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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

2016 University Academic Rankings

North Carolina State University, is a public, coeducational, research university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States. The university is part of the University of North Carolina system and is a Morrill Land-Grant University, the only NC member of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, and a member of the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The university forms one of the corners of the Research Triangle together with Duke University in Durham and The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The North Carolina General Assembly founded the North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now NC State, on March 7, 1887, as a land-grant college. Today, NC State has an enrollment of more than 34,000 students, making it the largest university in the Carolinas. NC State has historical strengths in engineering, statistics, agriculture, life sciences, textiles and design and now offers 106 bachelor's degrees. The graduate school offers 104 master's degrees, 61 doctoral degrees, and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.

History

The North Carolina General Assembly founded NC State on March 7, 1887 as a land-grant college under the name "North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts." In the segregated system, it was open only to white students. As a land-grant college, NC State would provide a liberal and practical education while focusing on military tactics, agriculture and the mechanical arts without excluding classical studies. Since its founding, the university has maintained these objectives while building on them. After opening in 1889, NC State saw its enrollment fluctuate and its mandate expand. In 1918, it changed its name to "North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering"-or "North Carolina State" for short. During the Great Depression, the North Carolina state government, under Governor O. Max Gardner, administratively combined the University of North Carolina, the Woman's College (at Greensboro), and NC State. This conglomeration became the University of North Carolina in 1931. Following World War II, the university grew and developed. The G.I. Bill enabled thousands of veterans to attend college, and enrollment shot past the 5,000 mark in 1947.

State College created new academic programs, including the School of Architecture and Landscape Design in 1947 (renamed as the School of Design in 1948), the School of Education in 1948, and the School of Forestry in 1950. In the summer of 1956, following the US Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) that segregated public education was unconstitutional, North Carolina State College enrolled its first African-American undergraduates, Ed Carson, Manuel Crockett, Irwin Holmes, and Walter Holmes.

In 1962, State College officials desired to change the institution's name to North Carolina State University. Consolidated university administrators approved a change to the University of North Carolina at Raleigh, frustrating many student and alumni who protested the change with letter writing campaigns. In 1963, State College officially became North Carolina State of the University of North Carolina. Students, faculty, and alumni continued to express dissatisfaction with this name, however, and after two additional years of protest, the name was changed to the current North Carolina State University at Raleigh. The "at Raleigh" part is usually omitted even on official documents such as diplomas, but is part of the school's official name.

In 1966, single-year enrollment reached 10,000. In the 1970s enrollment surpassed 19,000 and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences was added.

Celebrating its centennial in 1987, NC State reorganized its internal structure, renaming all its schools to colleges (e.g. School of ... [more on wikipedia]

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Details

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Details
detail value
stateNorth Carolina
conferenceAtlantic Coast Conference
publicPublic
scores1795/1197/27
levelAboveAverage
rank[58
overall ROI rank[31
sizemedium-large
undergrads24473
grads9516
price38209
drop26
stem58
research381
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

1. number 58 for Academics.

2. number 31 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to North Carolina State University at Raleigh?

1. University of South Florida

2. University of Illinois at Chicago

3. University of California-Davis

4. Purdue University

5. Wayne State University

6. University of Houston

7. Drexel University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

North Carolina State University at Raleigh National Academic Rankings

North Carolina State University at Raleigh National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top25058159115747440494531
All679081717237452742
All Nonivy598877646530402635
Div1385641494825392220
Div1 Nonivy304834414017302016
Div1 Public21251629301223138
Public214331353418251911
Power5273023333415301515
Stem High924281010982212
Stem Low467472515129383632
Atlantic Coast Conference911911114954
South East Region92313131259116
State of North Carolina465333432
Top Ten Top25058159115747440494531
Top Ten Atlantic Coast Conference910810104746
Top Ten South East Region91010995856
Top Ten State of North Carolina465333422


