University of Chicago v. University of Pennsylvania (CAS)

College Search & Lists
14

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<p>The THE and QS rankings are RARELY, IF EVER, cited in the US as authoritative rankings of US graduate programs in specific fields. In fact, I’ve yet to see it. But if you have any links to the contrary, please share them.</p>

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<p>If we use the NRC classification of “humanities,” the only “humanity” ranked by US News is English, in which Penn is ranked at #4, and Chicago is ranked at #8:</p>

<p><a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/english-rankings?int=990708”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/english-rankings?int=990708&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But even if we include History as a humanity (although it’s often now classified as a social science), then US News currently ranks Chicago at #4 and Penn at #9:</p>

<p><a href=“http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/history-rankings?int=990708”>http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-humanities-schools/history-rankings?int=990708&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Given that these numbers vary slightly each time these rankings are issued, I’d call that a functional tie in the humanities.</p>

<p>So given the NRC rankings (both 1990s and 2010) and US News rankings, and given that the THE and QS rankings of specific departments are essentially irrelevant to US academics and grad school applicants, it’s clear that Chicago is not “better” than Penn in the “humanities,” as that is generally defined and perceived among academics in the US.</p>

<p>But I think we’ve beaten this poor dead horse enough. ;)</p>