Is there a better system for college rankings?

Jonathan Rothwell, fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings, tells us what’s missing in conventional college ranking systems like that of U.S. News & World Report. And using President Obama’s new college score card, Rothwell talks about his new value added approach to rankings.

“I don’t actually think we need more college ranking systems. I think we need better ranking systems,” argues Rothwell. The “problems with U.S. News and some of the conventional rankings,” he continues, include “way too much emphasis on selectivity. Non-selective schools have no chance to ever make it towards the top of the rankings. And as a result there are a lot of hidden gems out there … that are providing great outcomes for [their] students.”

Also in this podcast: In our Coffee Break segment, meet a scholar who grew up in Vancouver, visiting fellow Alar Olljum. And stay tuned for part three of our Paris climate conference series as Senior Fellow Adele Morris discusses the role of carbon pricing in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Show Notes:

• Using earnings data to rank colleges: A value-added approach updated with College Scorecard data
• Toward an economic mobility ranking of U.S. colleges 
• Understanding the College Scorecard
• Skills, success, and why your choice of college matters
• Is it me or my college? These rankings will help you find out
• Alumni from these colleges (almost) always pay their debts
• In ‘value-added’ college rankings, these public schools step up

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