A G A K H A N E D U C A T I O N B O A R D U S A 2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Imam's Guidance

Composite Ranking

Next Steps

Frequent Questions

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING INTRODUCTION

Several organizations publish college every year. This practice

produces separate standards and perhaps differing interpretations of where

a quality education can be attained. The Aga Khan Education Board for USA

has developed a Composite Ranking that brings several different ranking

systems into a single view to identify the leading 300 public and private

national universities, national liberal arts colleges, military academies and

other leading institutions of higher learning.

The Composite Ranking can be a powerful resource for you to begin

identifying a list of target schools. This report aims to suggest options that

you may not have considered, inspire interest in more selective institutions

and, overall, assist you in building a broad selection of choices for your

college education.

IMAM'S GUIDANCE

On several occasions, Mawlana Hazar Imam has conveyed his perspectives

on the role and purpose of education. The below speech excerpt illuminates

the importance of an education of the highest possible quality:

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING IMAM'S GUIDANCE (CONT.)

"...there is no better investment that individuals, parents and the nation

can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality.

Such investments are reflected, and endure, in the formation of the kind of

social conscience that our world so desperately needs.”

-His Highness the Aga Khan, Osh, Kyrgyzstan (2002)

What does 'education of the highest possible quality' , and how can

this shape our decisions as an individual or family?

How can we use this guidance to inform our school choice at all levels?

How can 'highest possible quality' apply to students with different levels

of academic performance and needs?

How might we shift our perspective to refer to education as an

'investment', rather than a cost?

What else can we take from this guidance?

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING COMPOSITE RANKING (1-100)

Here is the 2021 Composite Ranking of the 1-100 leading colleges in the U.S.:

COLLEGES (1 TO 50) COLLEGES (51 TO 100) Use the Composite Ranking to 1 Harvard University 51 University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 52 Case Western Reserve University inspire your interest in more 3 Stanford University 52 Davidson College selective options 4 Yale University 54 Boston College 5 Princeton University 54 University of Rochester 6 California Institute of Technology 56 Bates College 6 University of Pennsylvania 57 Purdue University Ensure an optimal mix of reach, 8 Duke University 58 College of William and Mary match and safety schools 8 Brown University 58 United States Naval Academy 10 Cornell University 60 Colby College 11 Columbia University 60 Hamilton College 11 Johns Hopkins University 62 University of Florida Avoid eliminating schools from 13 Dartmouth College 62 Wake Forest University your list too early in the 13 Northwestern University 64 University of Texas - Austin 15 University of Chicago 65 University of Miami process due to affordability 16 Pomona College 65 University of Washington - Seattle 16 Rice University 67 University of Richmond concerns; a majority of top- 18 Vanderbilt University 67 University of Wisconsin - Madison ranking colleges offer generous 19 Washington University in St. Louis 69 Vassar College 20 University of Notre Dame 70 Lehigh University aid for families whose annual 21 Williams College 70 Scripps College 22 Carnegie Mellon University 70 University of Maryland - College Park income is less than $125,000 22 University of California - Berkeley 73 Lafayette College 24 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 74 Northeastern University 25 University of California - Los Angeles 74 Pitzer College Note that rankings of individual 25 University of Southern California 76 Grinnell College 27 Amherst College 76 Tulane University programs at a college may 27 Georgetown University 78 George Washington University differ from overall rank shown 29 Bowdoin College 79 Macalester College 30 Harvey Mudd College 79 Smith College 31 Swarthmore College 81 Kenyon College 32 New York University 81 Villanova University Ultimately choosing a college 33 Tufts University 83 University of California - Santa Barbara should be based on an 34 United States Military Academy 83 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 34 Claremont McKenna College 85 Bucknell University understanding of what that 36 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 85 Mount Holyoke College 36 University of Virginia 87 Bryn Mawr College school offers you, how it will 38 Carleton College 88 Texas A&M University - College Station support your educational 38 Georgia Institute of Technology 88 University of California - Irvine 40 Wellesley College 90 Michigan State University journey and how you will 41 Haverford College 90 Penn State University - University Park 41 Middlebury College 92 Santa Clara University maximize your learning 43 University of California - Davis 93 University of Georgia 43 University of California - San Diego 94 College of the Holy Cross 43 Emory University 94 Southern Methodist University View your education as an 43 Washington and Lee University 96 North Carolina State University 47 Boston University 97 Colorado School of Mines investment of your time and 48 Wesleyan University 97 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities resources that will benefit you, 49 Barnard College 99 Ohio State University 49 Colgate University 100 Worcester Polytechnic Institute your family and the Jamat

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING COMPOSITE RANKING (101-200)

