Student-friendly ranking alternatives

By William Patrick Leonard. Parents and students assessing tertiary institution options undertake a significant challenge. When their consideration includes foreign institutions, the process becomes significantly more challenging. A foreign degree may lead to life-changing opportunities and often drastically higher expenses.
These searchers may rely on the personal experience of family members and friends, augmented by institutional reputation assessments offered by the major ranking systems: QS, Shanghai Jiao Tong and Times Higher Education. Those considering US institutions are also likely to consult US News’ Best Colleges.
Family and friends consultation, which is based on trust, is second only to first-hand experience. The responders’ familiarity with the unique characteristics of both the prospective student and the institution(s) under consideration may be helpful in isolating the best fit. More...