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

New England Football Conference (Average)

2016 University Academic Rankings

The New England Football Conference (NEFC) is an athletic conference which competes in football in the NCAA's Division III. Member teams are located in New England. Before a conference split that took effect with the 2013 season, the NEFC was divided into the Boyd Division and the Bogan Division, with the division champions competing in Division III football's only season-ending conference championship game.

After the 2012 season, the conference split, with the seven Massachusetts state institutions and Plymouth State playing in the MASCAC for football. The conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs continues to be held by the eight remaining members: Curry, Endicott, Maine Maritime, MIT, Nichols, Salve Regina, Coast Guard, and Western New England. In the 12 seasons the NEFC hosted a championship game between its two division winners, these remaining eight members have accounted for 16 of the 24 championship game participants and 8 of 12 conference champions.

Membership evolution

1987 - UMass Lowell becomes conference member in 1987, initiating a split into two six-team divisions with divisional winners meeting in championship playoff game.

1997 - Five new members begin conference play in 1998: Curry, Nichols, MIT, Salve Regina and WNEC. The 14-team conference will have two 7-team divisions.

2000 - The first Championship game in the 14-team Conference is scheduled. Wal*Mart agrees to sponsor the game. The Divisions are renamed with the Red being the Bogan Division and the Blue becoming the Boyd Division named after the NEFC's first two commissioners. Bridgewater State defeats Salve Regina 27-24 for the championship. UMass Boston drops football.

2001 - The Bogan Division plays with only six teams while the Boyd continues with seven. Endicott College begins a football program and is admitted into the Boyd Division beginning with the 2003 season.

2004 - A Most Valuable Player Award is established for the NEFC Championship Game and is named the William Mottola Award in honor of the long-time conference commissioner.

2005 - Plymouth State University and the United States Coast Guard Academy are admitted as members for play beginning in the 2006 season. Plymouth will enter the Boyd Division and Coast Guard Academy will compete in the Bogan Division. The Conference decides that the Championship Game will be played at the campus of the Bogan Division winner in even numbered years and at field of the Boyd Division champion in odd numbered years.

2008 - The NEFC qualifies two teams for the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament for the first time. Conference champion Plymouth State University receives the automatic bid, and Curry College receives an at-large bid.

2010 - Maine Maritime Academy sets a new NCAA Division III season rushing record with 5189 yards in 11 games. The Mariners miss the all-Division mark set by the University of Oklahoma in 1971 by eight yards.

2011 - Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference institution presidents decide to form a MASCAC football league, which will consist of 9 schools, and the league champion will be awarded an automatic berth to the NCAA D-III Football National Tournament. Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Westfield State University, and Worcester State University are the 6 core schools deciding to join the new MASCAC conference. Also, Plymouth State University, UMass-Dartmouth, and Western Connecticut State will also be joining the MASCAC conference as flagship members; effectively in 2013.

2012 - The NEFC qualifies two teams for the NCAA Division III National Tournament for the second time in league history. Framingham State (10-1) won the NEFC Championship and received the automatic bid, while Bridgewater State ... [more on wikipedia]

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "New England Football Conference (Average)", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

New England Football Conference Details

New England Football Conference Details
detail value
state-
conferenceNew England Football Conference
public-Conf-
scores1689/1126/25
levelAboveAverage
rank[-
overall ROI rank[320
sizesmall
undergrads2641
grads1385
price39435
drop29
stem37
research93
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for New England Football Conference (Average)?

1. number - for Academics.

2. number 320 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to New England Football Conference (Average)?

1. Madonna University

2. Montana State University

3. University of Detroit Mercy

4. Grove City College

5. Gustavus Adolphus College

6. Ohio Northern University

7. LeTourneau University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

New England Football Conference National Academic Rankings

New England Football Conference National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Conferences424532828345186053


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

New England Football Conference Peer Universities, Similar Universities to New England Football Conference

New England Football Conference Peer Universities, Similar Universities to New England Football Conference
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
92.52
Madonna UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPrivateAboveAverage418377
87.99
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
86.37
University of Detroit MercyMichiganHorizon LeaguePrivateAboveAverage415313
86.33
Grove City CollegePennsylvaniaPresidents' Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage235202
86.20
Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage239210
86.17
Ohio Northern UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage332170
85.68
LeTourneau UniversityTexasAmerican Southwest ConferencePrivateAboveAverage328173
85.26
Eckerd CollegeFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAboveAverage495417
85.11
Allegheny CollegePennsylvaniaNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage322411
85.09
Webster UniversityMissouriSt.Louis Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage458421
85.07
University of TulsaOklahomaAmerican Athletic ConferencePrivateGood13975
85.01
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottArizonaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage402205
84.62
University of the PacificCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage251344
82.49
University of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage189264
81.89
University of MaineMaineAtlantic 10 Conference / Ameri...PublicAverage248245
81.51
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
81.25
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
81.06
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
80.74
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
80.72
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
80.69
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
80.66
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
80.61
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
80.58
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
80.37
Texas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage7122
79.13
University of Illinois at SpringfieldIllinoisGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePublicAverage403397
78.41
Manhattan CollegeNew YorkMetro Atlantic Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage460378
77.96
University of North Carolina at AshevilleNorth CarolinaBig South ConferencePublicAboveAverage242319
77.62
Virginia Military InstituteVirginiaBig South ConferencePublicAboveAverage444227
77.19
Mercer UniversityGeorgiaSouthern ConferencePrivateAboveAverage237242
77.17
Bradley UniversityIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage326177
75.43
Marquette UniversityWisconsinBig East ConferencePrivateAboveAverage197121
75.40
University of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateAboveAverage278138
75.18
Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisianaConference USAPublicAverage392213
75.10
University of Minnesota-DuluthMinnesotaNorthern Sun Intercollegiate C...PublicAverage464346
75.07
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
75.04
Tennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage374212
75.02
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
74.80
Rowan UniversityNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage306392
74.79
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage261196
74.69
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
74.58
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
74.43
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
74.39
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
74.38
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
74.35
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
74.27
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvaniaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood5075
74.25
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicGood9688
74.22
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
74.19
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

New England Football Conference Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to New England Football Conference

New England Football Conference Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to New England Football Conference
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.57
Great Lakes Valley Conference (Average)-Great Lakes Valley Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-227
96.59
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseWisconsinWisconsin Intercollegiate Ath ConfPublicAverage302258
95.79
Lipscomb UniversityTennesseeAtlantic Sun ConferencePrivateAboveAverage303255
95.52
West Coast Conference (Low)-West Coast Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-258
94.74
Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouriMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage301266
94.06
Big Twelve Conference (Low)-Big Twelve Conference-Conf-Average-178
93.63
Rowan UniversityNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage306392
93.60
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (Average)-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-197
92.89
DePauw UniversityIndianaNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage304173
92.79
Colonial Athletic Association (Low)-Colonial Athletic Association-Conf-AboveAverage-214
92.76
Willamette UniversityOregonNorthwest ConferencePrivateAboveAverage300402
91.52
Sun Belt Conference (Average)-Sun Belt Conference-Conf-Average-232
91.12
Horizon League (Average)-Horizon League-Conf-Average-299
90.63
Illinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinoisCollege Conference of Illinois...PrivateAboveAverage298225
88.73
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
86.41
Midwest Conference (Average)-Midwest Conference-Conf-Good-245
84.20
St Louis College of PharmacyMissouriAmerican Midwest ConferencePrivateExcellent298417