Given that Bradley University has roughly 5,000 students, these young adults must have had some reason that drew them to choose the mid-sized, midwestern school. In the last month, Bradley has communicated some of those reasons as two well-known college ranking systems, the US News and World Reports and Wallstreet Journal, listed Bradley among the top schools nationwide.
According to U.S News and World Reports Best Colleges Rankings 2021, Bradley University is a top 10 university in the Midwest. The Wallstreet Journal lists Bradley as the top private institution in Illinois. Dividing categories of rankings down further, Bradley finds itself ranked in additional classifications that can be found on the University’s site.
Titles make a school’s reputation look strong; however, how rankings are determined offers insight into the university’s culture, community, and resources. When differing categories of research are added together, an overall ranking is determined.
The data used to analyze schools comes from various sources according to US News, which also released a guide to how they completed their college ranking. Graduation and Retention Rates (22%), Undergraduate Academic Performance (20%), Facility Resources (20%), Selectivity (7%), Financial Resources (10%), Graduation Performances (8%), Alumni giving (3%), Social Mobility (5%), and Indebtedness (5%) are all considered.
Graduation and retention rates look at graduation numbers overall and compare with enrollment numbers. Facility Resources at 20%, take into account class size, teacher to student ratio, facility pay, and facility expertise.
“Bradley’s mid-sized atmosphere and class numbers were a huge factor for me when picking a school. I felt like I would be seen as a student here rather than just another number,” said Senior Veronica Scarpelli on Bradley’s 15:1 student-teacher ratio
“There were so many schools that seemed the same based on just numbers alone,” recalled Junior Hannah Hospodar, which is why 20% of the ranking is consistent with peer assessments from students and representatives giving feedback on Undergraduate Academic Performances.
Similarly, the Wall Street Journal scores come from many of the same categories and sources, 40% from student outcomes, 30% from academic resources, 20% on student engagement, and 10% on the learning environment.
One difference is that this ranking considers student engagement according to their classification guide. US News does not consider student engagement.
Whether looking at the Wallstreet Journal or US News, the factors that go into ranking are descriptions of what the Bradley experience is. They consider our classes and school resources, but also our community and culture.
No matter the reason, Bradley students found something to bring them to the university, and these rankings remind them and their peers why they decided to become Brave. Not only that, these rankings are a celebration of all staff, administrators, and students, recognition of all the factors that make the Bradley community what it is.