Reflections on Rankings

Einstein once admonished that we measure what we can count easily, but often fail to measure what really counts. This is a central problem of social science, and rankings are susceptible to this methodological weakness.

Rankings are a modestly important and highly imperfect reflection of quality: modestly important because we use rankings as a shorthand proxy for value, and highly imperfect, as many ranking systems and publications apply seemingly arbitrary weights and inadequate survey methodologies.

In sum, we should look at rankings through a thoughtful analytical perspective to avoid two alternative negative tendencies. We should not allow rankings to define who we are or what we value, and we should not pretend that they do not matter at all.

Accordingly, we should have a balanced, transparent, and thoughtful approach to value-driven metrics for the College. Here we list all of our rankings and advise readers to examine the methodologies that we hyperlink below. We will then urge you to study the methodology and draw your own conclusions on the strength of the methodology and the alignment of what’s measured with what’s most important to you.

Current Rankings

#11

National Liberal Arts Colleges (2024)
U.S. News & World Report
Methodology

#1

Top Colleges by Size in the Western U.S. (2023)
Wall Street Journal
Methodology

#2

Value and Earning Potential in Liberal Arts Colleges (2024)
DegreeChoices
Methodology

#6

Top 20 Best Career Placement (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#9

Top 20 Best Value Colleges w/o Aid (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#11

Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Private Schools)(2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#1

Most Politically Active Students (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#4

Friendliest Students (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#4

Best Athletic Facilities (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#4

Best Career Services (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#1

Most Politically Active Students (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#4

Most Active Student Government (2023)
Princeton Review
Methodology

#9

College Pulse U.S. Ranking (2023)
WSJ/College Pulse 2024 Best Colleges
Methodology

#10

Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup, NCAA Division III (2022-23)
National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) (2022)
Methodology

#4

Top US Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
IDEAS
Methodology

#3

Best Liberal Arts Colleges in America (2024)
NICHE
Methodology

#7

Top 25 Best Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
College Raptor Liberal Arts College
Methodology

#12

Top Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology

#3

Earnings Performance (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology

#5

Social Mobility (2023)
Washington Monthly
Methodology

#14

College Salary Report (2021-22)
Payscale
Methodology

#2

Best National Liberal Arts Colleges (2023)
College Consensus
Methodology

#2

Best Colleges & Universities in the West (2023)
College Consensus
Methodology

#73