How We Rank Colleges
DeepColleges uses a four-dimension Decision Score framework. Unlike traditional rankings that rely on reputation surveys, every component is calculated from verifiable federal data.
Decision Score Components
1. Overall Fit Score (0–100)
Measures academic quality and student success. Factors include:
- Acceptance rate (selectivity)
- 6-year graduation rate
- SAT/ACT score ranges
- Student-to-faculty ratio
2. ROI Score (0–100)
Measures whether graduates earn enough to justify the cost. Factors include:
- Median earnings at 10 years post-enrollment
- Net cost by family income bracket
- Percentage of students receiving financial aid
- Loan default rates
3. Transfer Score (0–100)
Measures accessibility for transfer students:
- Transfer-in acceptance rate vs. freshman acceptance rate
- Number of transfer students enrolled
- Feeder school patterns
4. AP Weight (0–100)
Measures how much the school values AP coursework:
- CDS-reported importance of AP/IB scores in admissions
- AP credit policies
- Rigor of secondary school record weight
Data Sources
| Source | Data | Update Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| College Scorecard | Admissions, cost, earnings | Annual |
| IPEDS | Enrollment, transfers, programs | Annual |
| Common Data Set | Admission factor weights | Annual (per school) |
Limitations
No ranking system is perfect. Our methodology does not account for campus culture, location preferences, specific program quality within departments, or extracurricular opportunities. We encourage students to use our data as one input — not the only input — in their college decision.