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 Dakota State University

2016 University Academic Rankings

North Dakota State University of Agriculture and Applied Sciences, more commonly known as North Dakota State University (NDSU), is a public research university in Fargo, in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of fall 2015, NDSU has 14,516 students and sits on a 258-acre (1 km²) campus. The institution was founded as North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 as the research land-grant institution for the state of North Dakota. The university operates several agricultural research extension centers spread over 18,488 acres (75 km²). NDSU is part of the North Dakota University System.

NDSU offers 102 undergraduate majors, 170 undergraduate degree programs, 6 undergraduate certificate programs, 79 undergraduate minors, 81 master's degree programs, 47 doctoral degree programs of study and 10 graduate certificate programs.

NDSU is a comprehensive doctoral research university with programs involved in very high research activity. NDSU uses a semester system - Fall and Spring with two summer sessions. The majority of students are full-time with 55% male and 45% female.

History | Founding

The bill founding North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) was signed on March 8, 1890, seven years after initial plans to start an agricultural college in the northern portion of the Dakota Territory. NDAC was established as a land-grant university.

On October 15, 1890, Horace E. Stockbridge became the first NDAC president and the Board of Trustees was formed. Classes were initially held in six classrooms rented from Fargo College. A provisional course was held on January 6, 1891, and the first regular class of students was admitted on September 8, 1891. College Hall (Old Main), completed in 1892, was the first building and consisted of offices, classrooms, and a library to serve the four NDAC students.

20th century

In 1908, the school's alma mater "The Yellow and The Green" was written and a year later the school's official colors, Yellow and Green, were selected.

NDAC continued to grow and was renamed North Dakota State University on November 8, 1960 after a statewide referendum. The name change was to reflect the increasing field of study breadth of the institution.

A 36-acre (15 ha) area including 12 historic buildings was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as North Dakota State University District in 1986.

21st century

NDSU surpassed 10,000 students in the fall of 2000 for the first time, and by Fall Semester of 2009, NDSU increased enrollment by another 10% to 14,189 students.

Research, athletic programs, and campus facilities benefited from increases in student enrollment. Between 2000 and 2007, NDSU added a number of undergraduate programs and 31 graduate programs. Several buildings have been built or expanded and remodeled over the past seven years, including the Wallman Wellness Center, Memorial Union, and the College of Business.

Campuses

North Dakota State University is primarily located in Fargo, North Dakota. NDSU consists of several campuses including: the main campus, NDSU Downtown, and several agricultural research extension centers.

Main campus

The main campus sits on 258 acres (1 km²) of land and consists of over 100 major buildings. The appearance of the main campus is maintained by the university's extensive agricultural programs. The main campus boundaries are 19th Avenue N. to the north, University Drive to the east, 18th St. N. to the west, and 12th Avenue N. to the south.

Located in the historic Minard - South Engineering quad is the Babbling Brook. The Babbling Brook is a large water feature that offers students a serene location to relax and study. Enhancing the area are trickling waterfalls, various fish and flowers, an amphit ... [more on wikipedia]

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

North Dakota State University Details

North Dakota State University Details
detail value
stateNorth Dakota
conferenceMissouri Valley Conference / T...
publicPublic
scores1643/1095/25
levelAverage
rank[261
overall ROI rank[196
sizemedium
undergrads12124
grads2623
price30953
drop43
stem30
research132
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for North Dakota State University?

1. number 261 for Academics.

2. number 196 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to North Dakota State University?

1. University of Maine

2. University of Idaho

3. University of Nebraska at Omaha

4. University of Southern Mississippi

5. Wichita State University

6. University of North Dakota

7. New Mexico State University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

North Dakota State University National Academic Rankings

North Dakota State University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Div1 Public786539889188475371
Missouri Valley Conference262555131
Mountain West Region7115871031610
State of North Dakota111112121
Top Ten Missouri Valley Conference252554131
Top Ten Mountain West Region8957663910
Top Ten State of North Dakota111112121


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

North Dakota State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to North Dakota State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.47
University of MaineMaineAtlantic 10 Conference / Ameri...PublicAverage248245
98.44
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
93.28
University of Nebraska at OmahaNebraskaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage491364
93.27
University of Southern MississippiMississippiConference USAPublicAverage493423
93.25
Wichita State UniversityKansasMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage382307
93.01
University of North DakotaNorth DakotaBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage363266
92.99
New Mexico State UniversityNew MexicoSun Belt Conference / Western ...PublicBelowAverage486360
92.95
Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleIllinoisOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage438368
92.68
South Dakota State UniversitySouth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage354263
92.39
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage296394
92.39
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
91.96
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColoradoRocky Mountain Athletic ConferencePublicAverage451347
91.86
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLouisianaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage350248
91.73
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
91.55
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
91.47
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
91.44
Oakland UniversityMichiganHorizon LeaguePublicAverage417270
91.12
Illinois State UniversityIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage279222
90.97
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage167212
86.61
Rowan UniversityNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage306392
86.50
Cleveland State UniversityOhioHorizon LeaguePublicAverage440299
86.42
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
85.72
University of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAboveAverage219214
85.67
Tennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage374212
85.58
University of Northern IowaIowaMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAboveAverage252248
85.57
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
85.49
University of Minnesota-DuluthMinnesotaNorthern Sun Intercollegiate C...PublicAverage464346
85.40
University of Wisconsin-La CrosseWisconsinWisconsin Intercollegiate Ath ConfPublicAverage302258
85.24
Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisianaConference USAPublicAverage392213
85.24
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
85.03
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
85.02
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
84.97
University of California-Santa CruzCaliforniaDivision III IndependentsPublicAverage157208
84.73
University of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage359314
84.69
University of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateAboveAverage278138
84.68
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
84.62
Marquette UniversityWisconsinBig East ConferencePrivateAboveAverage197121
84.18
Boise State UniversityIdahoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage389329
84.07
Rutgers University-NewarkNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAverage371392
83.99
Middle Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeConference USAPublicAverage384372
83.98
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
83.86
Howard UniversityWashington DCMid Eastern Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage343429
83.43
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291
83.39
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
83.38
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
82.45
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
82.08
Michigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten ConferencePublicAverage11174
79.87
Saint Louis UniversityMissouriAtlantic 10 ConferencePrivateAboveAverage169165
79.63
University of New HampshireNew HampshireColonial Athletic Association ...PublicAverage221225
79.56
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

North Dakota State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to North Dakota State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.24
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
96.02
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
95.62
Florida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...PrivateAboveAverage260130
95.61
Towson UniversityMarylandColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAverage264365
95.05
University of Northern IowaIowaMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAboveAverage252248
94.98
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
93.98
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
93.90
Missouri Valley Conference (Average)-Missouri Valley Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-202
92.90
Appalachian State UniversityNorth CarolinaSun Belt ConferencePublicAboveAverage230228
92.90
Virginia Military InstituteVirginiaBig South ConferencePublicAboveAverage444227
92.71
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
92.37
The University of Texas at ArlingtonTexasSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage240157
92.05
Portland State UniversityOregonBig Sky ConferencePublicAverage308408
90.76
Rollins CollegeFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAboveAverage262338
90.28
Drake UniversityIowaPioneer Football League / Miss...PrivateAboveAverage263136
87.35
North Coast Athletic Conference (Average)-North Coast Athletic Conference-Conf-Good-221
86.19
Earlham CollegeIndianaHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...PrivateGood235249
83.89
Sewanee-The University of the SouthTennesseeSouthern Athletic AssociationPrivateGood244250