From the celeb with the most Twitter followers to blog posts with the most Diggs, the internet has fast become a place to rank and list the best in just about everything. However long before the days of the web, students and their families were in search of the best colleges and universities via statistics on student population, acceptance rates, grade point average, etc. And now there is an entirely new way to rank them: online. But this isn’t another of those articles where the best in schools of higher learning are listed.
This is where the sites that rank the schools themselves are put to the test. So without further ado, check out the below top 25 sites to get statistics on colleges and universities. Whether you’re looking for the best bang for your buck or best party to go with all that studying, they have information, statistics, and even rankings for all to enjoy.
Top Ranking Sites to Get Statistics on Colleges and Universities
Get the best of the best by checking out these sites for college rankings and many other vital statistics.
- U.S. News
One of the originals is still the best. With over 25 years of analyzing and reporting on colleges and universities, this publication keeps track of all sorts of schools in addition to ranking them. Along with choices for items such as best liberal arts college and up and coming schools, you can also get profiles on over 1,400 colleges and universities. There are also several blogs to choose from such as Inside the College Rankings and the Student Loan Ranger. - Forbes
As with the tradition of the magazine, there is nothing cute or jazzy about these college rankings. It is strictly a listing beyond the top 500 of colleges in the U.S. for the current school year. However, those who wish to know the total student population and cost of one year of tuition in one visit will appreciate it. Those interested in statistics on any school that appears on the list can click on it to get information such as student to faculty ratio, graduation rates, financial aid data, and even admissions and athletic data. - The Princeton Review
Another well-known ranking entity, they survey students as well as
others in education to come up with their list. A highlight of the site is being able to choose from rankings by subject such as demographics, town life, schools by type, politics, and others. Clicking under Academics/Administration alone shows you which schools have earned extra credit and which need improvement. However, a subscription is required to view a lot of the material. - Newsweek
This leading publication has also become a go-to service for college rankings. They strive to address the needs of both parents and prospective students. Lists of rankings often include specialized schools such as the most desirable of the smaller universities and best colleges for the service minded. There are also guides for getting into school, along with how to pay for it. - WSJ College Rankings
See your college or university as a business professional does on this site. Unique rankings, such as the top schools as chosen by recruiters, really show you the real world applications of statistics. Many educational and business experts also stop in to write about how they rank schools and hire students. - College Prowler
Parents will love the academic rankings. Students will enjoy the rankings of attractiveness of their fellow students. Everything in between is also answered on this site that automatically guesses the schools in your area and lists the grades they got. You can also get statistics and information on campus housing, diversity, athletics, and many others. - Academic Ranking of World Universities
If international university rankings are what you are interested in, click here. In addition to ranking schools in the United States, they also take on colleges across the globe. You can get more information on the top 500 universities in general, or search by best school in math, sciences, engineering, and others. - College Guide
This site, blog, and ranking system are provided by Washington Monthly. Specialty items such as dropout factories and fastest degrees are often taken on and examined thoroughly. You can also get traditional rankings such as best master’s, baccalaureate, and community colleges.
Top Sites to Get Statistics on Colleges and Universities
If statistics are what you are most interested in, check out the below sites.
- College Navigator
This site is powered by the U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences. Scroll by Surveys and Programs to get assessments, data systems, postsecondary information, and other resources. You can also click on Fast Facts and many others to get loads of statistics on everything the department has made public. They also have annual reports for the viewing. - College Stats
The left column of this site gives the option to show colleges by specialty such as historically black or Jewish. You can also search by size, age, cost, demographic, and other categories. There are even statistics for online colleges. You can also view the latest stories on items such as financial aid and ACT statistics. - College Board
See how your own stats stack up against other college students at
this site. Students stop by to find colleges based on campus life, majors, careers, and other factors. Current popular matches include journalism, swimming, and the availability of studying abroad. - My Chances
Want to know what your chances are of being accepted into a school without all the applications, essays, and fees involved? There’s a site for that. My Chances claims that it can predict with 90 percent accuracy whether or not a student will get into a school. However, those who just want statistics can stop here to look up their school of choice, click on it, and get loads of information. - Facts and Figures
The Chronicle of Higher Education is the publication many academics turn to for news. In this section, they offer loads of facts and figures pertaining to higher education. A few recent include professor salaries, how doctoral programs stack up, and an examination of undergraduate students. - National Center for Higher Education Management Systems
The left-hand navigation of the state contains links to state and county level measures. There is data on race/ethnicity, policy, maps, and special analysis. Graphs, such as the one on college graduation rates, tell a straight forward story. Click on the Using This Website option to learn more on how to use the NCHEMS Information Center. - Campus Grotto
This is a national college news publication that covers a wide range of college-related topics, including student finance, study tips, college admission, rankings, career advice, and college life. They have traditional rankings and unique ones, such as most expensive dorms and best employers, as well as the more traditional. Scroll down to get College Guides, which are available in admissions, degree type, paying for college, textbooks, and study tips. - Students Review
Finally, if you want information as compiled exclusively by students, stop here. Over 100,000 reviews of schools from across the globe are featured. There are loads of articles, charts, and other statistical data to keep you busy. They also review majors and literally offer thousands of tips on getting in.
Top Sites to Get Specialty Statistics on Colleges and Universities
Focus on a particular statistic or aspect of school on these sites.
- Student Aid
Because financial aid is a part of just about every enrollment into a college or university, stop here. The FAFSA 4caster alone can tell you what your financial aid outcome is without the hassle of having to fill out and turn in the form itself. There are also tools and resources that can tell you much more about the financial aid process. - Best Values in Public Colleges
With rising tuition costs always on the horizon, the bottom line for college is something every student and parent is concerned about. Use this guide from Kiplinger to compare the top 100 values in public colleges and universities. Statistics include admission rates, total cost, graduation rate, and others. - VOX
Get research analysis and commentary from leading economists at this
site. With a section for just about everything, there are also options for those looking for education statistics. Current popular articles include graduation rates, real world returns from higher education, and income inequality. There are also loads of other topics to choose from. - The Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
But is the college or university you are interested in accredited? That is the sole question taken on by the database provided by the U.S. Department of Education. Simply type in the name of your school to see which agency it is accredited by. You can also search by accrediting agency or state. - PhDs.org
Get statistics purely on graduate school here. They offer a rankings and search of schools at both the master’s and doctorate level. There is also a job search and other career resources. - B-Schools
Interested in information on an MBA or other business degree? Then check out this page by the experts at Bloomberg. It contains all sorts of statistics and rankings of schools for their future and present readers. Be sure not to miss the Business School Tools which include a comparator, calendar, and forums. - Community College Week
If interested in attending a local community or junior college, check out this site. It is an online publication dedicated to community, technical, and vocational schools across the country. They also have a top 100 list and other information. - Association of American Medical Colleges
Get the facts and statistics surrounding medical school with a visit here. The AAMC tables comprise the most comprehensive and objective data on U.S. medical school applicants, enrollment, graduates, applicants, and MD-PhD students available to the public free of charge. Check out the newest tables with a view or search for older ones. - American Bar Association
They conduct the BAR exam and provide many other services to future lawyers, including statistics on a legal education. Choices include average expenses, law school tuition, and J.D. enrollment, in addition to many others. The main site also has tons of other legal resources.
Although the above top 25 sites to get statistics on colleges and universities are useful, they are not the only means a student or family should use to select a school. By choosing which statistics and factors are important to you, you can create a list of schools to apply to, send applications for some or all of them, and see which you are accepted into before making a final decision.