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

Seattle University

2016 University Academic Rankings
This article contains content that is written like an advertisement. Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view. (March 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Seattle University (SU), commonly referred to as Seattle U, is a Jesuit Catholic university in the northwestern United States, located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington.

SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. In its "Best Colleges 2015" edition, U.S. News & World Report ranked Seattle University the 5th best school in the West, in a category for institutions that offer a full range of programs up to master's degree and some doctoral programs. Seattle University School of Law has the #1 legal writing program in the nation, a rank held for six consecutive years. In 2014, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked Seattle University #1 in the nation for macroeconomics.

Among all colleges nationally, Seattle University graduates, with a degree in either the Liberal Arts or Sciences, are the 10th highest paid in the country.

History

In 1891, Adrian Sweere, S.J., took over a small parish near downtown Seattle at Broadway and Madison. At first, the school was named after the surrounding Immaculate Conception parish and did not offer higher education. In 1898, the school was named Seattle College after both the city and Chief Seattle, and it granted its first bachelor's degrees 11 years later. Initially, the school served as both a high school and college. From 1919 to 1931, the college moved to Interlaken Blvd, but in 1931 it returned to First Hill permanently. In 1931, Seattle College created a "night school" for women in order to allow them to attend; becoming coeducational was a highly controversial decision at the time.

In 1948, Seattle College changed its name to Seattle University under Father Albert A. Lemieux, S.J. In 1993, the Seattle University School of Law was established through purchase of the Law School from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, and the School of Law moved to the Seattle campus in 1999.

In 2009, SU completed the largest capital campaign in the university's history, raising almost $169 million and surpassing the original campaign goal by almost $20 million. The campaign has resulted in new scholarships for students, academic programs and professorships, a fitness complex, an arts center and more. The centerpiece of the capital projects is the $56 million Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, completed in fall 2010.

Campus

The Seattle University campus is 50 acres (200,000 m2) and is located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, near downtown Seattle, Wash. The SU campus has been recognized by the city of Seattle, the EPA and many organizations for its commitment to sustainability through pesticide-free grounds, a food waste compost facility, recycling program and energy conservation program.

The most well-known building on campus is the Chapel of St. Ignatius, designed by New York architect Steven Holl. The building won a national Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects in 1998. The use of natural lighting and illuminating multi-colored lights at night transforms the chapel into a beacon of multicolored light radiating outward towards the campus.

The campus includes numerous works by well-known artists (including the Centennial Fountain by Seattle artist George Tsutakawa-recipient of an honorary doctorate from Seattle U.-and a large glas ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Seattle University Details

Seattle University Details
detail value
stateWashington
conferenceWestern Athletic Conference
publicPrivate
scores1735/1157/26
levelAboveAverage
rank[280
overall ROI rank[320
sizesmall
undergrads4437
grads2836
price54705
drop29
stem19
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Seattle University?

1. number 280 for Academics.

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

What universities are similar to Seattle University?

1. Mercer University

2. Gonzaga University

3. Creighton University

4. Adelphi University

5. Catholic University of America

6. Dallas Baptist University

7. University of St Thomas


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Seattle University National Academic Rankings

Seattle University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Western Athletic Conference222233343
West Coast Region363334445028262724
State of Washington5555733106
Top Ten Western Athletic Conference222233343
Top Ten State of Washington654573376


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Seattle University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Seattle University

