<p>I understand that Maryland is moving up the rankings, and it used to be known as a party school, but why is its ranking so low? Right now, UMD is tied with Clemson and Syracuse. Not that they're inferior institutions, but based on SAT scores, UMD blows them out of the water. UMD's SAT scores are comparable to UNC-Chapel Hill and NYU, which are ranked in the low 30s. UMD's scores are also comparable to UCLA and UC Berkeley which are in the low 20s. </p>
<p>I think that the rankings are inaccurate and misleading, which is a shame because many students/parents actually make a big deal out of the rankings.</p>
<p>University of Maryland’s enrolled SAT scores are a bit lower than either NYU or UNC Chapel Hill’s. The admitted scores are comparable, but many at the top end of the admitted pool choose to go elsewhere. </p>
<p>Additionally, the USNWR rankings are not based on location or quality of life. It so happens that many top schools are located in nice places to live (eg, suburban/ urban areas with a low crime rate and a number of ammenities), although plenty are not. RPI, a school higher ranked than UMD is located in the blighted city of Troy, NY and USC is located in a pretty bad section of LA. </p>
<p>Maryland is hurt by the somewhat high percent of classes with more than 50 students, the relatively low per person endowment, and a few other factors. </p>
<p>As has been stated numerous times, the USNWR’s rankings are often very flawed and may be biased towards private universities, reward spending money rather than efficiently using economies of scale, as well as a number of other factors. It also doesn’t measure what happens inside the classroom, only factors which may affect the educational experience. It’s foolish to say that UT Austin is exactly ten colleges better than the University of Maryland which is forty two colleges worse than Emory. </p>
<p>I don’t know why College Park gets such a bad rap. The Route 1 corridor is far from attractive, but I’ve seen lots uglier. Outside of the Route 1 corridor, College Park is actually kind of nice. Most of College Park comprises nice, pleasant, middle-income, older neighborhoods.</p>
<p>In terms of safety, etc., there are many, far worse places to go to college. College Park isn’t mini-Detroit or even mini-Baltimore. College Park has comparatively low rates of crime, especially compared to the rest of Maryland:</p>
<p>College Park is no great shakes, but is far from a “whatever-hole,” and with the coming development, the Route 1 corridor is slated for significant improvement.</p>
<p>I kinda see why you’d say that about USC. But what’s funny is that the corridor on Figueroa from USC to downtown is really nice. My D runs it all the time. In addition the area north of campus is classic college houses and apartments. Yes it’s rough as you move south. But the campus is really safe…and has a great safety record. So is it in an urban area? Yes. Do you need to be smart about where you go off campus? Yes. Is it manageable and safe? Yes.</p>