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

University of Cincinnati

2016 University Academic Rankings

The University of Cincinnati (commonly referred to as Cincinnati or UC) is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, in the U.S. state of Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio.

Founded in 1819 as Cincinnati College, it is the oldest institution of higher education in Cincinnati and has an annual enrollment of over 40,000 students, making it the second largest university in Ohio and one of the 50 largest universities in the United States. In the 2010 survey by Times Higher Education (UK), the university was ranked in the top 100 universities in North America and as one of the top 200 in the world. Beginning with the 2011 edition of the U.S. News and World Report "Best Colleges" rankings, the University of Cincinnati has been ranked as a Tier One university, ranking as the 129th best overall university and 63rd best public university in the 2015 rankings. This includes being the number 3 ranked university in the nation in the "Up-and-Coming" National Universities section of the 2014 edition. In 2011-2012 academic year the Leiden University ranking put the University of Cincinnati at the 93rd place globally and at the 63rd place in North America by the proportion of top-cited publications. In 2014, U.S. News and World Report ranked UC in the top 200 of universities worldwide.

The university garners nearly $500 million per annum in research funding, ranking 22nd among public universities in the United States. Numerous programs across the university are nationally ranked, including: aerospace engineering, anthropology, architecture, classics, composition, conducting, cooperative education, criminal justice, design, environmental science, law, medicine, music, musical theater, neurology, opera, otolaryngology, paleontology, pediatrics, and pharmacy.

The school offers over 100 bachelor's degrees, over 300 degree-granting programs, and over 600 total programs of study, ranging from certificates to doctoral and first professional education. With an economic impact of over $3.5 billion per year, it is the largest single employer in Greater Cincinnati. After extensive renovations through the implementation of the 1989 Master Plan, the university has been recognized by campus planners and architects as one of the most distinguished campus settings in the world.

History | Early history

In 1819, Cincinnati College and the Medical College of Ohio were founded in Cincinnati. Local benefactor Dr. Daniel Drake founded and funded the Medical College of Ohio. William Lytle of the Lytle family donated the land, funded the Cincinnati College and Law College, and served as its first president. The college survived only six years before financial difficulties forced it to close. In 1835, Daniel Drake reestablished the institution, which eventually joined with the Cincinnati Law School.

In 1858, Charles McMicken died of pneumonia and in his will he allocated $1 million to the City of Cincinnati to found a university. The University of Cincinnati was chartered by the Ohio legislature in 1870 after delays by livestock and veal lobbyists angered by the liberal arts-centered curriculum and lack of agricultural and manufacturing emphasis. The university's board of rectors changed the institution's name to the University of Cincinnati.

Relocation

By 1893, the University expanded beyond its primary location on Clifton Avenue and relocated to its present location in the Heights neighborhood. As the university expanded, the rectors merged the institution with Cincinnati Law School, establishing the University of Cincinnati College of Law. In 1896, the Ohio Medical College joined Miami Medical College to form the Ohio-Miami Medical Department of the University of Cincinnati in 1909. As political movements for temper ... [more on wikipedia]

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

University of Cincinnati Details

University of Cincinnati Details
detail value
stateOhio
conferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
publicPublic
scores1675/1117/25
levelAboveAverage
rank[202
overall ROI rank[106
sizemedium-large
undergrads24300
grads11013
price43008
drop38
stem23
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for University of Cincinnati?

1. number 202 for Academics.

2. number 106 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to University of Cincinnati?

1. University of Utah

2. University of South Carolina-Columbia

3. Colorado State University-Fort Collins

4. George Mason University

5. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

6. University of Missouri-Columbia

7. Temple University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

University of Cincinnati National Academic Rankings

University of Cincinnati National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top25020221623312311615315918106
Div1 Nonivy94788770659090850
Div1 Public67537353529191528
American Athletic Conference87776101015
Mid West Region36637518194242715
State of Ohio7121755111023
Top Ten Top25020221623312311615315918106
Top Ten American Athletic Conference87776101015
Top Ten State of Ohio8810556625


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

University of Cincinnati Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of Cincinnati
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
93.23
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
93.18
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSouth CarolinaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage93130
93.14
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
92.80
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
92.61
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
92.53
University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage12198
92.39
Temple UniversityPennsylvaniaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage168199
91.97
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
91.58
Florida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage76104
91.36
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
86.66
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
86.49
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
86.34
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
86.18
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
86.13
University of IowaIowaBig Ten ConferencePublicGood6879
86.10
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
86.10
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
86.10
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
86.03
University of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern ConferencePublicGood8265
85.99
University of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage171119
85.76
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
85.66
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
85.61
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
85.48
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
85.44
University of North TexasTexasConference USAPublicAboveAverage192165
85.20
University of DelawareDelawareColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage107138
85.15
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvaniaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood5075
85.05
University of ConnecticutConnecticutBig East ConferencePublicGood87139
84.91
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
84.74
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
84.54
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
84.43
DePaul UniversityIllinoisBig East ConferencePrivateAboveAverage193150
84.05
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
83.44
Texas A & M University-College StationTexasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage7122
83.08
University of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage103141
80.95
Webster UniversityMissouriSt.Louis Intercollegiate Ath ConfPrivateAboveAverage458421
79.88
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
79.81
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291
79.80
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
79.73
Kent State University at KentOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage347358
79.73
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
79.69
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
79.52
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
79.44
East Carolina UniversityNorth CarolinaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage312325
79.43
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
79.31
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
79.08
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
79.04
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
78.99
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
78.91
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

University of Cincinnati Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Cincinnati

University of Cincinnati Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of Cincinnati
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.00
American Athletic Conference (Low)-American Athletic Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-162
97.48
University of North TexasTexasConference USAPublicAboveAverage192165
97.40
The University of AlabamaAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage175112
96.70
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
95.79
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
95.10
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
94.54
Clarkson UniversityNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage211187
94.17
Mercer UniversityGeorgiaSouthern ConferencePrivateAboveAverage237242
92.92
University of MississippiMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAverage232197
92.64
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
92.63
Texas Christian UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePrivateAboveAverage214181
92.10
Drake UniversityIowaPioneer Football League / Miss...PrivateAboveAverage263136
91.96
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
91.84
University of DenverColoradoThe Summit LeaguePrivateAboveAverage204186
89.92
University of San DiegoCaliforniaPioneer Football League / West...PrivateGood203195
89.16
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
89.11
Clark UniversityMassachusettsNew England Women's & Men's At...PrivateGood201224
88.40
Elon UniversityNorth CarolinaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateGood200178
87.16
Muhlenberg CollegePennsylvaniaCentennial ConferencePrivateGood223217
85.72
University of Puget SoundWashingtonNorthwest ConferencePrivateGood227223
85.12
United States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticutNew England Football Conferenc...PublicGood18597
84.76
Denison UniversityOhioNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateGood204170