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 North Florida

2016 University Academic Rankings

The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public university in Jacksonville, Florida. A member institution of the State University System of Florida, the university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award baccalaureate, masters and doctorate degrees to its students. Its campus comprises 1,300 acres surrounded by a natural preserve on Jacksonville's Southside. The current president is former Jacksonville mayor John Delaney.

UNF opened in 1972, with Thomas G. Carpenter serving as its first president. Initially designated an upper division college for juniors and seniors, it began admitting freshmen in 1984. UNF is organized into five colleges which offer 53 undergraduate degree programs and 28 graduate degree programs, with noted business, coastal biology, nursing, nutrition, and music programs. Most students reside off campus, though there are six areas of on-campus housing. In 2006, the Social Sciences building became the first facility to be LEED-certified in northeast Florida, as well as the first "green" building on campus. As of 2010, there are five buildings on campus that have been certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

UNF has over 140 clubs and organizations for students as well as an active Student Government and Greek life. The student-run newspaper The Spinnaker is published monthly. Its intercollegiate athletics teams are known as the Ospreys, and are currently members of the Atlantic Sun Conference in NCAA Division I. Beginning in 2007, The Princeton Review has named UNF one of the best colleges in the Southeast for four consecutive years, and has been named one of "America's Best Colleges" by Forbes Magazine.

History

The university was founded in 1969 after 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) midway between downtown Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Beaches were set aside for the campus, 500 acres (2.0 km2) of which were donated by the Skinner family of Jacksonville. Until this time, the only publicly funded institution of higher learning was Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Construction on classrooms and buildings began in 1971 and UNF opened in the fall of 1972 with an initial enrollment of 2,027 juniors, supported by 117 faculty and more than 150 staff. Originally, like the other Florida state institutions opened around this time, UNF was designated as a "senior" college, meaning that it would enroll only upperclassmen and graduate students.

UNF graduated 35 students in 1973. The school was quick to expand and it was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1974. The school's mascot, the osprey, was adopted in November 1979 over other choices such as the armadillo, the manatee and the seagull. The male and female versions of the mascot are known as Ozzie and Harriet.

In 1980, there was a legislative effort to merge UNF with the University of Florida but a bill proposing this was vetoed by Governor Bob Graham. Freshmen and sophomores were admitted for the first time in 1984. Enrollment at UNF exceeded 10,000 in 1995, and in the spring of 2000 it broke its commencement record, graduating over 1,000 students.

The 2000s saw significant development on campus as many new buildings including the Social Science building, Science and Engineering building, College of Education and Human Services building, Fine Arts Center, Student Union, and Osprey Fountains residence hall were built. In 2002, a 13-member Board of Trustees began work to oversee UNF. Former mayor of Jacksonville John Delaney was appointed President of the university in 2003.

Campus

UNF has 28 major buildings and six housing facilities on campus. Many of the buildings bear the names of individuals who have made significant contributions to the university. These buildings include the Coggin College of Busine ... [more on wikipedia]

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

University of North Florida Details

University of North Florida Details
detail value
stateFlorida
conferenceAtlantic Sun Conference
publicPublic
scores1700/1133/26
levelAboveAverage
rank[219
overall ROI rank[214
sizemedium
undergrads14121
grads1863
price35481
drop46
stem43
research0
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for University of North Florida?

1. number 219 for Academics.

2. number 214 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to University of North Florida?

