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

Auburn University

2016 University Academic Rankings

Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a public research university located in Auburn, Alabama, United States. With more than 21,000 undergraduate students, and a total of more than 27,000 students and 1,200 faculty members, it is one of the largest universities in the state as well as one of two public flagship universities in the state of Alabama. Auburn was chartered on February 1, 1856, as the East Alabama Male College, a private liberal arts school affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1872, the college became the state's first public land-grant university under the Morrill Act and was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama. In 1892, the college became the first four-year coeducational school in the state. The curriculum at the university originally focused on engineering and agriculture. This trend changed under the guidance of Dr. William Leroy Broun, who taught classics and sciences and believed both disciplines were important in the overall growth of the university and the individual. The college was renamed the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API) in 1899, largely because of Dr. Broun's influence. The college continued expanding, and in 1960 its name was officially changed to Auburn University to acknowledge the varied academic programs and larger curriculum of a major university. It had been popularly known as "Auburn" for many years. In 1964, under Federal Court mandate AU admitted its first African American student. Auburn is among the few American universities designated as a land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research center.

History

Auburn University was chartered by the Alabama Legislature as the East Alabama Male College on February 1, 1856, coming under the guidance of the Methodist Church in 1859. The first president of the institution was Reverend William J. Sasnett, and the school opened its doors in 1859 to a student body of eighty and a faculty of ten. The early history of Auburn is inextricably linked with the Civil War and the Reconstruction-era South. Classes were held in "Old Main" until the college was closed due to the Civil War, when most of the students and faculty left to enlist. The campus was used as a training ground for the Confederate Army, and "Old Main" served as a hospital for Confederate wounded.

To commemorate Auburn's contribution to the Civil War, a cannon lathe used for the manufacture of cannons for the Confederate Army and recovered from Selma, Alabama, was presented to Auburn in 1952 by brothers of Delta Chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. It sits today on the lawn next to Samford Hall.

Post-Civil War

The school was reopened in 1866 following the end of the Civil War and has been open ever since. In 1872, control of the institution was transferred from the Methodist Church to the State of Alabama for financial reasons. Alabama placed the school under the provisions of the Morrill Act as a land-grant institution, the first in the South to be established separate from the state university. This act provided for 240,000 acres (971 km²) of Federal land to be sold in order to provide funds for an agricultural and mechanical school. As a result, in 1872 the school was renamed the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama.

Under the provisions of this act, land-grant institutions were also supposed to teach military tactics and train officers for the United States military. In the late 19th century, most students at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama were enrolled in the cadet program, learning military tactics and training to become future officers. Each county in the state was allowed to nominate two cadets to attend the college free of charge.

In 1892, two historic events occurred: women were first admitted to the Agricultural and Mechanical Colleg ... [more on wikipedia]

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Auburn University", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

Auburn University Details

Auburn University Details
detail value
stateAlabama
conferenceSoutheastern Conference
publicPublic
scores1730/1153/26
levelAboveAverage
rank[139
overall ROI rank[79
sizemedium-large
undergrads20629
grads5283
price46348
drop31
stem31
research147
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Auburn University?

1. number 139 for Academics.

2. number 79 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Auburn University?

1. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

2. University of Kansas

3. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

4. Virginia Commonwealth University

5. Clemson University

6. Kansas State University

7. Oklahoma State University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Auburn University National Academic Rankings

Auburn University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top2501391941871101041231104479
Div1747167726776742143
Div1 Nonivy656661645969671933
Div1 Public453935474857601217
Public636361565569731838
Power5474236474653551423
Stem Low828686646469623562
Southeastern Conference874101081134
South East Region214441232222251010
State of Alabama123221341
Top Ten Top2501391941871101041231104479
Top Ten Southeastern Conference874997935
Top Ten State of Alabama123221321


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

(mathematically similar student body, size, academics, stem, salary... etc)

Auburn University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Auburn University

Auburn University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Auburn University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.88
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
99.58
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
99.51
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
99.15
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
98.91
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
93.24
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
93.23
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
93.12
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
93.09
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
93.01
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
92.76
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
92.49
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
92.42
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
92.28
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
92.07
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
92.04
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
92.01
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
91.85
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
91.82
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
91.66
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
91.51
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
91.47
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
91.43
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
86.37
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
86.31
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
86.19
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
85.94
University of ConnecticutConnecticutBig East ConferencePublicGood87139
85.76
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
85.75
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
85.67
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginiaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood7540
85.66
University of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage202106
85.52
University of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage359314
85.47
Oakland UniversityMichiganHorizon LeaguePublicAverage417270
85.46
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
85.44
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
85.43
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
85.40
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
85.33
Stony Brook UniversityNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicGood62109
85.20
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
85.16
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
84.99
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
84.57
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
84.56
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
84.55
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
84.20
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
83.98
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
83.77
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
83.44
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
83.39
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
83.38
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

Auburn University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Auburn University

Auburn University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Auburn University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
96.88
Michigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAboveAverage14658
95.42
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
95.14
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
95.02
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
94.94
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
94.24
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
94.19
University of VermontVermontAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage136191
93.33
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
92.51
Michigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten ConferencePublicAverage11174
92.51
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
92.44
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
92.38
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
92.10
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
91.84
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAboveAverage135182
91.80
Baylor UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePrivateGood134128
91.80
Miami University-OxfordOhioMid American ConferencePublicGood11867
91.22
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkSkyline ConferencePrivateGood141208
90.61
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
90.56
Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinoisDivision III IndependentsPrivateGood12255
88.58
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicGood9688
87.99
University of TulsaOklahomaAmerican Athletic ConferencePrivateGood13975
86.55
United States Military AcademyNew YorkDivision I-A Independents / Pa...PublicGood14578
85.60
United States Naval AcademyMarylandDivision I Independents / Patr...PublicExcellent12648
85.41
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIndianaHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...PrivateExcellent15960
84.31
United States Air Force AcademyColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicExcellent9130
83.96
Bucknell UniversityPennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent13193
83.90
University of RichmondVirginiaColonial Athletic Association ...PrivateExcellent128150
83.88
St Olaf CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateExcellent144127
83.07
Bryn Mawr CollegePennsylvaniaCentennial ConferencePrivateExcellent137205
81.96
Davidson CollegeNorth CarolinaPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateExcellent155129
81.00
Reed CollegeOregonNo Conference AffiliationPrivateExcellent106144
79.64
Hamilton CollegeNew YorkNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateElite115153