Newswise — The rankings might change in the wake of protest, but they aren't likely to go away.
Don Hossler, professor of educational leadership and policy studies in the Indiana University School of Education, said the verdict is out on whether a big change will happen after 24 presidents at mostly smaller liberal-arts college signed a letter critical of U.S. News & World Report's annual college rankings.
"I think a big litmus test will be if some large public flagships sign onto it," Hossler said.
* Background: U.S. News & World Report publishes a special college guide each year based on the data. In May, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported its own analysis of data from the last 24 years revealed some institutions—particularly private colleges and universities—seem to have an advantage in earning a high ranking. Compared to other less scientific surveys, Hossler said, the U.S. News listings are the best publicly available data. He noted the Princeton Review allows any online reviewer to enter comments about particular aspects of an institution, and however many comments are received are the comments offered. Several years ago, another college survey ranked the IUB campus highly for a program it never offered.
"Of the various entities out there that try to do rankings, U.S. News does the most credible job," Hossler said.
Hossler said if larger institutions stop participating in the survey, it will spur more negative media attention on the rankings. If several reports indicate problems with the rankings through "easily understandable criticisms," Hossler said, the survey might be in some danger.
"The rankings only have power as long as people attach a lot of credibility to them," he said. Despite the criticism, Hossler said, college rankings will likely always be around, in part because of American desire to know "who is number one."
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