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 Michigan University Academic Rankings

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

2016 Michigan University Academic Rankings

2016 Michigan 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
11.00
PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborMichiganBig Ten Conference111111111422078|871.74|562206|922177|9131|901.00|991623972|812.50|982078/1385/31Excellent33103.27126228395152305800055404True
24.67
PublicMichigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...5251024248211768|742.29|431809|751562|6569|773.33|971814991|912.00|981768/1178/27AboveAverage100322.9569565814416280042536True
35.33
PublicMichigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten Conference13102232332531640|682.67|331979|821919|8077|752.00|981436740|724.00|961640/1093/25Average24212.8046438786112954880047115True
46.67
PublicUniversity of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference Affiliation45499999827141779|742.51|371858|771600|67300|08.67|911079999|5415.50|851779/1186/27AboveAverage35562.950707814964150032590True
58.67
PrivateHope CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...3613129999822111785|742.55|361708|711440|60300|08.67|911178512|5913.50|871785/1190/27AboveAverage21212.950345504250041210True
58.67
PublicGrand Valley State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...1414339999824131610|672.75|311891|791806|75300|08.67|911144531|5714.50|861610/1073/24Average12332.8002163634584070026218True
79.17
PrivateCalvin CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...681211999981371763|732.61|351720|721496|62300|08.67|911294884|6510.00|901763/1175/26AboveAverage19222.9503894994230042620True
810.33
PublicUniversity of Michigan-DearbornMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf119111399998661649|692.66|341748|731435|60300|08.67|911435697|727.00|931649/1099/25AboveAverage65462.95071711752501000True
910.50
PrivateKalamazoo CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...2721159999841251842|772.59|351284|541409|59300|08.67|91651058|3325.00|751842/1228/28Good21163.100146103190052654True
1011.00
PrivateLawrence Technological UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf84181899998351680|702.48|381486|621251|52300|08.67|911658704|836.50|941680/1120/25AboveAverage100522.950279812175660044699True
1112.17
PrivateKettering UniversityMichiganNo Conference Affiliation73242199998141720|722.40|401040|431198|50300|08.67|911822272|916.00|941720/1147/26AboveAverage100372.95017323476470052917True
1212.50
PrivateMadonna UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf91217199999820151665|692.73|321509|631237|52300|08.67|911208158|6016.00|841665/1110/25AboveAverage38562.95030089394280029528True
1312.80
PublicOakland UniversityMichiganHorizon League24226576665881533|642.87|281805|751689|70190|375.67|941384190|6910.50|901533/1022/23Average22532.80161693535844650035545True
1413.00
PrivateUniversity of Detroit MercyMichiganHorizon League101119209999811101660|692.70|331451|601217|51300|08.67|911303741|6512.50|881660/1107/25AboveAverage48432.950276221834940052302True
1513.40
PublicWayne State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...26219743423991500|632.87|281795|751684|70155|482.67|971352275|6812.00|881500/1000/23Average67662.802531834792314560037118True
1614.20
PublicEastern Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American Conference2524769999819171505|632.91|271799|751688|70300|08.67|911212682|6117.50|831505/1003/23Average18542.8001834040614190037548True
1714.36
PublicCentral Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American Conference2825848777621201475|612.95|261797|751694|71194|356.67|931187790|5919.00|811475/983/22BelowAverage18432.8092067162084150034620True
1814.85
PublicWestern Michigan UniversityMichiganMid American Conference29261085555410121467|612.95|261777|741665|69164|454.67|951326713|6614.00|861467/978/22BelowAverage24412.80241888950254430037103True
1915.50
PrivateAlbion CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...121526229999840321645|692.77|31890|371053|44300|08.67|91678526|3429.50|711645/1097/25AboveAverage35242.950126803190049685True
2016.17
PrivateAlma CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...141327259999817181610|672.73|32820|34995|41300|08.67|911232379|6218.50|821610/1073/24Average20322.800139603840046350True
2116.67
PrivateAndrews UniversityMichiganNo Conference Affiliation161628266888737301590|662.77|31780|33970|40182|397.67|92730234|3729.00|711590/1060/24Average16332.801180516133190036758True
2218.00
PublicLake Superior State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...171723249999815181570|652.79|301145|481038|43300|08.67|911269119|6318.50|821570/1047/24Average50612.800240614000027404True
2318.31
PrivateSpring Arbor UniversityMichiganCrossroads League221920239999830261555|652.84|291303|541046|44300|08.67|911024971|5126.50|741555/1037/23Average10432.800272210113390035366True
2419.02
PublicNorthern Michigan UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...292715169999823231467|612.95|261614|671328|55300|08.67|911165785|5823.50|771467/978/22BelowAverage20482.80080017804140026090True
2520.20
PublicFerris State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...33311414999987151433|602.99|251694|711421|59300|08.67|911390968|7016.00|841433/956/22BelowAverage39512.8001337312274660028055True
2620.22
PrivateAquinas CollegeMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf181829299999838351567|652.81|30733|31929|39300|08.67|91722018|3632.00|681567/1044/24Average15462.80017891443190038812True
2721.00
PrivateCornerstone UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf192030279999831301566|652.85|29731|30933|39300|08.67|91912204|4629.00|711566/1044/23Average4552.80021526183620037020True
2822.16
PrivateNorthwood University-MichiganMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...272822289999814211475|612.96|261247|52929|39300|08.67|911294117|6521.00|791475/983/22BelowAverage7452.80028782534350036406True
2922.40
PublicSaginaw Valley State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...363416179999816221400|583.04|241584|661292|54300|08.67|911242046|6222.50|781400/933/21BelowAverage17562.80089308993950031427True
3022.68
PrivateCleary UniversityMichiganNo Conference Affiliation232331329999825281540|642.89|28680|28680|28300|08.67|911110600|5627.50|731540/1027/23Average0402.80044196424000True
3125.20
PrivateSiena Heights UniversityMichiganMid - States Football Associat...323025309999826291434|602.99|25936|39815|34300|08.67|911081904|5428.50|721434/956/22BelowAverage46552.80024022404010034554True
3226.27
PrivateKuyper CollegeMichiganNo Conference Affiliation312932359999832351465|612.98|25530|22530|22300|08.67|91762674|3832.00|681465/977/22BelowAverage0482.80026823190028648True
3326.33
PrivateDavenport UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf204040409999828331565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|08.67|911073428|5430.50|701565/1043/23Unknown88712.800663120844110028132False
3326.33
PrivateBaker College Center for Graduate StudiesMichiganNo Conference Affiliation204040409999829341565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|08.67|911065770|5331.00|691565/1043/23Unknown0712.8003976554428000False
3526.43
PrivateCollege for Creative StudiesMichiganNo Conference Affiliation333333319999818261433|603.02|25467|19681|28300|08.67|911231953|6226.50|741433/956/22BelowAverage0402.8001401584370051642True
3628.00
PrivateConcordia University-Ann ArborMichiganMid - States Football Associat...333233339999812241433|603.02|25467|19626|26300|08.67|911296062|6524.00|761433/956/22BelowAverage1592.8006711584090038055True
3729.76
PrivateAdrian CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...383636369999839401310|553.13|22220|9470|20300|08.67|91696978|3538.00|621310/873/20BelowAverage6492.8001622193190045072True
3829.80
PrivateRochester CollegeMichiganIndependent Great Lakes Region363535349999833371400|583.05|24400|17608|25300|08.67|91758882|3835.50|651400/933/21BelowAverage0552.8001103103190029596True
3932.00
PrivateFinlandia UniversityMichiganDivision III Independents393737389999835381300|543.15|21200|8249|10300|08.67|91743522|3737.00|631300/867/20BelowAverage0642.80049303190033436True
4032.40
PrivateOlivet CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...403838379999836401240|523.18|2080|3317|13300|08.67|91735426|3738.00|621240/827/19BelowAverage25532.8001040183190035460True
4133.40
PrivateMarygrove CollegeMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf413939399999834391067|443.30|18-267|0-11|0300|08.67|91752482|3837.50|631067/711/16BelowAverage29752.8008838913190031196True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Michigan?

