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

West Virginia University

2016 University Academic Rankings
West Virginia University (WVU) is a public land grant research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States. Its other campuses include the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery and Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser; and a second clinical campus for the University's medical and dental schools at Charleston Area Medical Center in Charleston. WVU Extension Service provides outreach with offices in all of West Virginia's 55 counties. Since 2001, WVU has been governed by the West Virginia University Board of Governors.

Enrollment for the fall 2013 semester was 29,466 for the main campus, while enrollment across all campuses totaled 32,348. WVU offers 191 bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degree programs in 15 colleges.

WVU has produced 24 Rhodes Scholars, including former WVU president David C. Hardesty, Jr. The University has also produced 36 Goldwater Scholars, 22 Truman Scholars, and five members of USA Today's "All‑USA College Academic First Team."

History | Founding the university

Under the terms of the 1862 Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, the West Virginia Legislature created the Agricultural College of West Virginia on February 7, 1867, and the school officially opened on September 2 of the same year. On December 4, 1868, lawmakers renamed the college West Virginia University to represent a broader range of higher education. The University was built on the grounds of three former academies, the Monongalia Academy of 1814, the Morgantown Female Academy of 1831, and Woodburn Female Seminary of 1858. Upon its founding, the local newspaper claimed that "a place more eligible for the quiet and successful pursuit of science and literature is nowhere to be found".

The first campus building was constructed in 1870 as University Hall, and was renamed Martin Hall in 1889 in honor of West Virginia University's first president, the Rev. Alexander Martin of Scotland. After the Woodburn Seminary building was destroyed by fire in 1873, the centerpiece of what is now Woodburn Hall was completed in 1876, under the name New Hall. The name was changed to University Building in 1878, when the College of Law was founded as the first professional school in the state of West Virginia. The precursor to Woodburn Circle was finished in 1893 when Chitwood Hall (then Science Hall) was constructed on the bluff's north side. In 1909 a north wing was added to University Building, and the facility was renamed Woodburn Hall. Throughout the next decade, Woodburn Hall underwent several renovations and additions, including the construction of the south wing and east tower (in 1930) housing the Seth Thomas clock. The three Woodburn Circle buildings were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. In 1899, the Vance Farm was acquired for the West Virginia University Experiment Station.

WVU was required to have a Cadet Corps under the terms of the Morrill Act of 1862, which allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges. The United States Department of War-a predecessor of the U.S. Department of Defense-offered military equipment to the university at no charge, forming the basis of the school's Military Tactics department. The heavy military influence led to opposition of female enrollment that lasted through the first decade of the university. The trend changed in 1889, when ten women were allowed to enroll and seek degrees at the university. In June 1891, Harriet Lyon became the first woman to receive a degree from West Virginia University, finishing first in the class ahead of all male students. Lyon's academic success supported the acceptance of women in the university as students and educators.

During the University's early years, daily chapel serv ... [more on wikipedia]

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

West Virginia University Details

West Virginia University Details
detail value
stateWest Virginia
conferenceBig Twelve Conference
publicPublic
scores1545/1030/23
levelAverage
rank[320
overall ROI rank[192
sizemedium-large
undergrads22563
grads6612
price32895
drop41
stem24
research162
scores validTrue
Common Questions...

What are the academic rankings for West Virginia University?

1. number 320 for Academics.

2. number 192 for ROI (Return on Investment).

What universities are similar to West Virginia University?

1. Oklahoma State University

2. Old Dominion University

3. San Diego State University

4. Texas Tech University

5. University of Louisville

6. Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis

7. University of Massachusetts-Amherst


National Academic Rankings

(summary of all ranking placements)

West Virginia University National Academic Rankings

West Virginia University National Academic Rankings
category rank scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI
Div1 Public909689817781623067
Power5666764636263562854
Big Twelve Conference1010101098769
State of West Virginia111111131
Top Ten Big Twelve Conference1010101098769
Top Ten State of West Virginia111111131


Peer Universities / Similar Universities

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

West Virginia University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to West Virginia University

