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

Virginia Commonwealth University

2016 University Academic Rankings
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a public research university located in Richmond, Virginia. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden-Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virginia in 1854. In 1968, the Virginia General Assembly merged MCV with the Richmond Professional Institute, founded in 1917, to create Virginia Commonwealth University. Today, more than 31,000 students pursue 226 degree and certificate programs through VCU's 13 schools and one college. The VCU Health System supports the university's health care education, research and patient care mission.

With a record $270.3 million in sponsored research funding in the fiscal year 2014-15, VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. A broad array of university-approved centers and institutes of excellence, involving faculty from multiple disciplines in public policy, biotechnology and health care discoveries, supports the university's research mission. Twenty-eight graduate and first-professional programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report as among the best in the country. VCU's athletic teams compete in Division I of the NCAA and are collectively known as the VCU Rams. They are members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The VCU campus includes historic buildings such as the Ginter House, now used by the school's provost.

History | Beginnings

Though officially created with the merger of the Richmond Professional Institute (RPI) and Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in 1968, VCU's history began in 1838 when the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College opened in Richmond. In 1844, it moved into its first permanent home, the Egyptian Building. In 1854, the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College received an independent charter from the Virginia General Assembly and became the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). A few years later in 1860, MCV conveyed all its property to the Commonwealth of Virginia and becomes a state institution in exchange for $30,000. In 1893, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, later University College of Medicine, was established by Hunter Holmes McGuire just three blocks away from MCV. In 1912, McGuire Hall opened as the new home of the University College of Medicine. The following year, MCV and UCM merged through the efforts of George Ben Johnston and Stuart McGuire. MCV acquired the Memorial Hospital as a result of the merger.

Richmond Professional Institute traces its roots back to 1917, when it began as the Richmond School of Social Work and Public Health. In 1925, it became the Richmond division of The College of William & Mary. In 1939, this division became the Richmond Professional Institute of The College of William & Mary" (RPI). In 1947, the MCV Foundation was incorporated, and in 1962 RPI separated from William & Mary to become an independent state institution. Then in 1968, state legislation (Wayne Commission Report) merged MCV and RPI to become Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU claims 1838 as its founding date on its official seal and on promotional materials.

Recent history

In 2013, VCU was awarded a $62 million federal grant to oversee a national research consortium of universities, hospitals and clinics to study what happens to service members and veterans who suffer mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions.

In 2010, VCU received a $20 million National Institutes of Health grant to join a nationwide consortium of research institutions working to turn laboratory discoveries into treatments for patients. The Clinical and Translational Science Award made VCU the only academic health center in Virginia to join the prestigious CTSA network. In 2011, The Carnegie Foundation elevated Virginia Commonwealth University to "Very High Research ... [more on wikipedia]

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

Virginia Commonwealth University Details

Virginia Commonwealth University Details
detail value
stateVirginia
conferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
publicPublic
scores1645/1097/25
levelAboveAverage
rank[178
overall ROI rank[207
sizemedium-large
undergrads23661
grads7187
price47104
drop43
stem25
research202
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for Virginia Commonwealth University?

1. number 178 for Academics.

2. number 207 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to Virginia Commonwealth University?

1. University of Massachusetts-Amherst

2. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

3. University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus

4. Auburn University

5. University of Missouri-Columbia

6. University at Buffalo

7. University of Kansas


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

Virginia Commonwealth University National Academic Rankings

Virginia Commonwealth University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Top25017823024314413210795207207
Public938996756859618495
Atlantic 10 Conference611117542139
New England Region739498645643317781
State of Virginia8111688331611
Top Ten Top25017823024314413210795207207
Top Ten Atlantic 10 Conference6810754296
Top Ten State of Virginia899883398


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

Virginia Commonwealth University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to Virginia Commonwealth University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.60
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
99.44
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
99.25
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
99.15
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
99.04
University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage12198
98.94
University at BuffaloNew YorkMid American ConferencePublicAboveAverage124190
98.78
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
98.12
Florida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage76104
93.32
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
93.26
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
93.02
West Virginia UniversityWest VirginiaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage320192
92.93
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
92.84
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
92.82
University of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage171119
92.61
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
92.57
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
92.53
University of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern ConferencePublicGood8265
92.33
Old Dominion UniversityVirginiaConference USAPublicAverage356368
92.30
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
92.24
Temple UniversityPennsylvaniaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage168199
92.22
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
92.18
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
92.13
Iowa State UniversityIowaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage12971
91.85
University of ConnecticutConnecticutBig East ConferencePublicGood87139
91.53
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
91.23
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew JerseyBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage56115
91.16
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
90.61
Arizona State University-TempeArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage10182
86.61
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
86.60
Oregon State UniversityOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage152202
86.50
Utah State UniversityUtahMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage165120
86.49
University of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage202106
86.35
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
86.30
University of IowaIowaBig Ten ConferencePublicGood6879
86.30
George Mason UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage156143
86.27
East Carolina UniversityNorth CarolinaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage312325
86.26
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
86.23
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
86.19
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
86.14
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
85.92
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
85.73
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
85.28
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvaniaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicGood5075
84.98
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
84.78
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
84.74
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
84.66
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
83.89
Pennsylvania State UniversityPennsylvaniaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage5384
83.29
University of Alabama at BirminghamAlabamaConference USAPublicAboveAverage153148
82.99
University of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage103141


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to Virginia Commonwealth University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
96.77
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
96.51
University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaiiMountain West Conference / Big...PublicAverage204245
96.50
New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew JerseyIndependent Northeast RegionPublicAboveAverage195185
95.80
The University of AlabamaAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage175112
95.70
University of OregonOregonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage174221
95.39
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
95.10
Mississippi State UniversityMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage197130
94.21
University of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage171119
92.09
University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAlabamaGulf South ConferencePublicAboveAverage181103
91.27
College of CharlestonSouth CarolinaColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAboveAverage219233
90.90
Loyola Marymount UniversityCaliforniaWest Coast ConferencePrivateAboveAverage218233
90.54
University of Missouri-Kansas CityMissouriWestern Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage197155
90.39
Truman State UniversityMissouriGreat Lakes Valley ConferencePublicAboveAverage208189
90.23
University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPuerto RicoIndependent Southeast RegionPublicAboveAverage176232
89.49
University of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage189264
84.61
New Mexico Institute of Mining and TechnologyNew MexicoNo Conference AffiliationPublicGood18093
83.01
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIndianaHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...PrivateExcellent15960
82.63
Lewis & Clark CollegeOregonNorthwest ConferencePrivateExcellent179221
81.46
Dickinson CollegePennsylvaniaCentennial ConferencePrivateExcellent187201