The Consus Group: Composite College and University Rankings (2008)

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Harvard University

Princeton University

Stanford University

Columbia University

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

Yale University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Brown University

University of California–Berkeley

University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA)

University of Pennsylvania

Dartmouth College

Rice University

Duke University

Swarthmore College

Amherst College

University of California–San Diego (UCSD)

Williams College

Georgetown University

Cornell University

Northwestern University

Pomona College

United States Naval Academy

University of California–Santa Barbara (UCSB)

University of California–Santa Cruz (UCSC)

University of California–Davis (UCD)

Harvey Mudd College

Haverford College

United States Military Academy (West Point)

University of Notre Dame

Johns Hopkins University

Washington University in St. Louis

University of Virginia

Middlebury College

Bowdoin College

Claremont McKenna College

Washington & Lee University

Davidson College

United States Air Force Academy

Tufts University

Barnard College

College of William and Mary

Wesleyan University

Carnegie Mellon University

University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill

Colgate University

Wellesley College

University of Chicago

Vassar College

New York University (NYU)

Colby College

Carleton College

Emory University

University of Southern California (USC)

Grinnell College

Case Western Reserve University

Brandeis University

Cooper Union

Wake Forest University

Boston College

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Vanderbilt University

Pepperdine University

Bryn Mawr College

Macalester College

Source: The Consus Group

Methodology:

The Consus Group uses the following methodology to compile its annual college rankings:

• Published Rankings: Published Rankings reflect current and historical ratings by numerous sources, including: U.S. News, Gourman Report, etc. An institution’s aggregate published ranking comprises 50% of its overall score.
• Selectivity: Selectivity measures the quality of schools’ admitted candidates. Selectivity is based on the percent of applicants admitted, SAT scores, and the percent of admitted applicants in the top 10% of their high school classes. An institution’s composite selectivity comprises 45% of its overall score.
• Yield: Yield reflects the percentage of admitted candidates that matriculate to the admitting university. An institution’s yield comprises 5% of its overall score.

While many university rankings fluctuate wildly from year to year, TCG’s comprehensive methodology produces a stable, accurate picture of America’s best colleges and universities.