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

State of Georgia University Academic Rankings

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examples: Yale "Wake Forest" "Big Ten" TX NC

2016 Georgia University Academic Rankings

2016 Georgia University Academic Rankings
rank value image public university state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research r pop r stem r other salary ROI overall ROI scores value difficulty value smartest value brainpower value faculty value research value salary ROI value overall ROI value scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price scores valid
11.17
PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference111112213112167|90-0.96|1002234|932196|916|981.67|981919988|961.00|992167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052True
22.00
PrivateEmory UniversityGeorgiaUniversity Athletic Association222321121522067|862.28|432118|882013|8457|811.00|991449599|723.50|972067/1378/31Excellent1893.38543782969405130061344True
33.33
PublicUniversity of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern Conference363233332631877|782.68|332081|872032|85112|632.67|971400478|704.50|961877/1251/28Good17173.202762688283154660040890True
46.50
PrivateMercer UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Conference5488777771161760|732.58|351756|731523|63300|07.00|931207746|607.50|931760/1173/26AboveAverage28382.950457039824660048468True
56.68
PublicGeorgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt Conference1294444444951595|662.75|311901|791824|76122|594.00|961258484|637.00|931595/1063/24Average21462.80882532872284450040068True
67.20
PublicGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt Conference10866666661071640|682.71|321886|791791|75198|346.00|941244764|628.00|921640/1093/25Average19512.8041800425134390033093True
77.60
PublicKennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun Conference111055777771391600|672.78|311896|791815|76300|07.00|931193235|6010.00|901600/1067/24Average22542.8002359221224140034346True
88.00
PublicSouthern Polytechnic State UniversityGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation93111177777341680|702.48|381739|721453|61300|07.00|931521010|765.50|951680/1120/25AboveAverage100612.95059718155210030134True
98.50
PublicGeorgia College and State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference7119107777719111695|712.78|311751|731472|61300|07.00|931140442|5714.00|861695/1130/25AboveAverage9432.95059278454110042954True
109.83
PrivateSavannah College of Art and DesignGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation13131097777720141590|662.81|301742|731507|63300|07.00|931114383|5615.00|851590/1060/24Average0342.800909222554090052529True
1110.00
PrivateCovenant CollegeGeorgiaUSA South Athletic Conference4523147777741231770|742.63|341140|481271|53300|07.00|93713383|3626.00|741770/1180/27AboveAverage8472.9501105683190041690True
1211.00
PrivateBerry CollegeGeorgiaSouthern Athletic Association6724157777724181730|722.69|331060|441222|51300|07.00|931055138|5318.00|821730/1153/26AboveAverage16432.9502085923680044388True
1211.00
PublicUniversity of North GeorgiaGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference16187777777471525|642.91|271786|741655|69300|07.00|931487013|748.00|921525/1017/23Average0682.800155075574660026698True
1412.60
PublicValdosta State UniversityGeorgiaGulf South Conference151712127777715121530|642.89|281699|711448|60300|07.00|931164363|5814.50|861530/1020/23Average14542.800932822353590030547True
1513.17
PrivateOglethorpe UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Athletic Association81226197777743291685|702.79|30970|401118|47300|07.00|93687943|3429.00|711685/1123/25AboveAverage10522.950109403190048050True
1615.00
PublicGeorgia Regents UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference171916167777739251520|632.91|271555|651221|51300|07.00|93727911|3627.50|731520/1013/23Average0752.800522527633190038058True
1715.80
PublicArmstrong Atlantic State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference202114177777717161495|622.92|271584|661219|51300|07.00|931154272|5817.00|831495/997/22Average27642.80063467484230036436True
1815.83
PrivateSpelman CollegeGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation171429217777742321520|632.85|29640|27853|36300|07.00|93705179|3530.00|701520/1013/23Average26212.800213503190043741True
1917.06
PrivateToccoa Falls CollegeGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation141628227777733231540|642.88|28680|28848|35300|07.00|93749215|3726.00|741540/1027/23Average4492.80092003190032732True
2018.00
PublicColumbus State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference252515187777714161455|612.98|251568|651179|49300|07.00|931174544|5917.00|831455/970/22BelowAverage18642.800688013123850030450True
2118.40
PublicUniversity of West GeorgiaGeorgiaGulf South Conference293013137777712151415|593.03|241626|681346|56300|07.00|931200259|6016.50|841415/943/21BelowAverage13572.8001024919574180032590True
2219.39
PrivateMorehouse CollegeGeorgiaSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...20153128777777121495|622.87|28590|25809|34300|07.00|931381347|6914.50|861495/997/22Average31432.800210905050047300True
2320.20
PrivateReinhardt UniversityGeorgiaMid - South Conference / Appal...192030257777737321515|632.91|27629|26823|34300|07.00|93745519|3730.00|701515/1010/23Average7532.8001334883190033656True
2420.60
PublicClayton State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference312817207777716191405|593.02|251514|631109|46300|07.00|931155657|5820.00|801405/937/21BelowAverage45702.80066323904200028745True
2520.67
PublicCollege of Coastal GeorgiaGeorgiaSouthern States Athletic Conference31342124777772101405|593.05|241194|50826|34300|07.00|931635756|8213.50|871405/937/21BelowAverage002.800300805070027766True
2622.00
PrivateLaGrange CollegeGeorgiaUSA South Athletic Conference202231307777722211495|622.92|27590|25763|32300|07.00|931088356|5424.00|761495/997/22Average22522.800880844200041592True
2722.17
PrivateYoung Harris CollegeGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference252635337777740371455|612.99|25510|21712|30300|07.00|93724999|3633.50|671455/970/22BelowAverage002.800121803190038786True
2822.64
PrivateWesleyan CollegeGeorgiaGreat South Athletic Conference232333327777734341485|622.93|27570|24719|30300|07.00|93748843|3731.00|691485/990/22BelowAverage23482.800661503190032825True
2922.67
PublicAbraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation363619317777728271345|563.11|221212|51753|31300|07.00|93782627|3928.50|721345/897/20BelowAverage002.800345803190024379True
3022.80
PublicGeorgia Southwestern State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference282725277777721221420|593.02|251032|43811|34300|07.00|931102845|5525.50|751420/947/21BelowAverage23682.80025271393640029707True
3123.20
PrivatePiedmont CollegeGeorgiaUSA South Athletic Conference232433297777738381485|622.96|26570|24769|32300|07.00|93742439|3734.50|661485/990/22BelowAverage4542.80012868343190034426True
3223.50
PublicGordon State CollegeGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation404120267777727311270|533.18|211211|50812|34300|07.00|93783607|3929.50|711270/847/19BelowAverage002.800404703190024134True
3325.80
PublicSavannah State UniversityGeorgiaMid Eastern Athletic Conference414018237777725291255|523.17|211266|53843|35300|07.00|931015899|5129.00|711255/837/19BelowAverage25662.80047691463780026961True
3426.80
PrivateBrenau UniversityGeorgiaSouthern States Athletic Conference272936357777723271425|593.02|24450|19673|28300|07.00|931081475|5428.50|721425/950/21BelowAverage8542.800159611934200040558True
3527.60
PublicAlbany State UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...383722347777731361320|553.12|221160|48707|29300|07.00|93763951|3833.00|671320/880/20BelowAverage20522.80033165943190029048True
3628.40
PrivatePoint UniversityGeorgiaIndependent Southeast Region /...303237367777729351408|593.05|24415|17640|27300|07.00|93769743|3832.50|681408/938/21BelowAverage0612.800152203190027600True
3729.40
PrivateTruett-McConnell CollegeGeorgiaAppalachian Athletic Conference313438377777732381405|593.05|24410|17640|27300|07.00|93762863|3834.50|661405/937/21BelowAverage0862.8001663183190029320True
3829.80
PrivateClark Atlanta UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...393927395555518261280|533.15|21866|36589|25137|545.00|951141979|5728.00|721280/853/19BelowAverage18592.80925679184270037061True
3930.20
PrivateShorter UniversityGeorgiaGulf South Conference343339387777735421395|583.05|24390|16615|26300|07.00|93747231|3737.00|631395/930/21BelowAverage17532.80014601063190033228True
3930.20
PrivateEmmanuel CollegeGeorgiaConference Carolinas34313940777778201395|583.04|24390|16576|24300|07.00|931341976|6723.50|771395/930/21BelowAverage23642.80081604510028070True
4132.80
PrivateBrewton-Parker CollegeGeorgiaSouthern States Athletic Conference373841417777730411325|553.12|22250|10419|17300|07.00|93769299|3835.50|651325/883/20BelowAverage10792.80063803190027711True
4235.00
PublicFort Valley State UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...424242427777736431240|523.18|2080|3363|15300|07.00|93747027|3739.00|611240/827/19BelowAverage24622.80022313633190033279True
4335.80
PrivatePaine CollegeGeorgiaSouthern Intercollegiate Athle...434343437777726381145|483.26|18-110|0126|5300|07.00|93784743|3934.50|661145/763/17BelowAverage9712.80084803190023850True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Georgia?