1. Montana State University

2. Rowan University

3. University of Maryland-Baltimore County

4. University of Wyoming

5. Rochester Institute of Technology

6. University of Massachusetts-Lowell

7. North Dakota State University



National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

University of North Florida National Academic Rankings

University of North Florida National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top250219208193161163153159183214
South East Region395345323648477155
State of Florida99107814132113
Top Ten Top250219208193161163153159183214
Top Ten State of Florida1089778889


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

University of North Florida Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of North Florida

University of North Florida Peer Universities, Similar Universities to University of North Florida
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
92.94
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
92.34
Rowan UniversityNew JerseyNew Jersey Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage306392
92.04
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMarylandAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage130174
91.45
University of WyomingWyomingMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage250152
86.35
Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew YorkUpstate Collegiate Athletic As...PrivateAboveAverage151195
86.13
University of Massachusetts-LowellMassachusettsAmerica EastPublicAboveAverage247275
85.72
North Dakota State UniversityNorth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage261196
85.67
University of Southern MississippiMississippiConference USAPublicAverage493423
85.63
University of Illinois at ChicagoIllinoisHorizon LeaguePublicAboveAverage159111
85.57
Drexel UniversityPennsylvaniaColonial Athletic AssociationPrivateAboveAverage120134
85.51
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
85.39
Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleIllinoisOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage438368
84.93
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
84.73
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
84.56
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
84.50
Louisiana Tech UniversityLouisianaConference USAPublicAverage392213
83.39
University of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPublicAboveAverage312185
83.34
University of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage189264
81.80
University of the PacificCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage251344
81.30
University of Detroit MercyMichiganHorizon LeaguePrivateAboveAverage415313
80.00
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
80.00
CUNY Brooklyn CollegeNew YorkCity University of New York At...PublicAverage296394
79.92
The University of Texas at DallasTexasAmerican Southwest ConferencePublicGood7055
79.71
University of Colorado DenverColoradoNo Conference AffiliationPublicAverage283217
79.69
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage368278
79.43
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
79.19
California State University-ChicoCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage392409
79.18
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
79.05
Stony Brook UniversityNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicGood62109
78.99
Wichita State UniversityKansasMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage382307
78.92
Cleveland State UniversityOhioHorizon LeaguePublicAverage440299
78.22
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicGood9688
78.20
Tennessee Technological UniversityTennesseeOhio Valley ConferencePublicAverage374212
78.05
University of Minnesota-DuluthMinnesotaNorthern Sun Intercollegiate C...PublicAverage464346
77.96
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
77.74
University of MaineMaineAtlantic 10 Conference / Ameri...PublicAverage248245
77.72
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
77.54
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCaliforniaCalifornia Collegiate Athletic...PublicAverage288356
77.32
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
77.27
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
77.18
North Carolina State University at RaleighNorth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage5831
77.18
University of California-IrvineCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAboveAverage108162
76.75
University of California-DavisCaliforniaBig Sky Conference / Big West ...PublicAboveAverage58142
76.71
University of New OrleansLouisianaSouthland ConferencePublicAverage405309
76.59
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
76.45
Purdue UniversityIndianaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5720
76.36
University of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage94113
76.18
University of HoustonTexasAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage8960
75.69
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
75.66
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

University of North Florida Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of North Florida

University of North Florida Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to University of North Florida
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
97.42
College of CharlestonSouth CarolinaColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage219233
96.97
University of OregonOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage174221
96.89
Mid - American Conference (Average)-Mid American Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-185
96.81
Montana State UniversityMontanaBig Sky ConferencePublicAboveAverage217168
96.59
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
94.98
University of North Carolina WilmingtonNorth CarolinaColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage221228
94.34
University of New HampshireNew HampshireColonial Athletic Association ...PublicAverage221225
94.14
University of San FranciscoCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage226241
94.02
SUNY at AlbanyNew YorkColonial Athletic Association ...PublicAverage188218
93.97
Loyola Marymount UniversityCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage218233
90.41
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
88.16
Milwaukee School of EngineeringWisconsinNorthern Athletics Collegiate ...PrivateGood184102
86.50
Muhlenberg CollegePennsylvaniaCentennial ConferencePrivateGood223217
85.56
Trinity CollegeConnecticutNew England Small College Ath ConfPrivateGood215225
84.87
Thomas Aquinas CollegeCaliforniaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateGood223243
82.43
Lewis & Clark CollegeOregonNorthwest ConferencePrivateExcellent179221
81.68
New College of FloridaFloridaNo Conference AffiliationPublicExcellent190237