Seattle University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Seattle University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
93.14
Mercer UniversityGeorgiaSouthern ConferencePrivateAboveAverage237242
92.78
Gonzaga UniversityWashingtonWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage235214
92.77
Creighton UniversityNebraskaBig East ConferencePrivateAboveAverage273190
92.50
Adelphi UniversityNew YorkNortheast 10 ConferencePrivateAboveAverage365444
92.03
Catholic University of AmericaWashington DCOld Dominion Athletic Conferen...PrivateAboveAverage381458
91.86
Dallas Baptist UniversityTexasHeartland ConferencePrivateAboveAverage408342
91.48
University of St ThomasMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage238156
91.45
Loyola Marymount UniversityCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage218233
86.26
University of Mary WashingtonVirginiaCapital Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage424386
86.01
University of ScrantonPennsylvaniaLandmark ConferencePrivateAboveAverage399368
85.85
Calvin CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...PrivateAboveAverage255209
85.80
Christopher Newport UniversityVirginiaUSA South Athletic Conference ...PublicAboveAverage268320
85.52
University of PortlandOregonWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage235245
85.20
Webster UniversityMissouriSt.Louis Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage458421
85.19
Hope CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...PrivateAboveAverage244227
85.15
University of San DiegoCaliforniaPioneer Football League / West...PrivateGood203195
85.05
Drake UniversityIowaPioneer Football League / Miss...PrivateAboveAverage263136
85.01
Truman State UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePublicAboveAverage208189
84.96
Cedarville UniversityOhioPrivateAboveAverage287278
84.90
Seattle Pacific UniversityWashingtonGreat Northwest Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage383384
84.71
Siena CollegeNew YorkMetro Atlantic Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage462479
84.58
Bethel UniversityMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage423428
84.32
University of San FranciscoCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage226241
83.52
Marquette UniversityWisconsinBig East ConferencePrivateAboveAverage197121
83.47
University of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateAboveAverage278138
82.44
Simmons CollegeMassachusettsGreat Northeast Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage376452
82.39
University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPuerto RicoIndependent Southeast RegionPublicAboveAverage176232
81.99
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAboveAverage135182
81.56
University of DelawareDelawareColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage107138
81.44
University of OregonOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage174221
81.22
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
79.72
Monmouth UniversityNew JerseyBig South Conference / Metro A...PrivateAverage478477
78.87
University of Puerto Rico-CayeyPuerto RicoNo Conference AffiliationPublicAverage484500
78.83
SUNY College of Technology at AlfredNew YorkDivision III IndependentsPublicAverage457467
78.51
Ramapo College of New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAverage369437
78.38
Baldwin Wallace UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage494447
78.22
Valparaiso UniversityIndianaPioneer Football League / Hori...PrivateAverage407281
78.01
John Carroll UniversityOhioOhio Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage449276
77.79
State University of New York at New PaltzNew YorkState University of New York A...PublicAboveAverage341457
77.67
Lipscomb UniversityTennesseeAtlantic Sun ConferencePrivateAboveAverage303255
77.57
Maryville University of Saint LouisMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAverage424426
77.55
California Lutheran UniversityCaliforniaSouthern California Intercoll ...PrivateAboveAverage481488
77.55
Howard UniversityWashington DCMid Eastern Athletic ConferencePrivateAverage343429
77.52
Messiah CollegePennsylvaniaMiddle Atlantic States Athleti...PrivateAboveAverage387436
77.45
SUNY College at OswegoNew YorkState University of New York A...PublicAboveAverage361450
77.35
Rollins CollegeFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAboveAverage262338
77.33
Rutgers University-NewarkNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAverage371392
77.03
Salisbury UniversityMarylandEmpire Eight / Capital Athleti...PublicAboveAverage243358
76.91
Concordia College at MoorheadMinnesotaMinnesota Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage430444
76.75
Rockhurst UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePrivateAboveAverage404250


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

Seattle University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Seattle University

Seattle University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Seattle University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.71
South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth DakotaGreat Northwest Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage281111
95.71
SUNY College of Environmental Science and ForestryNew YorkNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage229244
94.12
University of DallasTexasSouthern Collegiate Athletic C...PrivateAboveAverage282175
94.11
University of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...PrivateAboveAverage278138
92.41
No Conference Affiliation (Low)-No Conference Affiliation-Conf-Good-338
90.70
The College of WoosterOhioNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateGood277317
90.56
Illinois State UniversityIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage279222
90.39
University of Colorado DenverColoradoNo Conference AffiliationPublicAverage283217
90.23
Big Twelve Conference (Low)-Big Twelve Conference-Conf-Average-178
88.76
Rhode Island School of DesignRhode IslandNo Conference AffiliationPrivateGood276361