West Virginia University Peer Universities, Similar Universities to West Virginia University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
99.52
Oklahoma State UniversityOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage182124
99.28
Old Dominion UniversityVirginiaConference USAPublicAverage356368
98.63
San Diego State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage183218
98.59
Texas Tech UniversityTexasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage176104
98.05
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
93.32
Indiana University-Purdue University-IndianapolisIndianaThe Summit LeaguePublicAverage427342
93.24
University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusettsMid - American Conference / At...PublicAboveAverage88144
93.24
East Carolina UniversityNorth CarolinaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage312325
93.23
University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth CarolinaDivision I-AA Independents / C...PublicAverage292207
93.11
Kent State University at KentOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage347358
93.11
University of New MexicoNew MexicoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage265153
93.07
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennesseeSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage116188
93.05
Ohio UniversityOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage215174
93.02
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityVirginiaAtlantic 10 ConferencePublicAboveAverage178207
92.97
Washington State UniversityWashingtonPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage189193
92.87
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahomaBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage13754
92.76
Auburn UniversityAlabamaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage13979
92.72
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSouth CarolinaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage93130
92.67
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
92.61
Georgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage253230
92.57
Florida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USAPublicAverage305303
92.38
University of KansasKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAboveAverage172130
92.31
San Jose State UniversityCaliforniaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage386389
92.11
University of Missouri-ColumbiaMissouriSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage12198
91.77
Clemson UniversitySouth CarolinaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage9851
91.64
University of Nevada-RenoNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicAverage289340
91.42
University of ToledoOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage405285
91.42
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
91.26
California State University-FullertonCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage362435
91.23
Florida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAboveAverage76104
91.23
Northern Illinois UniversityIllinoisMid American ConferencePublicAverage435289
91.23
University of ArizonaArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage12486
86.63
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWisconsinHorizon LeaguePublicBelowAverage420367
86.57
University of KentuckyKentuckySoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage159130
86.45
University of ArkansasArkansasSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage171119
86.38
Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun ConferencePublicAverage290291
86.37
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsColoradoMountain West ConferencePublicAboveAverage143139
86.32
University of Nevada-Las VegasNevadaMountain West ConferencePublicBelowAverage421449
86.29
University of UtahUtahPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage14286
86.11
Central Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicBelowAverage454402
85.99
Middle Tennessee State UniversityTennesseeConference USAPublicAverage384372
85.90
University of Nebraska-LincolnNebraskaBig Ten ConferencePublicAboveAverage11998
85.88
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisianaSoutheastern ConferencePublicAboveAverage14888
85.82
University of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American ConferencePublicAverage331251
85.71
Boise State UniversityIdahoMountain West ConferencePublicAverage389329
85.66
University of Colorado BoulderColoradoPacific 12 ConferencePublicAboveAverage7959
85.58
Western Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicBelowAverage446320
85.56
Towson UniversityMarylandColonial Athletic AssociationPublicAverage264365
85.55
University of California-RiversideCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage167212
85.42
Eastern Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American ConferencePublicAverage445385


Academic Peer Universities / Similar Academics

(mathematically similar academics)

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

West Virginia University Academic Peer Universities, Similar Academic Universities to West Virginia University
match image university state conference public level rank overall ROI
98.04
South Dakota State UniversitySouth DakotaMissouri Valley Conference / T...PublicAverage354263
98.00
East Carolina UniversityNorth CarolinaAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage312325
97.02
Big West Conference (Low)-Big West Conference-Conf-Average-385
96.48
University of Louisiana at LafayetteLouisianaSun Belt ConferencePublicAverage350248
96.41
University of MemphisTennesseeAmerican Athletic ConferencePublicAverage359314
96.02
California State University-Long BeachCaliforniaBig West ConferencePublicAverage318387
94.48
Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinoisMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage368278
94.48
University of IdahoIdahoSun Belt Conference / Big Sky ...PublicAverage379216
93.96
University of LouisvilleKentuckyAtlantic Coast ConferencePublicAverage258224
93.96
Arizona State University-WestArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage-1-1
93.56
Kansas State UniversityKansasBig Twelve ConferencePublicAverage249168
93.50
Arizona State University-PolytechnicArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage-1-1
91.67
Arizona State University-Downtown PhoenixArizonaPacific 12 ConferencePublicAverage357234
91.37
Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouriMissouri Valley ConferencePublicAverage301266
91.08
University of MississippiMississippiSoutheastern ConferencePublicAverage232197
90.96
Lawrence Technological UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic ConfPrivateAboveAverage319146
89.51
Atlantic 10 Conference (Low)-Atlantic 10 Conference-Conf-AboveAverage-336
86.78
University of Minnesota-MorrisMinnesotaUpper Midwest Athletic ConferencePublicAboveAverage321161
86.03
Allegheny CollegePennsylvaniaNorth Coast Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage322411
85.29
Covenant CollegeGeorgiaUSA South Athletic ConferencePrivateAboveAverage322432
83.07
Soka University of AmericaCaliforniaNo Conference AffiliationPrivateAboveAverage317447
82.80
Eureka CollegeIllinoisUpper Midwest Athletic Confere...PrivateAboveAverage316427
82.31
University of Minnesota-RochesterMinnesotaNo Conference AffiliationPublicAboveAverage324144