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

Middle Tennessee State University

2016 University Academic Rankings
Founded in 1911 as a normal school, the university is composed of eight undergraduate colleges as well as a college of graduate studies, together offering more than 80 majors/degree programs through over 35 departments. MTSU is most prominently known for its Recording Industry, Aerospace, Music, and Concrete Industry Management programs. The university has partnered in research endeavors with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the United States Army, and the United States Marine Corps. In 2009, Middle Tennessee State University was ranked among the nation's top 100 public universities by Forbes magazine.

MTSU student athletes compete intercollegiately as the Blue Raiders, as a part of Division I Football Bowl Subdivision athletics in the Conference USA. On November 29, 2012, MTSU Athletics announced they had accepted an invitation to the conference.

MTSU is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents and the State University and Community College System of Tennessee, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Its president is Sidney A. McPhee.

History

One of the earliest calls for a normal school occurred in 1855 when a Wilson County, Tennessee politician wanted to build a normal school in Lebanon, Tennessee. Education efforts collapsed shortly with the breakout of the American Civil War. Later on, state superintendents and teachers traveled around the state giving speeches about the dire need of teacher preparation. In 1909, the Tennessee General Assembly moved "to provide for the improvement of the system of Public Education of the State of Tennessee, that is to say, to establish a General Education Fund." The major thrust of this "improvement" embodied in the legislative act that was to become known as the General Education Bill of 1909 was the establishment of three normals or teacher-training institutions. Following the intent of the act that one was to be located in each of the grand divisions of the state, the State Board of Education assigned the middle Tennessee institution to Murfreesboro.

Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School, now known as the Homer Pittard Campus School, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Middle Tennessee State Normal School (MTSNS or MTNS) opened on September 11, 1911, with a two-year program for training teachers. It evolved into a four-year teachers' college by 1925 with the power of granting the Bachelor of Science degree, and the institution's name was changed for the first time to Middle Tennessee State Teachers College. The school was often abbreviated as "S.T.C." In 1943, the General Assembly designated the institution a state college, changing its name for the second time to Middle Tennessee State College. This new status marked a sharp departure from the founding purpose and opened the way for expanding curricular offerings and programs. In 1965, the institution was advanced to university status, changing its name to Middle Tennessee State University. In October 2010, the Student Government Association at MTSU proposed that the university be renamed to "The University of Middle Tennessee," though approval by the university administration and the Tennessee Board of Regents is required.

During the progressive movement from a two-year normal to a university, several significant milestones may be identified. In 1936, the Bachelor of Arts program was added. Responding to the expressed needs of the institution's service area, the Graduate School was established in 1951. To effect better communications and improve administrative supervision, the schools concept was introduced in 1962.

As Middle Tennessee State University developed and grew, the Doctor of Arts program was added in 1970 and the Specialist in Education in 1974. These degree programs became attractive ce ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Middle Tennessee State University Details

Middle Tennessee State University Details
detail value
stateTennessee
conferenceConference USA
publicPublic
scores1535/1023/23
levelAverage
rank[384
overall ROI rank[372
sizemedium-large
undergrads20262
grads2467
price37704
drop50
stem20
research6
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Middle Tennessee State University?

1. number 384 for Academics.

2. number 372 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Middle Tennessee State University?

1. Sam Houston State University

2. Boise State University

3. Towson University

4. University of California-Riverside

5. Illinois State University

6. Georgia Southern University

7. Kennesaw State University


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Middle Tennessee State University National Academic Rankings

Middle Tennessee State University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Div1 Public1009998878286908599
Conference Usa108109812121212
South East Region809797473943457079
State of Tennessee1122193346139
Top Ten Conference Usa101010981010910
Top Ten State of Tennessee71010334478


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Middle Tennessee State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Middle Tennessee State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.87
Sam Houston State UniversityTexasSouthland ConferencePublicAverage472383
93.03
Boise State UniversityIdahoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage389329
92.85
Towson UniversityMarylandColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAverage264365
92.85
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage167212
92.64
Illinois State UniversityIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage279222
92.59
Georgia Southern UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage254236
92.39
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291
92.24
Oakland UniversityMichiganHorizon LeaguePublicAverage417270
92.21
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
91.86
CUNY Queens CollegeNew YorkEast Coast ConferencePublicAverage307400
91.14
University of Rhode IslandRhode IslandColonial Athletic Association ...PublicAverage270328
90.69
University of Nebraska at OmahaNebraskaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage491364
86.62
Old Dominion UniversityVirginiaConference USAPublicAverage356368
86.49
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
86.45
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
86.20
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
86.07
East Carolina UniversityNorth CarolinaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage312325
86.03
Eastern Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicAverage445385
86.00
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
85.99
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
85.79
Kent State University at KentOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage347358
85.74
Western Kentucky UniversityKentuckyConference USAPublicBelowAverage491433
85.73
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
85.66
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
85.62
University of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage359314
85.57
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
85.44
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
85.36
University of California-Santa CruzCaliforniaDivision III IndependentsPublicAverage157208
85.33
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
85.29
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
85.29
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
85.25
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
85.21
San Francisco State UniversityCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicBelowAverage428458
85.12
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLouisianaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage350248
84.76
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
84.72
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
84.22
University of New HampshireNew HampshireColonial Athletic Association ...PublicAverage221225
83.99
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage261196
83.85
The University of MontanaMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage372232
83.80
University of North DakotaNorth DakotaBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage363266
83.17
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePublicAverage451347
83.07
University of MaineMaineAtlantic 10 Conference / Ameri...PublicAverage248245
82.31
Howard UniversityWashington DCMid Eastern Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage343429
80.93
Maryville University of Saint LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAverage424426
79.91
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
79.87
Central Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicBelowAverage454402
79.76
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
79.70
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
79.57
University of DelawareDelawareColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage107138
79.57
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

Middle Tennessee State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Middle Tennessee State University

Middle Tennessee State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Middle Tennessee State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.34
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
96.71
Northern Arizona UniversityArizonaBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage336333
95.54
Citadel Military College of South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouthern ConferencePublicAverage-1-1
93.97
Wichita State UniversityKansasMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage382307
93.24
Ball State UniversityIndianaMid American ConferencePublicAverage337326
92.94
New Jersey Athletic Conference (Average)-New Jersey Athletic Conference-Conf-Average-436
91.34
Tennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage374212
89.56
Seattle Pacific UniversityWashingtonGreat Northwest Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage383384
88.92
Catholic University of AmericaWashington DCOld Dominion Athletic Conferen...PrivateAboveAverage381458
88.47
Empire Eight (Average)-Empire Eight-Conf-AboveAverage-460
87.73
Wagner CollegeNew YorkNortheast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage385412
87.03
Messiah CollegePennsylvaniaMiddle Atlantic States Athleti...PrivateAboveAverage387436
86.83
University of RedlandsCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...PrivateAboveAverage380460
85.57
William Jewell CollegeMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage387344