Method­ol­o­gy: College Consensus Rankings

College Consensus provides a comprehensive and reliable resource for students and families seeking information about colleges and universities. Our rankings are based on a unique aggregation method that combines both publisher and student perspectives to create a holistic view of each institution’s quality and reputation. In this methodology, we’ll outline how College Consensus rankings work and explain the differences between Publisher Consensus, Student Consensus, and College Consensus.

Publisher Consensus

The Publisher Consensus component of College Consensus rankings aggregates data from the most respected college ranking publishers and experts in the field of higher education. We compile rankings from sources such as U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, The Princeton Review, and others. These rankings are weighted based on their credibility, methodology, and relevance to ensure a comprehensive representation of each institution’s academic excellence, student satisfaction, and overall reputation.

Student Consensus

The Student Consensus aspect of College Consensus rankings incorporates feedback and reviews from current and former students of each college or university. We collect data from various student review platforms, surveys, and social media channels to gauge student sentiment regarding factors such as campus life, quality of education, extracurricular opportunities, and career outcomes. By including the student perspective, we provide valuable insights into the student experience at each institution.

College Consensus

In most cases, College Consensus rankings are based on the combination of both the Publisher Consensus and Student Consensus components. We combine the weighted publisher rankings with the student reviews to generate a single, comprehensive score for each college or university. This College Consensus score reflects the overall consensus among both academic experts and the student community, offering a balanced and nuanced assessment of each institution’s strengths and weaknesses. In cases where a significant number of verified student reviews are unavailable, the Publisher Consensus will stand as the Consensus Score.

Key Differentiators

1. Holistic Approach: Unlike traditional rankings that rely solely on expert opinions or statistical data, College Consensus rankings take into account both publisher rankings and student reviews, providing a more holistic view of each institution.
2. Transparency: We are transparent about our methodology, sources, and data weighting, allowing users to understand how rankings are calculated and make informed decisions.
3. Dynamic and Updated: College Consensus rankings are regularly updated to reflect changes in publisher rankings, student feedback, and other relevant factors, ensuring accuracy and relevance.