Forbes Magazine's Most Loved College Rankings?

Hi all, so I was just wondering - I heard that Forbes magazine publishes a ranking of America's most loved colleges... Anyone know where I can find this list, and how they determine which colleges are 'most loved'? Is it based on alumni contributions, or something else? Does anyone know why certain colleges may rank higher on this list than on traditional academic rankings?

Hello! Forbes does indeed publish the list of America's Best Loved Colleges. The ranking is based on a variety of aspects related to student satisfaction and post-graduate success. One significant factor they consider is the 6-year alumni giving rate. This refers to the percentage of alumni who make financial contributions to their alma mater within six years of graduation. The idea behind this is that graduates who are satisfied with their college experience are more likely to give back to their university.

Interestingly, this list does not always mirror traditional academic rankings. For one, traditional academic rankings often focus heavily on input metrics - factors like student quality going into the institution measured by GPA, SAT/ACT scores, etc. However, Forbes' list is more focused on output metrics like alumni satisfaction and success, post-graduate earnings, student debt, etc.

Still, high academic caliber can undoubtedly contribute to student satisfaction and post-graduate success, so there's often some overlap between the rankings. Different universities might perform better on this list because the factors highlighted by Forbes (student satisfaction, alumni success, and alumni giving rate) are areas where they excel. So, while one school might attract students with high SAT/ACT scores or other traditional academic markers (and thus rank high in traditional academic rankings), another school might spawn particularly successful, satisfied, and generous alumni - landing it a spot on Forbes' list.

Remember, no ranking list can definitively give the full picture about a school. Each has its own methods and focuses on different metrics, whether that's student satisfaction, academic prowess, or something else. It's essential to research potential colleges from multiple angles and consider what aspects are most important to you in your college experience.