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Does college rankings matter?

I remembered back in high school, rankings was a big thing to me. I would constantly check usnews and other websites to see where a certain school ranked before applying to it. However, now that I'm in a college that is averagely ranked, I am wondering if ranking of a college really does matter? #college #career-counseling #college-admissions #counseling #college-selection #college-advice #student-counseling #high-school-students

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Ken’s Answer

Hi Esther!


You asked a good question. The answer is the rankings do not matter, and it really does not matter where you go to college. What matters is how well you prepare yourself for an appropriate career area and how well you do networking to position yourself in that career area.
Thank you comment icon Thank you for your answer, and I will be sure to keep you informed. Esther
Thank you comment icon You are welcome! Looking forward to following your progress! Ken Simmons
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Marjorie A.’s Answer

Hello Esther,


Hope all is well at college. My professional background is 30 years as a high school counselor and 11 years as an educational consultant (college/career planning). I've never allowed college rankings to dictate or skew my recommendations to students. First of all, not all colleges voluntarily participate in the various rankings you, as a consumer, view in publications. My husband used to always buy me a copy of the US News annual edition, of which I would graciously thank him, but didn't use it as an exclusive resource for my counselees, which I tried to encourage them not to do.


I encourage high school and post secondary students to focus on the accreditation of the college for general admission, and the department's accreditation, if they declare a major. A college education is very expensive and an investment that you want to be an asset in future endeavors. The accreditation, after an extensive evaluation, lets you know if the college meets qualifications with staffing, academic offerings, equipment/labs, success on proficiency exams, program quality, and other factors.


Actually, high schools go through the same process. As a high school counselor, I went through an accreditation evaluation twice where I worked. Colleges and high schools are measured by regional accreditation; for example, I live in Maryland and both in my state are in the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.


Many college majors are evaluated by accrediting agencies; for example, engineering. ABET is the accrediting agency for engineering.


As a parent, I advised my sons to pursue colleges with regional accreditation, and the engineering major son had to select a school with ABET accreditation.


Your goal is to get a good education and your expectation is that the college will provide resources to enable you to pass required proficiency exams (mandated by many professions) and be marketable for future endeavors. I've always considered college to be the key that opens the door. Afterwards, you're responsible for what happens next by making the most of all opportunities. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.


To learn more about college accreditation visit: https://ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/accreditation_pg7.html#NationalInstitutional
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_accreditation
http://www.50states.com/college-resources/accreditation.htm


Hope this helps and good luck in college and future endeavors!!
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