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

Oregon State University

2016 University Academic Rankings

Oregon State University (OSU) is a coeducational, public research university in the northwest United States, located in Corvallis, Oregon. The university offers more than 200 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs and has the largest total enrollment in Oregon. More than 230,000 people have graduated from OSU since its founding. The Carnegie Foundation classifies Oregon State University as a doctoral university with the "highest research activity" and designates it a 'Community Engagement' university.

OSU is one of 73 land-grant universities in the United States. The school is also a sea-grant, space-grant, and sun-grant institution, making it one of only two U.S. institutions to obtain all four designations and the only public university to do so (Cornell is the only other with similar designations). OSU received $308.9 million in research grants and contracts for the 2015 fiscal year, which is more research funding than all other public universities in Oregon combined.

History | Early years

The university's roots date back to 1856, when it was established as the area's first community school for primary and preparatory education. Throughout the university's history, the name changed eleven times. Like other early established land-grant colleges and universities, the majority of name changes occurred through the 1920s. Generally, name changes were made to better align a school with the largest available federal grants in agriculture research.

Corvallis area Freemasons played an important role in developing the early school and several large campus buildings are named after these founding fathers. The school offered its first college-level curriculum in 1865, under the administration of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

On August 22, 1868, official articles of incorporation were filed for Corvallis College. October 27, 1868, is known as OSU Charter Day. The Oregon Legislative Assembly designated Corvallis College as the "agricultural college of the state of Oregon" and the recipient of the Land Grant. Acceptance of this grant required the college to comply with the requirements set forth in the First Morrill Act and the name of the school was changed to Corvallis State Agricultural College. The school was then authorized to grant the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees. The first graduating class was in 1870, granting Bachelor of Arts degrees.

Oregon State

The Oregon Unification Bill was passed in 1929 by the Legislative Assembly, which placed the school under the oversight of the newly formed Oregon State Board of Higher Education. A doctoral in education was first offered in the early 1930s, with the conferral of four Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 1935. This year also saw the creation of the first summer session. The growing diversity in degree programs led to another name change in 1937, when the college became Oregon State College.

The university's current title, Oregon State University, was adopted on March 6, 1961, by a legislative act signed into law by Governor Mark Hatfield.

In 2007, Scott Reed was named the Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement as OSU Extension Service and OSU Ecampus were aligned under this new division. Ecampus delivers OSU degree programs and courses online and at a distance to students worldwide.

Academics

For the Fall 2013 academic year, the university received over 14,000 freshman applications. U.S. News & World Report considers OSU to be "selective."

Research

Research has played a central role in the university's overall operations for much of its history. Most of OSU's research continues at the Corvallis campus, but an ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Oregon State University Details

Oregon State University Details
detail value
stateOregon
conferencePacific 12 Conference
publicPublic
scores1640/1093/25
levelAverage
rank[152
overall ROI rank[202
sizemedium-large
undergrads23903
grads4983
price41765
drop36
stem36
research229
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Oregon State University?

1. number 152 for Academics.

2. number 202 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Oregon State University?

1. Oklahoma State University

2. Kansas State University

3. University of Louisville

4. Washington State University

5. The University of Texas at San Antonio

6. University of California-Irvine

7. Florida Atlantic University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Oregon State University National Academic Rankings

Oregon State University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top2501522321901451339275212202
Div1799369858157569495
Div1 Nonivy729163807649499393
Div1 Public516737616038419376
Public709163766951478687
Power5495738555440406564
Stem Low9510087797257539699
Pacific - 12 Conference10116101011111515
West Coast Region184731161615144123
State of Oregon285112132
Top Ten Top2501522321901451339275212202
Top Ten Pacific - 12 Conference1010610109101010
Top Ten State of Oregon285112122


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Oregon State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Oregon State University

Oregon State University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Oregon State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.18
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
99.00
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
97.78
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
93.32
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
93.23
The University of Texas at San AntonioTexasConference USAPublicAverage330180
93.17
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
92.92
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
92.90
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
92.86
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
92.74
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
92.67
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
92.64
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
92.53
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
92.23
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
92.18
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
92.16
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
91.70
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
91.50
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
91.48
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
91.28
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
91.15
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
90.61
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
86.67
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
86.60
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
86.58
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
86.32
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWisconsinHorizon LeaguePublicBelowAverage420367
86.28
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
85.78
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
85.75
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
85.55
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
85.39
Boise State UniversityIdahoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage389329
85.33
The University of Texas at ArlingtonTexasSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage240157
85.27
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
85.13
University of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage94113
84.70
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
84.66
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
84.61
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
84.49
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
84.47
California State University-NorthridgeCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicBelowAverage459474
84.30
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
83.75
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage368278
83.38
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage261196
83.30
Cleveland State UniversityOhioHorizon LeaguePublicAverage440299
83.26
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
83.05
South Dakota State UniversitySouth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage354263
82.60
University of MaineMaineAtlantic 10 Conference / Ameri...PublicAverage248245
82.59
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
82.07
Rutgers University-NewarkNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAverage371392
79.29
California State University-SacramentoCaliforniaBig Sky ConferencePublicBelowAverage453472
78.86
The University of Texas at El PasoTexasConference USAPublicBelowAverage499294


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

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

Oregon State University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Oregon State University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.69
University of California-Santa CruzCaliforniaDivision III IndependentsPublicAverage157208
97.50
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
96.91
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
96.08
Florida International UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage163170
95.39
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
95.39
University of OregonOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage174221
95.33
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
95.17
Pacific - 12 Conference (Low)-Pacific 12 Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-115
95.17
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
94.50
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
94.40
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
93.91
Big West Conference (Average)-Big West Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-202
93.34
America East (Average)-America East-Conf-AboveAverage-202
92.80
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
92.76
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
92.47
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
91.98
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
91.80
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAlabamaGulf South ConferencePublicAboveAverage181103
91.35
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
91.35
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
90.80
Southeastern Conference (Low)-Southeastern Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-115
87.68
West Coast Conference (Average)-West Coast Conference-Conf-Good-155
87.62
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
87.37
Yeshiva UniversityNew YorkSkyline ConferencePrivateGood141208
87.36
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
85.11
Patriot League (Low)-Patriot League-Conf-Good-84
84.92
Baylor UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePrivateGood134128
84.76
Big East Conference (Average)-Big East Conference-Conf-Good-144
84.35
New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyNew MexicoNo Conference AffiliationPublicGood18093
83.86
The College of New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicGood164193
82.84
United States Military AcademyNew YorkDivision I-A Independents / Pa...PublicGood14578
82.55
Lafayette CollegePennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent165106
82.28
United States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticutNew England Football Conferenc...PublicGood18597
80.94
Division I Independents (Average)-Division I Independents-Conf-Excellent-59
80.88
Whitman CollegeWashingtonNorthwest ConferencePrivateExcellent153154
79.39
Bucknell UniversityPennsylvaniaPatriot LeaguePrivateExcellent13193
79.31
St Olaf CollegeMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateExcellent144127
79.16
Wheaton CollegeIllinoisCollege Conference of Illinois...PrivateExcellent149114
78.59
Colorado CollegeColoradoSouthern Collegiate Athletic C...PrivateExcellent149160
78.49
Davidson CollegeNorth CarolinaPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateExcellent155129
76.46
No Conference Affiliation (Average)-No Conference Affiliation-Conf-Excellent-180