@UWfromCA : Not sure why, but it may be due in part to the “predicted” versus “actual” graduation rate. UW gets a minus (-4) four, (88% predicted v. 84% actual).
Some universities ranked above UW benefit greatly from this category. For example, both the University of Georgia & the University of Florida get a plus (+8) eight as their predicted graduation rates were 78% & 82% respectively. Florida has an outstanding 90% six year graduation rate.
But, I am baffled how Syracuse University, Florida State, Pepperdine, and a few others rank higher than UW. Maybe it has something to do with class size & student/faculty ratio ?
UW is a serious campus with very strong job placement & outstanding R&D activity–especially that which is funded by the federal government.
I suspect that UW does little to nothing in an effort to please US News or to “game the system”.