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 New Mexico

2016 University Academic Rankings
The University of New Mexico (also referred to as UNM) is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is New Mexico's flagship research institution, the largest post-secondary institution in the state in total enrollment across all campuses as of 2012, and one of the state's largest employers.

History | Founding

The University of New Mexico was founded on February 28, 1889, with the passage of House Bill No. 186 by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of New Mexico; stipulating that "Said institution is hereby located at or near the town of Albuquerque, in the county of Bernalillo within two miles north of railroad avenue in said town, upon a tract of good high and dry land, of not less than twenty acres suitable for the purposes of such institution," and that it would be the state university when New Mexico became a state. Bernard Shandon Rodey, a judge of the territory of New Mexico, pushed for Albuquerque as the location of the University and was one of the authors of the statute that created UNM, earning him the title of "Father of the University." Two years later, Elias S. Stover became the first president of the University and the following year the University's first building, Hodgin Hall, opened.

Early growth

The third president of UNM, William G. Tight, who served from 1901-09, introduced many programs for students and faculty, including the first fraternity and sorority. Tight introduced the Pueblo Revival architecture for which the campus has become known. During Tight's term, the first Pueblo Revival style building on campus, the Estufa, was constructed, and the Victorian-style Hodgin Hall was plastered over to create a monument to Pueblo Indian culture. However, Tight was vilified for his primitivism and was removed from office for political reasons, though history would vindicate him as the Pueblo Revival style became the dominant architectural style on campus.

Under David Ross Boyd, the university's fifth president, the campus was enlarged from 20 to 300 acres (1.2 km2) and a 200,000-acre (810 km2) federal land grant was made to the university. In 1922, the University was accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. During this time, more facilities were constructed for the university, but it was under the tenure of James F. Zimmerman, the university's seventh president, that the university underwent its first major expansion. Under Zimmerman, many new buildings were constructed, student enrollment increased, new departments were added, and greater support was generated for scientific research. Among the new buildings constructed were Zimmerman Library, Scholes Hall, the first student union building (now the anthropology complex), the university's first gymnasium and its first stadium. John Gaw Meem, a famed Santa Fe architect, was contracted to design many of the buildings constructed during this period, and is credited with imbuing the campus with its distinctive Pueblo Revival style.

World War II and beyond

During World War II, University of New Mexico was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission.

Thomas L. Popejoy, the ninth and the first native New Mexican university president, was appointed in 1948 and oversaw the university through the next twenty years, a period of major growth for the university. During this time, enrollment jumped from nearly 5,000 to more than 14,000, new programs such as medicine, nursing, dental, and law were founded, and new facilities such as Mesa Vista Hall, Mitchell Hall, Johnson Gymnasium, new dormitories, the current student union building, the College of Education complex, the business center, the engineering complex, the Fine Arts Center, the Student Health Center, University Stadium, Un ... [more on wikipedia]

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

University of New Mexico Details

University of New Mexico Details
detail value
stateNew Mexico
conferenceMountain West Conference
publicPublic
scores1610/1073/24
levelAverage
rank[265
overall ROI rank[153
sizemedium-large
undergrads21792
grads6052
price34110
drop50
stem29
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for University of New Mexico?

1. number 265 for Academics.

2. number 153 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to University of New Mexico?

1. University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

3. West Virginia University

4. Oklahoma State University

5. Kansas State University

6. Washington State University

7. Oregon State University


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

University of New Mexico National Academic Rankings

University of New Mexico National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Div1 Public737658696891913456
Mountain West Conference665559924
South West Region243631191933333120
State of New Mexico122112232
Top Ten Mountain West Conference665558824
Top Ten State of New Mexico122112232


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

University of New Mexico Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of New Mexico

University of New Mexico Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of New Mexico
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
93.21
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
93.12
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
93.11
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
93.08
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
92.89
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
92.75
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
92.74
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
92.70
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
92.40
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
92.37
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
92.12
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
91.78
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
91.74
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
91.59
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
91.55
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
91.39
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
91.26
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
86.63
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
86.54
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
86.53
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
86.43
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
86.41
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWisconsinHorizon LeaguePublicBelowAverage420367
86.31
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
86.20
Middle Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeConference USAPublicAverage384372
86.16
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291
86.16
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
86.14
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
86.11
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
86.08
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
85.93
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
85.92
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
85.91
Boise State UniversityIdahoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage389329
85.78
Western Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicBelowAverage446320
85.75
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage167212
85.68
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
85.55
Illinois State UniversityIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage279222
85.47
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
85.28
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
85.22
University of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage359314
85.18
Oakland UniversityMichiganHorizon LeaguePublicAverage417270
85.15
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
85.03
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
84.98
University of California-Santa CruzCaliforniaDivision III IndependentsPublicAverage157208
84.92
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
84.76
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLouisianaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage350248
84.32
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
83.62
Cleveland State UniversityOhioHorizon LeaguePublicAverage440299
83.54
Florida International UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage163170
79.83
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
79.42
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

University of New Mexico Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of New Mexico

University of New Mexico Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of New Mexico
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.38
Towson UniversityMarylandColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAverage264365
98.38
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
98.00
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
97.08
University of MississippiMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAverage232197
97.00
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
95.96
Missouri Valley Conference (Average)-Missouri Valley Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-202
95.06
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
94.28
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
94.02
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage261196
93.99
Appalachian State UniversityNorth CarolinaSun Belt ConferencePublicAboveAverage230228
93.83
Southern Polytechnic State UniversityGeorgiaNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage267128
89.80
Christopher Newport UniversityVirginiaUSA South Athletic Conference ...PublicAboveAverage268320
88.45
Drake UniversityIowaPioneer Football League / Miss...PrivateAboveAverage263136
86.94
Rollins CollegeFloridaSunshine State ConferencePrivateAboveAverage262338
86.15
Sewanee-The University of the SouthTennesseeSouthern Athletic AssociationPrivateGood244250
82.40
Centre CollegeKentuckySouthern Athletic AssociationPrivateGood244198