Anyone have insight regarding the Political Science department at Rutgers? Specifically, why is it ranked so poorly in the Niche rankings (#167) when the University as a whole is much higher? I know I should take those rankings with a grain of salt but I would still love some reassurance!
Look at the methodology ? Is it even real ?
Rutgers is a solid school - even in poli sci. Look at the curriculum. Some offer interesting sub areas.
Thereâs lots of faculty, resources, etc.
Youâd be hard pressed to find a school that isnât âdecentâ in polo sci. Yeah some have more resources than other.
But I wouldnât hesitate a minute to attend Rutgers.
Btw US News for grad says #48. Look at the methodology. Doesnât mean much.
Rutgers, btw, offers a Summer in DC which might interest you. Looks like a fine opportunity to gain experience - and a job on the resume is far more important than the name of the school on your diploma.
Curious - why Rutgers vs others ?
Good luck.
Poli Sci for what purpose? Law school? Politics? General interest?
But to answer your question, yes, Rutgers is solid in Polo Sci and many other disciplines.
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I wouldnât get to wrapped up in rankings to begin with, but if it helps, there are a couple things to realize about Niche.
First, it includes both what US News calls Universities, and what US News calls Liberal Arts Colleges. A lot of LACs have excellent undergrad Poli Sci programs. So if you are used to just looking at the US News National University rankings, or perhaps grad program rankings, all those LAC programs are going to spread out the universities more than you are used to.
Second, Poli Sci does have some quasi-specialty schools. So, like George Washington or American are below Rutgers in the generic US News National University rankings, but above it in the Niche rankings. But that doesnât mean Rutgers is bad for Poli Sci, it just means those colleges are particularly good for it.
In general, all this is illustrating common problems with rankings. Which entities are you ranking? For what purpose?
And the whole idea of rankings implies an artificial scarcity. Mathematically, there can only be 50 colleges in the T50, 100 in the T100, and so on. But what if there are in fact 200 good Poli Sci schools? What if there are even more than that? The fact that mathematically they canât all be ranked in the T50 or T100 does not in fact mean they canât all be good in actual substance.
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Thanks all! I had the sense that I could basically ignore the ranking but it was still in the back of my mind. Good to hear some other perspectives.
Thanks! I actually am puzzled by the methodology, particularly for the specific department rankings. FYI Iâm the parent but helping my son build his list. âWhy Rutgersâ is easy - we are in state so itâs our local school. We are looking at other schools as well of course.
Just know - if easy = cost, depending on stats, thereâs lots of schools throwing merit at kids, including some that will be cheaper.
No issue with Rutgers.
Whatâs his ultimate goal - or doesnât have one yet?
Unsure of ultimate goal⊠maybe law school, maybe Political work.
Thanks for the reply!
Yes, we are definitely looking at some SLACs that could potentially be much cheaper, but Rutgers is definitely a possibility. Ultimate goal is probably law school, but possibly work in a political field.
No issue in either case - and Iâd say that about other NJ publics too, especially law school.
LACs may come in low cost but depending on stats, so may other state flagships if you had interest.
Good luck
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