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

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

2016 University Academic Rankings

Colorado State University (also referred to as Colorado State and CSU) is a public research university located in Fort Collins, in the U.S. state of Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.

The current enrollment is approximately 32,236 students, including resident and non-resident instruction students and the University is planning on having 35,000 students by 2020. The university has approximately 1,540 faculty in eight colleges and 55 academic departments. Bachelor's degrees are offered in 65 fields of study, with master's degrees in 55 fields. Colorado State confers doctoral degrees in 40 fields of study, in addition to a professional degree in veterinary medicine.

In fiscal year 2012, CSU spent $375.9 million on research and development, ranking 60th in the nation overall and 34th when excluding medical school spending.

History

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Colorado State University is a land-grant institution classified as a Carnegie Doctoral/RU/VH: Research Universities (very high research activity). CSU was founded as Colorado Agricultural College in 1870, six years before the Colorado Territory gained statehood. It was one of 68 land-grant colleges established under the Morrill Act of 1862. Doors opened to a freshman class of 1 student in 1879.

Early years

Arising from the Morrill Act, the act to create the university was signed by the Colorado Territory governor Edward M. McCook in 1870. However, during its first years the university existed only on paper. While a board of 12 trustees was formed to "purchase and manage property, erect buildings, establish basic rules for governing the institutions and employ buildings," the near complete lack of funding by the territorial legislature for this mission severely hampered progress.

The first 30-acre (120,000 m2) parcel of land for the campus was deeded in 1871 by Robert Dazell. In 1872, the Larimer County Land Improvement Company contributed a second 80-acre (320,000 m²) parcel. The first $1000 to erect buildings was finally allocated by the territorial legislature in 1874. The funds were not, however, and trustees were required to find a matching amount, which they eventually obtained from local citizens and businesses.

Among the institutions which donated matching funds was the local Grange, which was heavily involved in the early establishment of the university. As part of this effort, in the spring of 1874 Grange No. 6 held a picnic and planting event at the corner of College Avenue and West Laurel Street, and later plowed and seeded 20 acres (80,000 m²) of wheat on a nearby field. Within several months, the university's first building, a 16-foot (4.9 m)-by-24-foot red brick building nicknamed the "Claim Shanty" was finished, providing the first tangible presence of the institution in Fort Collins.

After Colorado achieved statehood in 1876, the territorial law establishing the college was required to be reauthorized. In 1877, the state legislature created the eight-member State Board of Agriculture to govern the school. Early in the 21st century, the governing board was renamed the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System. The legislature also authorized a railroad right-of-way across the campus and a mill levy to raise money for construction of the campus' first main building, Old Main, which was completed in December 1878. Despite wall cracks and other structural problems suffered during its first year, the building was opened in time for the welcoming of the first fiv ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Colorado State University Details

Colorado State University Details
detail value
stateColorado
conferenceMountain West Conference
publicPublic
scores1700/1133/26
levelAboveAverage
rank[143
overall ROI rank[139
sizemedium-large
undergrads23598
grads7756
price39911
drop34
stem33
research337
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Colorado State University-Fort Collins?

1. number 143 for Academics.

2. number 139 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Colorado State University-Fort Collins?

1. University of Utah

2. University of California-Irvine

3. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

4. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

5. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

6. University of Colorado Boulder

7. University at Buffalo



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Colorado State University National Academic Rankings

Colorado State University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top25014320821111510613261123139
Div1767881746881496885
Div1 Nonivy687376666175416679
Div1 Public474650495063346157
Public647377595674395666
Stem Low899294686572487191
Mountain West Conference122116153
South West Region13232611101975425
State of Colorado467225354
Top Ten Top25014320821111510613261123139
Top Ten Mountain West Conference122116151
Top Ten State of Colorado467225354


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Colorado State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Colorado State University

Colorado State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Colorado State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.91
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
99.76
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
99.49
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
99.45
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
99.27
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
99.26
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
98.95
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
98.80
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
98.78
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
98.54
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
98.06
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
93.32
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
93.15
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginiaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood7540
93.14
University of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage202106
92.95
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
92.49
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
92.37
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
92.31
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
91.86
University of ConnecticutConnecticutBig East ConferencePublicGood87139
91.54
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
91.44
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
91.43
University of HoustonTexasAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage8960
91.34
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
91.22
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
91.18
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
90.60
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
86.58
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
86.37
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
86.36
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
86.16
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
85.92
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
85.90
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
85.74
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
85.49
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
85.31
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage167212
85.30
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvaniaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood5075
84.97
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
84.79
University of FloridaFloridaSoutheastern ConferencePublicGood4338
84.77
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
84.76
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
84.66
Stony Brook UniversityNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicGood62109
84.06
Michigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten ConferencePublicAverage11174
83.99
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
83.88
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
83.34
Texas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage7122
83.30
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
82.99
University of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage103141
82.95
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
82.41
University of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateAboveAverage278138
80.00
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

Colorado State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Colorado State University

Colorado State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Colorado State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
96.11
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
95.84
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
95.71
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
95.44
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
94.27
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
94.23
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
93.42
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
93.18
Michigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAboveAverage14658
92.97
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
92.71
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
92.34
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
91.18
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAboveAverage135182
88.18
Baylor UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePrivateGood134128
88.18
Miami University-OxfordOhioMid American ConferencePublicGood11867
88.01
Big East Conference (Average)-Big East Conference-Conf-Good-144
87.93
West Coast Conference (Average)-West Coast Conference-Conf-Good-155
87.61
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkSkyline ConferencePrivateGood141208
85.44
Bucknell UniversityPennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent13193
84.98
United States Military AcademyNew YorkDivision I-A Independents / Pa...PublicGood14578
84.90
Union CollegeKentuckyMid - South Conference / Appal...PrivateBelowAverage162178
84.86
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIndianaHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...PrivateExcellent15960
84.43
University of TulsaOklahomaAmerican Athletic ConferencePrivateGood13975
84.04
United States Naval AcademyMarylandDivision I Independents / Patr...PublicExcellent12648
83.35
St Olaf CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateExcellent144127
81.47
Davidson CollegeNorth CarolinaPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateExcellent155129
79.92
Kenyon CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateExcellent14791
78.14
Grinnell CollegeIowaMidwest ConferencePrivateExcellent114123