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 Ohio University Academic Rankings

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

2016 Ohio University Academic Rankings

2016 Ohio 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
11.33
PrivateCase Western Reserve UniversityOhioPresidents' Athletic Conferenc...112211112112074|861.48|632081|871959|8231|901.00|991688520|841.00|992074/1383/31Excellent50213.25426491158605840059634True
22.50
PublicOhio State UniversityOhioBig Ten Conference5411222211161893|792.26|442129|892092|8769|771.67|981388982|696.50|941893/1262/28Good26193.0078544741135814930042285True
35.33
PublicMiami University-OxfordOhioMid American Conference773357778521844|772.61|352011|841931|80140|547.00|931488246|744.00|961844/1230/28Good17183.10261581328074970045527True
45.50
PrivateOberlin CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference22441110101010962071|861.97|511998|831879|78300|010.00|901434262|726.50|942071/1381/31Excellent15123.2502961174170064396True
58.33
PrivateKenyon CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference331491110101010642026|842.21|451652|691738|72300|010.00|901463503|735.50|952026/1351/30Excellent14133.250166204580062160True
69.17
PublicOhio UniversityOhioMid American Conference201366466651491610|672.74|311902|791822|76138|545.67|941347958|6710.00|901610/1073/24Average16332.80552357156464380033822True
710.00
PublicUniversity of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic Conference1217551110101010231675|702.76|311946|811874|78300|010.00|901676564|844.50|961675/1117/25AboveAverage23382.95024300110135470043008True
810.50
PrivateDenison UniversityOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference452013111010101016111909|802.42|391417|591570|65300|010.00|901325710|6612.00|881909/1272/29Good18203.100227804590058700True
810.50
PrivateUniversity of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...1316101293333451670|702.76|311797|751580|66185|383.00|971503731|756.00|941670/1113/25AboveAverage27252.9588852928145210051320True
1011.00
PrivateCedarville UniversityOhio881316111010101027181755|732.63|341657|691389|58300|010.00|901207850|6018.50|821755/1170/26AboveAverage18312.95033032824500035470True
1111.83
PrivateThe College of WoosterOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference662315111010101035221852|772.58|361303|541435|60300|010.00|901124790|5623.00|771852/1234/28Good19253.100204903800055500True
1212.50
PrivateOhio Northern UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference11916181110101010381705|712.64|341530|641294|54300|010.00|901520084|767.50|931705/1137/26AboveAverage41332.95028548414610042680True
1314.67
PrivateFranciscan University of SteubenvilleOhioAllegheny Mountain Collegiate ...9112720111010101019141725|722.71|321050|441214|51300|010.00|901302165|6516.00|841725/1150/26AboveAverage13292.95021355794500035560True
1314.67
PrivateJohn Carroll UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference17101921111010101010101630|682.70|321485|621186|49300|010.00|901413975|7111.50|891630/1087/24Average19282.80031135754820050090True
1515.50
PrivateWittenberg UniversityOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference10122822111010101012121710|712.72|321020|431184|49300|010.00|901382957|6913.50|871710/1140/26AboveAverage18282.9501948164480050562True
1615.60
PublicUniversity of Akron Main CampusOhioMid American Conference262588111010101020161580|662.80|301859|771764|74300|010.00|901296336|6518.00|821580/1053/24Average26582.8001971042524470033376True
1716.17
PrivateBaldwin Wallace UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference21141823111010101031241605|672.75|311492|621156|48300|010.00|901146071|5724.00|761605/1070/24Average15302.80033626174110041508True
1816.46
PublicKent State University at KentOhioMid American Conference3328778888730241545|642.84|291860|771772|74168|447.67|921152669|5824.00|761545/1030/23Average16472.80272332861494010033486True
1917.00
PrivateXavier UniversityOhioBig East Conference15341517111010101022191650|692.86|291650|691374|57300|010.00|901290739|6520.50|801650/1100/25AboveAverage7222.950462118874710047520True
2018.17
PrivateOhio Wesleyan UniversityOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference13212925111010101023211670|702.78|31940|391110|46300|010.00|901289060|6421.50|791670/1113/25AboveAverage21382.950173404360057650True
2119.00
PrivateCapital UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference24232224111010101025221595|662.79|301362|571112|46300|010.00|901241439|6223.00|771595/1063/24Average6382.80027427524740044976True
2219.17
PrivateOtterbein UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference23192626111010101056381598|672.76|311068|441071|45300|010.00|90693536|3539.00|611598/1065/24Average15372.80023424493190044794True
2319.20
PublicCleveland State UniversityOhioHorizon League343312143555613161540|642.85|291750|731507|63116|625.00|951375545|6918.00|821540/1027/23Average33672.80501182651104460028746True
2419.33
PrivateMarietta CollegeOhioOhio Athletic Conference1522302811101010107131650|692.79|30900|381066|44300|010.00|901447938|7215.50|851650/1100/25AboveAverage28472.95013711294520046151True
2419.33
PrivateKettering CollegeOhioNo Conference Affiliation18153230111010101045321625|682.76|31850|35979|41300|010.00|90776520|3934.50|661625/1083/24Average002.800682783190024048True
2619.64
PrivateThe University of FindlayOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...2824171911101010108151570|652.79|301520|631228|51300|010.00|901446209|7217.00|831570/1047/24Average20452.800396712055590042335True
2720.00
PublicUniversity of ToledoOhioMid American Conference38369107444415201535|642.86|281798|751675|70155|494.00|961341803|6721.00|791535/1023/23Average30512.80711609045364620034147True
2820.33
PrivateThe Christ College of Nursing and Health SciencesOhioNo Conference Affiliation19183331111010101052391620|682.76|31840|35974|41300|010.00|90703988|3540.00|601620/1080/24Average002.8007120319000True
2920.54
