What College Rankings Are Missing
Inscribed upon the exterior of Harvard Yard’s Dexter Gate are the words, “Enter to grow in wisdom,” while the gate’s interior admonishes those leaving: “Depart to serve better thy country and thy kind.”
Such aspirations are evident in the mission statements of many colleges and universities across the country. The mission of Harvard College is “to educate the citizens and citizen-leaders for our society.” Swarthmore College describes part of its mission as “provid[ing]... a transformative liberal arts education... and empower[ing] all who share in our community to flourish and contribute to a better world.” The University of Wisconsin-Madison aspires towards “creating a welcoming, empowered, and inclusive community; and preparing current and future generations to live satisfying, useful, and ethical lives.”
These are beautiful aspirations, which our institutions of higher learning are right to strive for. Nonetheless, our evaluations and rankings of colleges and universities frequently neglect these matters.