<p>Forbes has just released it's 2011 college rankings. Middlebury ranks #40 on the list:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/%5B/url%5D">http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/</a></p>
<p>At least the list co-mingles LAC’s and research universities, an acknowledgement that LAC’s are in many cases as good or better than top universities. As with any ranking system, there will be flaws, however, and #40 seems a bit off (that said, I’m not sure Penn was even ranked).</p>
<p>ahead of Columbia (#42), Georgetown (#47), Cornell (#51), and UPenn (#52) (sweet!), but (alas!) behind Union (#29), Holy Cross (#27) and Centre (#34) (boo!). </p>
<p>Makes sense.</p>
<p>Penn ranks #52</p>
<p>Sounds about right (just kidding… I’d put Penn in the top 18 or so).</p>
<p>This is another ridiculous ranking. They put way too much emphasis on monetary earnings after graduation. Notice, how the California schools are so highly ranked? It’s because salaries (and cost of living) are so high out there. With so many many graduates pursuing work in the public sector and in charitable organizations or NPOs, Middlebury loses in that aspect of the ranking. I think the fact that they’re ranked in the top 40 is astounding considering the methodology.</p>
<p>This list uses ratemyprofessor.com for 17.5% of the ranking. It shouldn’t be taken seriously at all.</p>
<p>To be fair, I don’t think US News’ “reputation” (22.5%) and selectivity (15%) should not be the biggest weights for a college either. Reputation needs to be justified each year, and it’s just measured elitism instead of value. Middlebury ought to agree with that.</p>
<p>Forbes has a skewed viewpoint on higher education: Getting money and power back from one’s investment. I was happy to see they valued postgraduate academic scholarships at the very least, but it does penalize nonprofits and community service. Power and wealth are sometimes side effects of a good education, but not the ultimate purpose of college. Of course, their viewpoint is financial, so one must remember to interpret it that way.</p>
<p>Fine if fewer kids apply because of a “low” ranking-give some of the “true believers” a better chance.</p>
<p>^OldbatesieDoc</p>
<p>Nice perspective. Money isn’t everything. It is unfortunate we can’t find a way to measure the outcome of attending college against each student’s aspirations coming in.</p>
<p>The Forbes rankings seem absurd.</p>
<p>I think Columbia was listed about #40.</p>
<p>Here! Here!!! Obd!!!</p>