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

Iowa State University

2016 University Academic Rankings

Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Iowa's flagship university, is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State is classified as a Research University with very high research activity (RU/VH) by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Iowa State is also a member of the prestigious American Association of Universities (AAU).

Founded in 1858 and coeducational from its start, Iowa State became the nation's first designated land-grant institution when the Iowa Legislature accepted the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act on September 11, 1862, making Iowa the first state in the nation to do so. Iowa State's academic offerings are administered today through eight colleges, including the graduate college, that offer over 100 bachelor's degree programs, 112 master's degree programs, and 83 at the Ph.D. level, plus a professional degree program in Veterinary Medicine.

Iowa State University's athletic teams, the Cyclones, compete in Division I of the NCAA and are a founding member of the Big 12 Conference. The Cyclones field 16 varsity teams and have won numerous NCAA national championships.

History | Beginnings

In 1856, the Iowa General Assembly enacted legislation to establish the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm. This institution (now Iowa State University) was officially established on March 22, 1858, by the General Assembly. Story County was chosen as the location on June 21, 1859, beating proposals from Johnson, Kossuth, Marshall and Polk counties. The original farm of 648 acres (2.62 km2) was purchased for a cost of $5,379.

Iowa was the first state in the nation to accept the provisions of the Morrill Act of 1862. Iowa subsequently designated Iowa State as the land-grant college on March 29, 1864. From the start, Iowa Agricultural College focused on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all and that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects. These ideals are integral to the land-grant university.

The institution was coeducational from the first preparatory class admitted in 1868. The formal admitting of students began the following year, and the first graduating class of 1872 consisted of 24 men and two women.

The Farm House, the first building on the Iowa State campus, was completed in 1861 before the campus was occupied by students or classrooms. It became the home of the superintendent of the Model Farm and in later years, the deans of Agriculture, including Seaman Knapp and "Tama Jim" Wilson. Iowa State's first president, Adonijah Welch, briefly stayed at the Farm House and penned his inaugural speech in a second floor bedroom.

The college's first farm tenants primed the land for agricultural experimentation. The Iowa Experiment Station was one of the university's prominent features. Practical courses of instruction were taught, including one designed to give a general training for the career of a farmer. Courses in mechanical, civil, electrical, and mining engineering were also part of the curriculum.

In 1870, President Welch and I. P. Robert, professor of agriculture, held three-day farmers' institutes at Cedar Falls, Council Bluffs, Washington, and Muscatine. These became the earliest institutes held off-campus by a land grant institution and were the forerunners of 20th century extension.

In 1872, the first courses were given in domestic economy (home economics, family and consumer sciences) and were taught by Mary B. Welch, the president's wife. Iowa State became the first land grant university in the nation to offer training in domestic economy for college credit.

In 1879, the "School" of Veterinary Science was organized, the first state veterinar ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Iowa State University Details

Iowa State University Details
detail value
stateIowa
conferenceBig Twelve Conference
publicPublic
scores1685/1123/25
levelAboveAverage
rank[129
overall ROI rank[71
sizelarge
undergrads28893
grads5542
price31920
drop31
stem29
research260
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Iowa State University?

1. number 129 for Academics.

2. number 71 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Iowa State University?

1. University of Colorado Boulder

2. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

3. University of California-Irvine

4. University of Utah

5. Colorado State University-Fort Collins

6. University of Kentucky

7. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Iowa State University National Academic Rankings

Iowa State University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top2501292132281009393734771
Div1698188665958542337
Div1 Nonivy617683585150482129
Div1 Public445163424039401418
Public587688504652462032
Power5444853433941391621
Stem Low809598615958523864
Big Twelve Conference258322232
Mid West Region235966161617162015
State of Iowa478222222
Top Ten Top2501292132281009393734771
Top Ten Big Twelve Conference258322232
Top Ten State of Iowa478222212


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Iowa State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Iowa State University

Iowa State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Iowa State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.46
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
99.23
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
98.98
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
98.85
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
98.78
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
98.46
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
98.18
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
97.94
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
97.80
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
93.04
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
92.26
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginiaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood7540
92.18
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
92.13
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
91.80
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
91.67
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
91.50
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
91.49
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
91.43
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
91.42
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
91.36
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
91.25
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
90.65
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
89.36
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
86.61
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
86.55
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
86.15
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
86.09
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
85.88
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
85.87
University of FloridaFloridaSoutheastern ConferencePublicGood4338
85.84
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
85.84
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
85.61
University of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage202106
85.58
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
85.51
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
85.21
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
85.20
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
85.16
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
85.13
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
85.03
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
84.97
Michigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten ConferencePublicAverage11174
84.87
The University of Texas at AustinTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicGood3851
84.64
Old Dominion UniversityVirginiaConference USAPublicAverage356368
84.55
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
84.09
Texas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage7122
83.82
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
83.68
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
83.66
University of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage103141
83.26
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
83.00
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
82.86
Saint Louis UniversityMissouriAtlantic 10 ConferencePrivateAboveAverage169165


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

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

Iowa State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Iowa State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
96.13
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
96.12
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
95.78
Big Twelve Conference (Average)-Big Twelve Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-106
95.56
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
95.26
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
94.83
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
94.47
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
93.97
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
93.93
America East (Average)-America East-Conf-AboveAverage-202
93.66
University of VermontVermontAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage136191
93.56
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
93.40
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
93.35
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
93.13
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
92.87
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
92.56
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
92.56
University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage12198
91.33
Michigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAboveAverage14658
90.36
Miami University-OxfordOhioMid American ConferencePublicGood11867
90.35
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAboveAverage135182
90.20
Big East Conference (Average)-Big East Conference-Conf-Good-144
90.12
West Coast Conference (Average)-West Coast Conference-Conf-Good-155
89.80
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkSkyline ConferencePrivateGood141208
88.96
Atlantic 10 Conference (Average)-Atlantic 10 Conference-Conf-Good-158
88.36
Baylor UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePrivateGood134128
87.20
Fordham UniversityNew YorkPatriot League / Atlantic 10 C...PrivateGood109167
87.17
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicGood9688
85.47
Patriot League (Low)-Patriot League-Conf-Good-84
85.18
Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinoisDivision III IndependentsPrivateGood12255
84.27
United States Naval AcademyMarylandDivision I Independents / Patr...PublicExcellent12648
83.67
Bucknell UniversityPennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent13193
83.65
University of TulsaOklahomaAmerican Athletic ConferencePrivateGood13975
83.64
University of RichmondVirginiaColonial Athletic Association ...PrivateExcellent128150
83.59
St Olaf CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateExcellent144127
83.04
United States Air Force AcademyColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicExcellent9130
80.42
Wheaton CollegeIllinoisCollege Conference of Illinois...PrivateExcellent149114
79.86
Colby CollegeMaineNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateExcellent132155
79.66
No Conference Affiliation (Average)-No Conference Affiliation-Conf-Excellent-180
78.60
Macalester CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateExcellent133146
78.57
Scripps CollegeCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...PrivateElite127204