The rapidly changing landscape in higher education is the theme of this year’s Top Colleges. For the sixth year, FORBES has partnered exclusively with the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity (CCAP). What sets our calculation of 650 colleges and universities apart from other rankings is our firm belief in “output” over “input.” We’re not all that interested in what gets a student into college, like our peers who focus heavily on selectivity metrics such as high school class rank and SAT scores. Our sights are set directly on ROI: What are students getting out of college.
We look at factors that directly concern today’s incoming students (and their families) who will be be footing a bill which has multiplied into the six figures: Will my classes be interesting? Is it likely I will graduate in four years? Will I incur a ton of debt getting my degree? And once I get out of school, will I get a good job and be a leader in my chosen profession? We pointedly ignore any metrics that would encourage schools to engage in wasteful spending.