<p>Best: Cal, closely by UMich, then small gap, UCLA, then gap, UVA/UNC
Worst: More than you need to know, try University of Arkansas</p>
<p>In Maryland:
Best: Maryland
Worst: Coppin State, Frostburg State</p>
<p>In DC:
Best: UDC
Worst: UDC</p>
<p>
[quote]
^^Why do you say Clemson for worst? I thought Clemson was a fairly good school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Just from my perception, it tries to seem better than it is, attempting to insinuate itself among stronger schools. Just my opinion.</p>
<p>Binghamton is totally overrated. It has good economics and business but thats it.</p>
<p>Worst state schools: how about FAU, or Texas Southwestern or any extremely obscure southern commuter school. That is, unless you want flagships.</p>
<p>Best: UMich, UVA, Cal, UNC, UCLA</p>
<p>Best - The obvious UNC, UCs, etc.
Worst - University of West Alabama</p>
<p>Worst: Concord</p>
<p>1 of only 2 public schools whose a 25th percentile scored under 300 on each SAT segment.
Located in rural Appalachia
Few majors offered
No diversity in student body (92% white)
Limited financial aid (95% on financial aid but 80% with student loans for $13K COA)
38% graduation rate</p>
<p>Best in Illinois:</p>
<ul>
<li>University of Illinois- Urbana/Champaign</li>
<li>University of Illinois - Chicago</li>
</ul>
<p>Worst in Illinois:
Northern Illinois University</p>
<p>I think this would work out better if the question was what is the worst FLAGSHIP state university (so you can't count Oakland University or UW-Stout)</p>
<p>WVU is supposed to be pretty much one big anti-intellectual party house.</p>
<p>Best is UC Berkeley. Other great ones are UVA,UNC,William and Mary,UT Austin,UCLA
Worst flagship: not sure, I know LSU isnt too good, same with Kansas. </p>
<p>How does UMass Amherst stack up? I'm applying there as a safety but I'm not sure how it rates compared to other state schools.</p>
<p>Best: UVA, William and Mary, UNC, Berk, UCLA
Worst: Norfolk state! </p>
<p>NO SCHOOL IS WORSE THEN NORFOLK STATE!</p>
<p>Florida-
Best is U of Florida, with Florida State close on it's heals
Worst is FAMU (Florida A and M)- the school has an average SAT score less than 1,000 and is in danger of losing accreditation.</p>
<p>Monstar- I agree w/you. I believe though LSU is pretty good though...</p>
<p>Georgia - Best is Georgia Tech, followed by University of Georgia</p>
<p>Worst is uh, Georgia Perimeter College?</p>
<p>Best publics are clearly Berkeley and UCLA. Next "tier" would probably be UVA, UNC, UMich, next tier would be like UIllinois, Texas</p>
<p>Cali- </p>
<p>Best-UCB, UCLA</p>
<p>Worst- Hard to say because there are soo many CSU's. I believe Chico and San Diego State both have single digit 4 year graduation rates.</p>
<p>BEST (in alphabetical order):
University of California-Berkeley
University of California-Los Angeles
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
University of Virginia</p>
<p>HONORABLE MENTION:
College of William and Mary
University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
University of Texas-Austin
University of Wisconsin-Madison</p>
<p>WORST:
I cannot think of many state schools that deserve such a lable.</p>
<p>Well, you can get into the University of Montana if you graduate in the top half of your class, score a 440 on the math section of the SAT and get a score of 7 on the SAT writing section.</p>
<p>That doesn't mean Montana is a horrible school, of course. It does mean that some of the students there do not boast a particularly sterling academic resume.</p>
<p>UMass is the best state school in Mass, but it's not good whatsoever.</p>
<p>No way Clemson and ASU deserve to be on the worst list.</p>
<p>Best: Michigan. Here's my reasoning. Among the Big Three, Berkeley's better for grad school (law and MBA excepted), and UVA is better for undergrad. Michigan, however, provides the best balance among the three.</p>
<p>Worst: I don't believe in a "worst" state school. Even the regional state campus with open admissions and completely lacking in rankings or CC "prestige" may fulfill a very important role for its state and our nation. One of the great things about public higher education in this nation has been its role as an engine for social mobility. That's why I really appreciate those highly ranked, selective state flagships that are able to achieve high quality while balancing a high degree of socio-economic diversity on their campuses.</p>
<p>So if I were to narrow "worst" state school down along these parameters, I'd look for a state flagship (or close approximate) school that combined mid-level to low rankings with little socio-economic diversity among its student body and little contribution to its state or our nation in terms of important research. Anyone have any thoughts as to which school might fit that profile?</p>