U.S. News College Rankings are the gold standard when it comes to comparing the merits of various colleges and universities. Last year, the University of Denver jumped an astounding 17 spots to number 80, an amazing move up the treasured ‘Top 100’. Denver fell back in the 2022 Best Universities category to #93, tied with Stony Brook University, University of Buffalo, University of California-Merced, University of Deleware and University of San Diego. While many people may argue that college rankings are arbitrary, parents and students use published rankings to determine the value of their educational investment and as a ‘tie-breaker’ in college selection.
The U.S. News follows a ranking methodology that uses 17 measures of academic quality to determine a final ranking. Denver finished in the top 100 for Best Colleges for Veterans (#53) and Best Value Schools (#63) but was dinged for Best Undergraduate Engineering (#162) and Top Performers on Social Mobility (#275). U.S. News & World Report ranked the Daniels College of Business 84th on the list of Best Undergraduate Business Programs, up 13 spots from last year.
Forbes was less generous in their recently released rankings which put Denver at #165. Denver was seen as the 86th best private college and the 40th best University in the west. The Princeton Review’s 2022 college edition, The Best 387 Colleges, offers a very positive picture of DU. Only about 14% of America’s 2,700 four-year colleges are profiled in the Best Colleges book which is one of Princeton Review’s most popular publications. The Princeton Review list does not rank schools overall and focuses on student feedback on academics, campus life and student body, all of which positively profiles the University of Denver.
In the state of Colorado, U.S. News placed Colorado School of Mines (#83) and CU finished 99th. Colorado College was ranked #26 among the National Liberal Arts Colleges.
Disappointing to not see forward momentum, but other schools are raising their game…
Countdown to DU trying to sweep the ratings drop under the rug, by bragging about how they have the most diverse class ever. Really kind of a shame, as I thought there was some upward trajectory with the big jump last year. Remember, too, that this list is just national universities, and doesn’t include a ton of great schools that are smaller and more liberal arts focused. DU needs to get its act together here, but I’ve been thinking that for like 20 years. If memory serves, the highest we’ve been is upper 60’s. And now, after a total campus transformation (which is beautiful, by the way), we sit in the mid 90’s, “bragging” about being in the top 100. I guess this is too tough of a nut for multiple DU administrations to crack.
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Colorado schools are not getting a lot of love in the rankings, though I’m sure CC did well in the liberal arts rankings.