1. University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

2. Michigan Technological University

3. Michigan State University

4. University of Michigan-Flint

5. Hope College

6. Grand Valley State University

7. Calvin College

2016 Top 10 Michigan University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Michigan 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
11.00PublicUniversity of Michigan-Ann ArborMichiganBig Ten Conference111111422078/1385/31Excellent33103.27126228395152305800055404
23.67PublicMichigan Technological UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...525523211768/1178/27AboveAverage100322.9569565814416280042536
34.17PublicUniversity of Michigan-FlintMichiganNo Conference Affiliation454444951779/1186/27AboveAverage35562.950707814964150032590
44.50PublicMichigan State UniversityMichiganBig Ten Conference992232531640/1093/25Average24212.8046438786112954880047115
55.17PrivateHope CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...367744751785/1190/27AboveAverage21212.950345504250041210
65.67PrivateKalamazoo CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...27984410101842/1228/28Good21163.100146103190052654
65.67PrivateCalvin CollegeMichiganMichigan Intercollegiate Athle...686644651763/1175/26AboveAverage19222.9503894994230042620
65.67PublicGrand Valley State UniversityMichiganGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...10103344891610/1073/24Average12332.8002163634584070026218
96.17PrivateLawrence Technological UniversityMichiganWolverine - Hoosier Athletic Conf848944351680/1120/25AboveAverage100522.950279812175660044699
106.33PrivateKettering UniversityMichiganNo Conference Affiliation73101044141720/1147/26AboveAverage100372.95017323476470052917