200|3311.67|881001723|5041.50|591730/1153/26AboveAverage83332.952817284724580034418True
3532.83
PrivateFlorida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...34363940202827272023311700|712.56|361630|681379|57135|5524.67|751503419|7529.00|711700/1133/26AboveAverage67432.9515363627575610055300True
3733.80
PublicPortland State UniversityOregonBig Sky Conference51502320252326221650461565|652.79|301864|781777|74153|4919.67|80900815|4543.50|571565/1043/23Average57552.80582213655604360039018True
3834.70
PublicCalifornia State Polytechnic University-PomonaCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...46452217323232292645421585|662.68|331878|781794|75300|029.00|711056317|5341.50|591585/1057/24Average56412.8002239515714760035113True
3934.83
PrivateDrury UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley Conference35343739323232292647451688|702.55|361640|681391|58300|029.00|711018877|5143.00|571688/1125/25AboveAverage75462.95039182973760036241True
4035.33
PublicSouth Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth DakotaGreat Northwest Athletic Conference2830454532323229269281740|732.42|391450|601325|55300|029.00|711740358|8724.50|761740/1160/26AboveAverage82492.95024713276230025730True
4136.17
PublicUniversity of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf38443338323232292627361649|692.66|341748|731435|60300|029.00|711435697|7234.00|661649/1099/25AboveAverage65462.95071711752501000True
4236.20
PublicSouthern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinoisMissouri Valley Conference46492831272023211234411585|662.77|311805|751576|66156|4816.67|831301425|6538.00|621585/1057/24Average52542.80711346145284590038606True
4337.00
PublicWayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...52512927261217101032401500|632.87|281795|751684|70155|4810.67|891352275|6837.50|631500/1000/23Average67662.802531834792314560037118True
4437.17
PrivateKettering UniversityMichiganNo Conference Affiliation3329494832323229264271720|722.40|401040|431198|50300|029.00|711822272|9124.00|761720/1147/26AboveAverage100372.95017323476470052917True
4538.33
PrivateWentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsCommonwealth Coast Conference41404144323232292642461625|682.62|341605|671327|55300|029.00|711161501|5843.50|571625/1083/24Average53392.80043292295550049855True
4638.50
PrivateRegis UniversityColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic Conference44423843323232292637421610|672.64|341631|681334|56300|029.00|711264421|6341.50|591610/1073/24Average58372.800500941995050047100True
4739.00
PublicUniversity of Illinois at SpringfieldIllinoisGreat Lakes Valley Conference39394349323232292644491628|682.62|341471|611180|49300|029.00|711123916|5645.50|551628/1085/24Average51382.800303823934160034017True
4839.50
PrivateEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFloridaFlorida Sun Conference41373642323232292621371625|682.60|351644|681353|56300|029.00|711546104|7734.50|661625/1083/24Average60432.80049675715730047582True
4941.60
PrivateNova Southeastern UniversityFloridaSunshine State Conference45474246282931282341481600|672.72|321603|671309|55200|3326.67|731245255|6245.00|551600/1067/24Average75542.80124699194494510043946True
5044.90
PrivateCentenary College of LouisianaLouisianaSouthern Collegiate Athletic C...43435051323232292649501613|672.64|34825|34928|39300|029.00|71990506|5049.50|511613/1075/24Average56412.800553663550049950True
5145.00
PrivateBrandman UniversityCaliforniaNo Conference Affiliation50525252323232292652511565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|029.00|71505917|2551.50|491565/1043/23Unknown10002.80039903805319000False
5246.28
PrivateSaint Martin's UniversityWashingtonGreat Northwest Athletic Conference49415150323232292651511580|662.63|34760|32944|39300|029.00|71543595|2751.50|491580/1053/24Average80492.80014563453190045678True

Common Questions...

What are the best Engineering universities in the US?

1. California Institute of Technology

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Georgia Institute of Technology

4. University of California-Berkeley

5. Carnegie Mellon University

6. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

7. Case Western Reserve University

2016 Top 10 Stem High University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Stem High 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
11.83PrivateCalifornia Institute of TechnologyCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...113114632306/1537/35Elite91123.2536898312267260060990
22.67PrivateMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusettsNew England Football Conferenc...221371422241/1494/34Elite8763.26742451268077490061030
32.83PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference532223112167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052
45.50PublicUniversity of California-BerkeleyCaliforniaPacific 12 Conference994425762057/1371/31Excellent6093.2771127126104395950057234
56.00PrivateCarnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvaniaUniversity Athletic Association675657342150/1433/32Elite53113.40241588866996470063822
66.17PublicUniversity of California-San DiegoCaliforniaDivision II Independents101065421091946/1298/29Excellent50133.2510092481058995240054132
77.17PrivateFranklin W Olin College of EngineeringMassachusettsNo Conference Affiliation359899992219/1479/33Elite7943.40035006000063801
77.17PrivateHarvey Mudd CollegeCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...4410799252210/1473/33Elite76153.31080407820066627
77.17PrivateRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...767968872084/1389/31Excellent67153.0087561812176330064198
108.00PrivateCase Western Reserve UniversityOhioPresidents' Athletic Conferenc...8881086572074/1383/31Excellent50213.25426491158605840059634