Cal State University: How to Compare Rankings?

I've been researching California State Universities for their engineering programs. I'm trying to understand their rankings better. How do I find reliable ranking info and, more importantly, how can I compare these rankings effectively?

There are several widely recognized resources available for comparing university rankings, each with its own set of criteria and methods for evaluation. These include resources like U.S. News & World Report, Times Higher Education, and QS World University Rankings. These resources rank schools on a variety of criteria, including research output, faculty qualifications, student acceptance rates, faculty-to-student ratios, and more.

However, simply looking at a university’s overall ranking may not be the most effective way to compare institutions. Here are a few tips on how to approach this:

1. Specificity: Seek out resources that rank by individual programs, not just the university as a whole. The engineering programs at each university might rank differently from the overall university ranking.

2. Factors Affecting Rankings: Understand what factors and statistics the rankings are based on. Some might prioritize student satisfaction while others might value research output more. Make sure you care about the factors being considered.

3. Comparative Analysis: Compare factors across different universities to check for any significant gaps in areas you care about. For example, one university might be ranked higher overall, but another might have smaller class sizes, which could be important if you prefer a more intimate learning experience.

4. Holistic View: Rankings are just a part of the picture. Consider the university's social scene, campus culture, intern opportunities etc., which are often not considered in rankings but might be important to you.

Finally, consider reaching out to people who have been through these programs via LinkedIn or college networking events. Real-life experiences can sometimes provide insights that published rankings can't.