<p>Can someone answer why Vanderbilt is ranked so high in the national rankings, but ranked so low in the world rankings??? For consideration, it is ranked 17th by US News and ranked 167th by QS World University rankings.</p>
<p>Different data entered = different results. For those who care about world ranking most go by the AWRU and Vandy is #50. I have my own ranking system. I start with the top 20 USNWR and the top 50 AWRU to come up with the elite 15 academic universities in the USA. Then I add “BALANCE” to the process. I add:
*schools with a princeton review “quality of life” score of 98-99, AND
*elite athletic conference entertainment for students, AND
*offer greek life, AND
*offer merit scholarships, AND
*offer a base city in a moderate climate with tons of fun things for students to do when they have free time.<br>
In this ranking system Vanderbilt is ranked #1.
You should come up with your own ranking system. You deterimine what data should be entered and see which school is ranked #1 for you.</p>
<p>I agree with bud’s initial statement that rankings are all about the criteria involved. In order to establish credibility with the general public, these rankings include criteria that will ensure the lists always have Ivies generously included in their top ranks. Beyond that, they are simply looking for eyeballs for their advertisers. They rarely are concerned with any objectivity or present any new information. There are numerous threads on CC that effectively demolish rankings.</p>
<p>I laughed with bud’s “BALANCE” as tongue-in-cheek sarcasm pointing to how absurd and arbitrary the criteria are for rankings. Perhaps he should add: school’s nickname sounds like “candy”; has a mascot honoring historical figure; etc.</p>
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<p>So…Vanderbilt is only a top school if you place less weight on academics.</p>
<p>Named after robber baron: worth 21.5%. :-)</p>