Does college ranking really matter for admissions?

I'm trying to figure out how much weight I should put on college ranking when deciding where to apply. Do employers actually care about the rankings of the schools, or is it more about my actual degree and experience?

The importance of college rankings can depend on a variety of factors, including your industry of interest, geographical location, and personal career goals. Some hiring managers might place a high importance on a degree from a top-ranked institution, particularly in certain industries like finance or consulting, while others might focus more on the candidate's skills, experiences, and fit for the role.

However, it's also worth mentioning that college ranking shouldn't be the only factor you consider when deciding where to apply. It's crucial to make sure a school is a good fit in terms of your career goals, academic interests, social life, and financial considerations. For instance, you might want to consider whether a school offers strong programs in your desired major, whether it provides opportunities for internships and other experiential learning in your field of interest, and whether it has a supportive alumni network.

Moreover, rankings can sometimes be misleading as they weigh different factors differently. Some might heavily emphasize factors like faculty research output, which might not directly impact your undergraduate experience.

In terms of employability, apart from the overall school ranking, you'd be better off considering your department's strength (Such as school of engineering or school of business, etc), and the strong connections or partnerships it has with local or global organizations. This could potentially offer more internship or job opportunities.

In conclusion, while ranking may factor into your college decision process somewhat, it's more critical to consider whether the school meets your individual needs and career aspirations. It ultimately comes down to the fact that the quality of your college experience depends largely on how you take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to you, regardless of school ranking.