PublicBowling Green State UniversityOhioMid American Conference413711116999924261520|632.88|281766|741604|67149|509.00|911278086|6426.50|741520/1013/23Average13402.8091409924554150031566True
3022.58
PrivateMount Vernon Nazarene UniversityOhioCrossroads League22203429111010101042361600|672.77|31800|33987|41300|010.00|90984945|4936.00|641600/1067/24Average11422.80017683693660036576True
3124.67
PrivateColumbus College of Art and DesignOhioNo Conference Affiliation28293733111010101040341570|652.84|29740|31919|38300|010.00|901037037|5235.50|651570/1047/24Average0362.8001255333970042670True
3224.83
PrivateWalsh UniversityOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...34313132111010101026281540|642.84|29871|36971|40300|010.00|901219810|6129.00|711540/1027/23Average16372.80023255943720040673True
3325.22
PrivateCleveland Institute of ArtOhioNo Conference Affiliation24263535111010101057471595|662.81|30790|33897|37300|010.00|90655372|3345.00|551595/1063/24Average0412.80055903190054335True
3425.90
PrivateUrsuline CollegeOhio26273634111010101033311580|662.82|30760|32900|38300|010.00|901135352|5733.50|671580/1053/24Average3442.8007065304540039636True
3526.00
PrivateAshland UniversityOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...45432127101010101036341470|612.96|261392|581066|44200|3310.00|901088407|5435.50|651470/980/22BelowAverage9392.800376816603770032862True
3626.83
PrivateUniversity of Mount UnionOhioOhio Athletic Conference34323836111010101021271540|642.85|29680|28889|37300|010.00|901294416|6528.50|721540/1027/23Average14352.8002174884060039925True
3728.50
PrivateHiram CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference40304139111010101032321525|642.84|29650|27838|35300|010.00|901141062|5734.50|661525/1017/23Average25342.8001235243770043367True
3830.23
PrivateMalone UniversityOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...37353937111010101037371539|642.86|29677|28873|36300|010.00|901083819|5437.50|631539/1026/23Average12412.80015653974040038864True
3930.50
PrivateAultman College of Nursing and Health SciencesOhioNo Conference Affiliation39384045111010101052501533|642.90|28667|28667|28300|010.00|90703988|3545.50|551533/1022/23Average002.8003580319000True
4033.21
PrivateBluffton UniversityOhioHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...42394242111010101043411500|632.91|27600|25781|33300|010.00|90960670|4841.50|591500/1000/23Average13402.800997973450042948True
4133.67
PrivateMount Carmel College of NursingOhioNo Conference Affiliation47444644111010101044441467|612.98|25533|22716|30300|010.00|90780168|3942.50|581467/978/22BelowAverage0342.8009271573190023136True
4233.80
PrivateTiffin UniversityOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...49472438111010101048471433|603.02|251230|51870|36300|010.00|90735092|3745.00|551433/955/21BelowAverage1542.800301610843190034405True
4335.07
PrivateOhio Christian UniversityOhioNo Conference Affiliation56532540111010101047471295|543.15|211198|50810|34300|010.00|90739840|3745.00|551295/863/19BelowAverage0442.80037383203190033218True
4435.38
PrivateWilmington CollegeOhioOhio Athletic Conference45424543111010101041441470|612.96|26540|23738|31300|010.00|901034428|5242.50|581470/980/22BelowAverage10462.800120003690042412True
4535.60
PrivateOhio Dominican UniversityOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...43404341111010101038411495|622.93|27590|25804|33300|010.00|901076954|5441.50|591495/997/22Average17512.80018658424280043008True
4636.00
PublicWright State UniversityOhioHorizon League30555555111010101017291565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|010.00|901321124|6631.50|691565/1043/23Unknown0562.8001268241604640029910False
4636.00
PrivateFranklin UniversityOhioNo Conference Affiliation30555555111010101034391565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|010.00|901135241|5740.00|601565/1043/23Unknown0792.80046761056417000False
4636.00
PublicYoungstown State UniversityOhioMissouri Valley Conference / H...30555555111010101018301565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|010.00|901318802|6632.00|681565/1043/23Unknown0602.8001126712364220021994False
4937.40
PrivateArt Academy of CincinnatiOhioNo Conference Affiliation43414349111010101049521495|622.95|26590|25590|25300|010.00|90725208|3649.00|511495/997/22Average0562.80020183190036876True
5037.99
PrivateLake Erie CollegeOhioGreat Lakes Intercollegiate At...50464847111010101051541425|593.02|25450|19641|27300|010.00|90706008|3550.50|501425/950/21BelowAverage9422.8009382173190041676True
5139.00
PrivateGood Samaritan College of Nursing and Health ScienceOhioNo Conference Affiliation55525353111010101052551367|573.09|23333|14333|14300|010.00|90703988|3551.50|491367/911/21BelowAverage002.8003530319000True
5239.40
PrivateCincinnati Christian UniversityOhioKentucky Intercollegiate Ath Conf48454746111010101046521454|613.00|25508|21653|27300|010.00|90759272|3849.00|511454/969/22BelowAverage0572.8006172183190028360True
5339.46
PrivateMuskingum UniversityOhioOhio Athletic Conference52485048111010101050551380|583.05|24360|15597|25300|010.00|90724096|3651.50|491380/920/21BelowAverage21452.80017243503190037154True
5440.18
PrivateCollege of Mount St JosephOhioHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...53505150111010101029411375|573.07|23350|15586|24300|010.00|901180069|5941.50|591375/917/21BelowAverage9402.80016575623820037560True
5540.22
PrivateDefiance CollegeOhioHeartland Collegiate Athletic ...51494952111010101055571390|583.06|24380|16568|24300|010.00|90699960|3555.00|451390/927/21BelowAverage4482.800824963190043188True
5643.80
PrivateNotre Dame CollegeOhioMountain East Conference54515251111010101039511367|573.08|23334|14582|24300|010.00|901037089|5247.50|531367/911/21BelowAverage6532.80020552263920039926True
5746.00
PublicCentral State UniversityOhioIndependent Great Lakes Region57545454111010101028441230|513.20|2060|3332|14300|010.00|901199822|6042.50|581230/820/18BelowAverage16712.8001733183770025946True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Ohio?

