Margo Gray

Then, in the fall of 2022, U.S. News released its latest annual rankings. Columbia had plummeted from number two to number 18, the lowest ranking of any Ivy League school, and its worst position since first appearing on the list in 1988. Thaddeus wasn't happy about his school being embarrassed, but he did welcome the increased scrutiny of the rankings process.

Then, in the fall of 2022, U.S. News released its latest annual rankings. Columbia had plummeted from number two to number 18, the lowest ranking of any Ivy League school, and its worst position since first appearing on the list in 1988. Thaddeus wasn't happy about his school being embarrassed, but he did welcome the increased scrutiny of the rankings process.

Then, in the fall of 2022, U.S. News released its latest annual rankings. Columbia had plummeted from number two to number 18, the lowest ranking of any Ivy League school, and its worst position since first appearing on the list in 1988. Thaddeus wasn't happy about his school being embarrassed, but he did welcome the increased scrutiny of the rankings process.

Columbia's sharp drop highlighted just how easily the rankings could be manipulated. As Thaddeus told the New York Times, if any institution can drop from number two to number 18 in a single year, it just discredits the entire ranking system.

Columbia's sharp drop highlighted just how easily the rankings could be manipulated. As Thaddeus told the New York Times, if any institution can drop from number two to number 18 in a single year, it just discredits the entire ranking system.

Columbia's sharp drop highlighted just how easily the rankings could be manipulated. As Thaddeus told the New York Times, if any institution can drop from number two to number 18 in a single year, it just discredits the entire ranking system.

But if the rankings are so flawed and more people are recognizing those flaws, why do they stick around? Thaddeus believes one reason is that they help prospective students feel more confident about their decisions.

But if the rankings are so flawed and more people are recognizing those flaws, why do they stick around? Thaddeus believes one reason is that they help prospective students feel more confident about their decisions.

But if the rankings are so flawed and more people are recognizing those flaws, why do they stick around? Thaddeus believes one reason is that they help prospective students feel more confident about their decisions.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, Thaddeus thinks the rankings persist because of what they offer to individual college applicants, students, and graduates.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, Thaddeus thinks the rankings persist because of what they offer to individual college applicants, students, and graduates.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, Thaddeus thinks the rankings persist because of what they offer to individual college applicants, students, and graduates.

In June 2023, about a year and a half after Thaddeus published his explosive findings, Columbia University announced that it would no longer participate in the US News and World Report college rankings, making it the first Ivy League institution to opt out. While U.S. News would still rank Columbia, it would now have to source data from elsewhere.

In June 2023, about a year and a half after Thaddeus published his explosive findings, Columbia University announced that it would no longer participate in the US News and World Report college rankings, making it the first Ivy League institution to opt out. While U.S. News would still rank Columbia, it would now have to source data from elsewhere.

In June 2023, about a year and a half after Thaddeus published his explosive findings, Columbia University announced that it would no longer participate in the US News and World Report college rankings, making it the first Ivy League institution to opt out. While U.S. News would still rank Columbia, it would now have to source data from elsewhere.

In its statement, Columbia explained, "...synthesizing data into a single U.S. News submission for its best college rankings does not adequately account for all of the factors that make our undergraduate programs exceptional." This decision raised concerns for U.S. News. Losing the cooperation of prestigious schools threatened to undermine its credibility and influence.

In its statement, Columbia explained, "...synthesizing data into a single U.S. News submission for its best college rankings does not adequately account for all of the factors that make our undergraduate programs exceptional." This decision raised concerns for U.S. News. Losing the cooperation of prestigious schools threatened to undermine its credibility and influence.

In its statement, Columbia explained, "...synthesizing data into a single U.S. News submission for its best college rankings does not adequately account for all of the factors that make our undergraduate programs exceptional." This decision raised concerns for U.S. News. Losing the cooperation of prestigious schools threatened to undermine its credibility and influence.

But in the end, fears of a mass exodus never materialized. Elite institutions continued to participate, allowing the rankings to remain a dominant force in college admissions.

But in the end, fears of a mass exodus never materialized. Elite institutions continued to participate, allowing the rankings to remain a dominant force in college admissions.