Rankled by Rankings

Rankled by Rankings - By Aisha Labi January 31, 2010 The Chronicle of Higher Education

Criticism of global university rankings prompts major changes and new players

International university rankings have become a major force in higher education over the past decade. Institutions now highlight their standing in their advertising campaigns. Students turn to the lists for ideas on where to apply. Some governments have even invested more in higher education when their universities' rankings don't satisfy expectations.

Yet it's hard to find anyone who believes that the assessments themselves are sufficiently substantive.