"Millersville University and Franklin & Marshall College slipped slightly in U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking, but school officials said the results aren't entirely reflective of the positive things happening on campuses.
In the report, which was released today online, Millersville University ranked 58th among U.S. colleges in the north that offer a broad range of undergraduate and master's degree programs. Last year the school ranked 45th.
Among the nation's liberal-arts schools F&M ranked 42nd, slipping from the 40th spot last year.
Elizabethtown College remains ranked at No. 5 among the northern region's top baccalaureate colleges." Well, all these financial shenanigans, and micromanaging students is working out nicely for F&M. While Millersville's spokesman is pleased with the ranking(?). The reason they both fell, while E-town remained the same? Could it be quality of education? You know, the part folks are actually buying when they pay for higher education?
Whirlwind
Assuming we decided there was any reason to rank schools, and that the methodology was sound, where is the statistical analysis to show us that there is ANY difference between being #40 and #42?!? Am I going to choose CalTech over MIT because one is #1, and the other #2?! No- I'm going to look at the school size, strength in planned major, overall school offerings, and whether you want "fun in the sun" or rowing on the Charles... Full disclosure- my alma is one of the schools that refuses to participate in the rankings "arms race" (but hey, it was good enough for Steve Jobs to drop out of!).
