The Relationship between University Ranks and Outcomes Measurement

This paper examines the relationship between university ranks and outcome measurements. Many students select the university that they will attend based on these rankings In this paper the rankings conducted by two studies are examined. U.S. News and World Report rankings are based upon measures of the quality of input, retention while in school and other measures. A new group of rankings are based on the output performance of universities. Jalbert, Rao and Jalbert (2002) rank schools based on the extent to which the school places its graduates in top CEO positions and the salary that they receive when in these positions. In an optimal world, input rankings should correspond with output rankings. This paper examines the extent to which these rankings track each other and the sensitivity of rankings to changes in methodology utilized