1. Case Western Reserve University

2. Ohio State University

3. Miami University-Oxford

4. Oberlin College

5. Kenyon College

6. Ohio University

7. University of Cincinnati

2016 Top 10 Ohio University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Ohio 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
11.33PrivateCase Western Reserve UniversityOhioPresidents' Athletic Conferenc...112211112074/1383/31Excellent50213.25426491158605840059634
22.50PublicOhio State UniversityOhioBig Ten Conference541122731893/1262/28Good26193.0078544741135814930042285
34.00PrivateOberlin CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference224466632071/1381/31Excellent15123.2502961174170064396
44.83PublicMiami University-OxfordOhioMid American Conference773345421844/1230/28Good17183.10261581328074970045527
55.50PrivateKenyon CollegeOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference338766552026/1351/30Excellent14133.250166204580062160
66.17PublicOhio UniversityOhioMid American Conference1086634881610/1073/24Average16332.80552357156464380033822
76.50PrivateDenison UniversityOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference459966991909/1272/29Good18203.100227804590058700
86.67PublicUniversity of CincinnatiOhioAmerican Athletic Conference8105566251675/1117/25AboveAverage23382.95024300110135470043008
96.83PrivateUniversity of DaytonOhioPioneer Football League / Atla...997853371670/1113/25AboveAverage27252.9588852928145210051320
107.33PrivateThe College of WoosterOhioNorth Coast Athletic Conference6610106610101852/1234/28Good19253.100204903800055500