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Peer Universities, Similar Universities to North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Peer Universities, Similar Universities to North Carolina State University at Raleigh
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.58
University of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage94113
97.89
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
92.59
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
92.06
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
91.66
Wayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...PublicAverage414286
91.61
University of HoustonTexasAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage8960
91.27
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
85.46
The University of Texas at ArlingtonTexasSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage240157
84.49
Stony Brook UniversityNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicGood62109
83.68
University of Colorado DenverColoradoNo Conference AffiliationPublicAverage283217
83.10
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
80.88
Clarkson UniversityNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage211187
80.47
SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryNew YorkNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage229244
79.95
The University of Texas at San AntonioTexasConference USAPublicAverage330180
79.85
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
79.78
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
79.76
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
79.43
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage288356
79.39
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
79.39
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
79.36
Portland State UniversityOregonBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage308408
79.24
University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage12198
79.23
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
78.75
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
78.60
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
78.58
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicGood9688
78.29
Florida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage76104
78.06
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
77.18
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
77.11
University of Missouri-St LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePublicAboveAverage242211
77.00
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
76.87
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
76.18
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
75.29
University of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPublicAboveAverage312185
74.40
Drury UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage295378
74.32
Florida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...PrivateAboveAverage260130
74.11
Ohio Northern UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage332170
74.09
University of Detroit MercyMichiganHorizon LeaguePrivateAboveAverage415313
74.01
South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth DakotaGreat Northwest Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage281111
73.95
LeTourneau UniversityTexasAmerican Southwest ConferencePrivateAboveAverage328173
73.29
University of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage202106
73.28
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
73.23
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSouth CarolinaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage93130
73.05
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
72.76
University of IowaIowaBig Ten ConferencePublicGood6879
72.75
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
72.74
University of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern ConferencePublicGood8265
72.70
University of Maryland-College ParkMarylandBig Ten ConferencePublicExcellent3460
72.61
University of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage171119
72.43
Temple UniversityPennsylvaniaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage168199


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina State University at Raleigh Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to North Carolina State University at Raleigh
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
96.44
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
96.27
University of California-Santa BarbaraCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicGood63122
96.23
Southeastern Conference (Average)-Southeastern Conference-Conf-Good-53
96.00
Florida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage76104
95.45
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
95.44
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
94.87
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
94.58
University of Washington-Seattle CampusWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicGood5566
94.27
University of IowaIowaBig Ten ConferencePublicGood6879
94.13
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
93.89
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginiaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood7540
93.24
Texas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage7122
91.47
Stony Brook UniversityNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicGood62109
91.23
University of California-San DiegoCaliforniaDivision II IndependentsPublicExcellent2670
90.53
Brigham Young University-ProvoUtahOther / West Coast ConferencePrivateGood7227
88.93
SUNY at BinghamtonNew YorkAmerica EastPublicExcellent65125
88.54
Polytechnic Institute of New York UniversityNew YorkNo Reported AffiliationPrivateGood7672
88.39
University of MiamiFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePrivateExcellent4493
88.13
Lehigh UniversityPennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent6932
87.49
Worcester Polytechnic InstituteMassachusettsUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateExcellent7340
86.30
George Washington UniversityWashington DCAtlantic 10 ConferencePrivateExcellent51135
85.97
Tulane University of LouisianaLouisianaAmerican Athletic ConferencePrivateExcellent61106
85.72
Wake Forest UniversityNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePrivateExcellent6650
84.54
Case Western Reserve UniversityOhioPresidents' Athletic Conferenc...PrivateExcellent2814
84.30
University Athletic Association (Low)-University Athletic Association-Conf-Excellent-32
83.46
College of William and MaryVirginiaColonial Athletic AssociationPublicExcellent5460
83.15
Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateExcellent2734
83.05
Boston CollegeMassachusettsAtlantic Coast ConferencePrivateExcellent4775
82.32
Williams CollegeMassachusettsNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateElite58161
82.00
Wellesley CollegeMassachusettsNew England Women's & Men's At...PrivateElite78158
81.41
New England Small College Ath Conf (Average)-New England Small College Ath Conf-Conf-Elite-144
81.33
Wesleyan UniversityConnecticutNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateElite73137
80.91
Franklin W Olin College of EngineeringMassachusettsNo Conference AffiliationPrivateElite4853
80.67
Carleton CollegeMinnesotaMidwest ConferencePrivateElite8443
80.65
Swarthmore CollegePennsylvaniaCentennial ConferencePrivateElite6748
79.49
Carnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvaniaUniversity Athletic AssociationPrivateElite219
79.23
Harvey Mudd CollegeCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...PrivateElite4919
79.11
Amherst CollegeMassachusettsNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateElite86158