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The Impact of U.S. News & World Report College Rankings on Admissions Outcomes and Pricing Policies at Selective Private Institutions

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Monks, James; Ehrenberg, Ronald G.
Abstract
Despite the widespread popularity of the U.S. News & World Report College rankings there has been no empirical analysis of the impact of these rankings on applications, admissions, and enrollment decisions, as well as on institutions' pricing policies. Our analyses indicate that a less favorable rank leads an institution to accept a greater percentage of its applicants, a smaller percentage of its admitted applicants matriculate, and the resulting entering class is of lower quality, as measured by its average SAT scores. While tuition levels are not responsive to less favorable rankings, institutions offer less visible price discounts in the form of slightly lower levels of expected self-help (loans and employment opportunities) and significantly more generous levels of grant aid. These decreases in net tuition are an attempt to attract additional students from their declining applicant pool.
Date Issued
1989-07-01Subject
U.S. News & World Report; higher education; rankings; admissions; tuition
Related DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1080/00091389909604232Rights
Required Publisher Statement: © University of Chicago Press. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Later version published as: Monks, J. & Ehrenberg, R. G. (1999). U.S. News & World Report’s college rankings: Why do they matter? Change, 31(6), 42-51.
Type
unassigned