<p>The new U.S. News rankings are up on the web. Northeastern moved up 17 spots!!! Congrats to the administration on a job well done!!</p>
<p>What is interesting is that the stats used to tabulate the ranking are from the class that entered NEU in 2005. This year, Northeastern had the highest stats ever in terms of admissions, financial resources, and research (research funding nearly doubled) so you may see another big jump in the rankings next year. I the last five years, Northeastern has moved up 52 spots in the rankings.</p>
<p>While Northeastern did move up 17 spots in the rankings this year and 52 spots since 2001, it should still be ranked significantly higher. Here’s why:</p>
<p>The U.S. News methodology is flawed because it assumes that all colleges are following a traditional academic curriculum (i.e. comparing apples to apples). But Northeastern does things quite differently. It is one of only a handful of schools to have a fully integrated co-op program (i.e. it is an orange). For example, the way the current methodology works, the rankings make it appear as if Northeastern has a higher than average student/faculty ratio. But this is only because U.S. News assumes that all NEU students are on campus taking classes at the same time. This is far from the case; nearly half of the upper-class students are off campus interning at companies (unlike most schools, Northeastern upper-class students follow rotations where they alternate semesters of academics with semester long internships related to their major). Anyone who knows Northeastern knows that class sizes are actually on the small side. The amount of money spent per student and faculty resources rank also seem low in comparison to other schools in the top 60, but again this is only because U.S. News assumes that all students are on campus at the same time using resources. Students who are on co-op should be excluded because they do not pay tuition while they’re interning. Northeastern really has more money to spend on the students who are on campus taking classes. Again, anyone who has visited Northeastern recently knows that the school has plenty of money. All the facilities are new and the professors, administrators, etc. are earning top dollar. </p>
<p>Another flaw in the U.S. News rankings methodology is the use of a six year graduation retention rate. Again, U.S. News assumes that all schools are following a traditional four year academic model. But again, Northeastern does things differently. A very large number of NEU students choose the five year co-op program (a four year program is available but for some reason it is less popular). Northeastern also offers a six year PharmD program. Obviously, Northeastern's graduation stats would be significantly higher if U.S. News factored this into the rankings, but they don't.</p>
<p>Still, even with its nontraditional curriculum, Northeastern has been climbing in the rankings. This is primarily because the university has made significant gains in selectivity and research expenditures. Northeastern should continue to rise as it becomes more nationally known. This year, the university received 6500 EA apps out of a total of 27,100 apps which is a new record. The university is also in the process of hiring 100 new star faculty. The new faculty will significantly lower the university's student/faculty ratio (this should make up for the shortfall in the rankings).</p>
<p>As a side note, the university administration has been lobbying U.S. News to make some changes to their rankings methodology so that it takes into account the university’s nontraditional academic curriculum. Rumor has it that U.S. News will be making some changes to their methodology next year to account for recent changes in the Carnegie Classifications (the data that U.S. News currently uses to tabulate the ranking is now several years old). The changes should be result in a boost for Northeastern since research spending has nearly doubled since the classification.</p>
<p>Maximus,
We've been following Northeastern posts because my d. is interested. Personal question: Are you affiliated w/ NE in any way? Your posts are very informative, but also appear to be advertising. It would just help to know if the source is a very delighted alumni, current student, or PR person for NE ;-)
Sorry if I've missed that in your past posts.</p>
<p>I am just a delighted alum. Other than that, I have no other affliation to Northeastern. Nor do I have any experience in marketing (never even took a marketing class). But hey, perhaps I am missing my true calling. Anyway, I'm glad to hear that you find my posts to be informative. What Northeastern program is your d interested in?</p>
<p>Northeastern has a very strong architecture school. The director of the school is a Harvard GSD grad who is well connected in the business and academic community. The university is pouring lots of money into the program (new design studios and adding more top professors). The co-ops are also some of the best in the university (top architecture firms). If it helps, the architecture school was recently ranked in the top 25 in terms of research (same as Cornell):</p>
<p>Northeastern is at #80 for 2009-10 - up an amazing 70 spots since 2001. I would also credit the architecture program though, admittedly (adjunct instructor in the department), I’m a bit biased…</p>