<p>I realize this is my 3rd thread in the AU forum in 2 days, but I’m interested…</p>
<p>Anyways, why is AU ranked so low (85th, tied with Auburn–which is also AU haha)? I mean it has great profs and a great location…so why? Is it because of the competition in DC (GWU, Georgetown)? Does USNews just hate AU (kidding)? Anyone know why…?</p>
<p>I believe it is because AU is such one-sided in terms on academic strength, meaning while it has very competetive polisci/social science programs (and I've heard good things about communication program), other programs are not quite up to that level. Plus AU's relatively weak endowment and other factors that count in in ranking (besides academics) may be bringing AU down.</p>
<p>Endowment issues are huge with the U.S. News. AU has recently been growing its endowment at a fast pace and that's why it jumped from 92nd to 85th recently. Almost everyone agrees taht AU is an underranked school.</p>
<p>Could it also have to do with AU's low retention rate? Why is it so low, by the way?</p>
<p>Yeah, that's always been weird. Someone else said they had a conversation with a counselor who gave some explanation. Yeah... Maybe someone should ask again?</p>
<p>I think its becuase of AU's past. Up until the past few years (i want to say something like 10?) AU used to be a HUGE party school. But in the past few years, things have really turned around. AU is able to retain the some of the best profs and most studious students in the country. I think that one should point out that AU's ranking has climbed over the years, and it is important to point out that it continues to be on the rise, where as other schools seem to either be falling or staying in the same place.</p>
<p>What were AU's former rankings? How much have they "climbed?" Above it says they jumped from 92 to 85 this year. What were their former rankings?</p>
<p>i'm not sure. All i can say is the Tavern, which now sells chicken fingers and pizza, used to be one of DC's biggest provider of alcoholic beverages, that is before it become a dry campus. So if your SCHOOL had one of the craziest places to drink, imagin what the academics were like.</p>
<p>In terms of education, as some have said earlier, AU excels in the communication/political science field. Essentially, AU is a fantastic school for students who plan to utilize the resources that Washington D.C. has to offer. And again, you cant really take rankings that seriously until you consider the specific concerns of the individual into consideration: If you're interested in pursing a major within either of the two aforementioned fields, AU would make for an excellent choice.</p>
<p>They have a low retention rate because only certain types of people fit in. You have to be very liberal, and be willing to deal with the location. Also, it is used as a "safety" school a lot, making students "tier-two" type. I've had friends transfer out because they felt the kids in their classes were not intelligent. I do have friends who go there and love it. It depends on your philosophy.</p>
<p>I think too much emphasis is spent by US News on percentage of full-time faculty and AU has a very low percentage because a lot of their faculty are part-time speakers who are involved in government. So you're getting experts teaching you, but because they're not teachers, the rankings suffer.</p>
<p>Good point, ElCartero.</p>
<p>Don't forget the emphasis on endowment. Sadly that emphasis leads schools like Harvard to charge many students $40K a year when they could pay every students' tuition with just the interest they make on their endowment. You would think you USNews would find some way not to reward a school for that.</p>