1. Georgia Institute of Technology

2. Emory University

3. University of Georgia

4. Mercer University

5. Georgia State University

6. Georgia Southern University

7. Kennesaw State University

2016 Top 10 Georgia University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Georgia University Academic Rankings
rank value public name state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price
11.17PublicGeorgia Institute of TechnologyGeorgiaAtlantic Coast Conference111112112167/1445/33Elite78192.906531468284276250044052
22.00PrivateEmory UniversityGeorgiaUniversity Athletic Association222321322067/1378/31Excellent1893.38543782969405130061344
33.33PublicUniversity of GeorgiaGeorgiaSoutheastern Conference363233431877/1251/28Good17173.202762688283154660040890
45.83PrivateMercer UniversityGeorgiaSouthern Conference547766761760/1173/26AboveAverage28382.950457039824660048468
56.14PublicGeorgia State UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt Conference1084444551595/1063/24Average21462.80882532872284450040068
66.40PublicGeorgia Southern UniversityGeorgiaSun Belt Conference876655671640/1093/25Average19512.8041800425134390033093
76.67PublicSouthern Polytechnic State UniversityGeorgiaNo Conference Affiliation739966241680/1120/25AboveAverage100612.95059718155210030134
86.80PublicKennesaw State UniversityGeorgiaAtlantic Sun Conference995566881600/1067/24Average22542.8002359221224140034346
96.83PrivateCovenant CollegeGeorgiaUSA South Athletic Conference451010661091770/1180/27AboveAverage8472.9501105683190041690
107.33PublicGeorgia College and State UniversityGeorgiaPeach Belt Conference6108866991695/1130/25AboveAverage9432.95059278454110042954