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<p>The idea may have some merit–but what concerns me are two things. </p>
<p>One, the implication that a ranking on “objective” data is somehow objective. As we’ve discussed ad nauseum, the inclusion of, measurement criteria for, and weighting of these variables is also subjective, and that needs to be recognized. </p>
<p>Two, the absence of any measurement of that elusive “reputation” factor–A university or college may be greater (or lesser!) than the sum of its parts, and while that’s hard to capture I think it’s worth trying. It doesn’t have to be a peer ranking, or a peer ranking in its current form–but some kind of measure of how a school is “thought of” ought to be available. This may be more important for schools fewer people have heard of, than for the ones at the top…but that’s another issue and I’m digressing.</p>
<p>Rather than what you’ve proposed, I would prefer to see is a system where students could see how schools rank on each of the criteria. In other words, what you’re proposing for PA I would like to see for all the measures. I think Washington Monthly does this is their ranking.</p>