Here is the 2021 Composite Ranking of the leading 101-200 colleges in the U.S.: COLLEGES (101 TO 150) COLLEGES (151 TO 200) 101 Whitman College 152 University of Iowa Use the Composite Ranking to 101 Florida State University 153 Bentley University inspire your interest in more 101 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 153 Trinity University 104 Brigham Young University - Provo 155 Virginia Military Institute selective options 104 Franklin and Marshall College 155 Arizona State University 106 Oberlin College 157 SUNY - Binghamton 106 Reed College 157 University of Tulsa Ensure an optimal mix of reach, 106 Brandeis University 157 Fordham University 109 University of Pittsburgh 160 University of Colorado - Boulder match and safety schools 109 Yeshiva University 160 Elon University 109 Colorado College 162 Iowa State University 112 Skidmore College 162 Texas Christian University Avoid eliminating schools from 113 Trinity College 164 Sewanee - University of the South 113 Occidental College 165 Michigan Technological University your list too early in the 115 Indiana University - Bloomington 166 University of San Francisco 115 University of Connecticut 166 University of Oklahoma process due to affordability 117 Babson College 168 University of Central Florida concerns; a majority of top- 118 Dickinson College 169 University of South Carolina 119 Gettysburg College 169 Rochester Institute of Technology ranking colleges offer generous 120 University of Illinois - Chicago 171 Seattle University 121 St. Olaf College 172 University of Dayton aid for families whose annual 122 Union College 173 Auburn University income is less than $125,000 123 Connecticut College 173 Drake University 124 University of South Florida 173 Sarah Lawrence College 125 University of Denver 176 Kalamazoo College 126 SUNY - Buffalo 176 Marquette University Note that rankings of individual 127 DePauw University 178 University of Vermont programs at a college may 128 Wheaton College (IL) 179 University of Cincinnati 128 Rutgers University - New Brunswick 180 Gustavus Adolphus College differ from overall rank shown 130 SUNY - Stony Brook 181 St. Lawrence University 130 Illinois Institute of Technology 182 University of Missouri - Columbia 130 Syracuse University 182 Lawrence University Ultimately choosing a college 130 Loyola Marymount University 184 Kansas State University 134 Denison University 184 Chapman University should be based on an 134 Howard University 184 Hobart and William Smith Colleges 134 Furman University 187 George Mason University understanding of what that 137 Stevens Institute of Technology 188 Washington State University school offers you, how it will 137 Pepperdine University 189 College of Wooster 139 Rhodes College 189 Muhlenberg College support your educational 139 University of Delaware 191 Loyola University - Chicago 139 American University 191 San Diego State University journey and how you will 142 Saint Louis University 193 University of California - Santa Cruz maximize your learning 143 University of Utah 194 Willamette University 143 Drexel University 195 Lewis & Clark College 143 University of the Pacific 195 Miami University - Ohio 146 Clemson University 197 Temple University View your education as an 146 Rhode Island School of Design 197 University of Texas - Dallas investment of your time and 148 University of Massachusetts - Amherst 199 Wofford College 148 University of Arizona 199 University of Nebraska - Lincoln resources that will benefit you, 150 University of San Diego 150 Baylor University your family and the Jamat

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING COMPOSITE RANKING (201-300)

Here is the 2021 Composite Ranking of the leading 201-300 colleges in the U.S.: COLLEGES (201 TO 250) COLLEGES (251 TO 300) 201 University of Oregon 252 University of New Hampshire Use the Composite Ranking to 202 University of California - Riverside 253 Bard College inspire your interest in more 203 New Jersey Institute of Technology 253 College of St. Benedict 203 SUNY - Albany 255 Hope College selective options 203 University of Kansas 255 University of Colorado Denver 206 Catholic University of America 257 Seton Hall University 206 Creighton University 258 University of Alabama - Birmingham Ensure an optimal mix of reach, 208 Fairfield University 259 James Madison University 209 University of St. Thomas - Houston 259 St. Mary's College match and safety schools 210 Clarkson University 261 Augustana College 211 Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo 261 Bryant University 211 University of Mississippi 263 University of Scranton Avoid eliminating schools from 213 Wheaton College (Massachusetts) 264 Mercer University 214 Gonzaga University 265 Duquesne University your list too early in the 214 Missouri University of Science & Tech. 265 St. John's University (NY) 214 Oklahoma State University 267 University of Maryland - Baltimore County process due to affordability 217 Clark University 268 Saint Joseph's University concerns; a majority of top- 217 Mississippi State University 269 Biola University 219 College of New Jersey 269 Ohio University ranking colleges offer generous 219 Hendrix College 271 New School 221 Loyola University Maryland 271 University of Louisville aid for families whose annual 221 University of Portland 273 Calvin University income is less than $125,000 223 University of Houston 274 Marist College 224 Allegheny College 275 Quinnipiac University 224 Butler University 276 Cornell College 226 Texas Tech University 276 University of Kentucky Note that rankings of individual 227 Wabash College 278 Pace University programs at a college may 228 Florida International University 279 Bradley University 228 Samford University 280 Seattle Pacific University differ from overall rank shown 230 Hofstra University 281 University of Evansville 231 Oregon State University 282 San Jose State University 232 Centre College 282 University of Idaho Ultimately choosing a college 232 DePaul University 284 Siena College 234 Colorado State University 285 United States Air Force Academy should be based on an 234 University of Tennessee - Knoxville 286 Cooper Union 236 Adelphi University 287 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology understanding of what that 236 Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge 288 Spelman College school offers you, how it will 236 University of Arkansas 289 Berea College 236 University of Wyoming 290 United States Merchant Marine Academy support your educational 240 Southwestern University 291 University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa 241 CUNY - Bernard M. Baruch College 292 University of Puget Sound journey and how you will 241 Luther College 293 Hillsdale College maximize your learning 243 SUNY College of Environmental Science 294 Ohio Wesleyan University 244 Illinois Wesleyan University 295 Union University 244 Rutgers University - Newark 296 Earlham College 246 Ursinus College 297 Knox College View your education as an 247 Beloit College 297 St. Mary's College of Maryland investment of your time and 247 Providence College 299 St. John's College (Maryland) 247 Rollins College 300 Westmont College resources that will benefit you, 250 University of Hawaii - Manoa 250 Ithaca College your family and the Jamat

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING NEXT STEPS

The Composite Ranking can be one of several inputs as you begin to learn

about a school's mission, academic offerings, and commitment to students

and families. Here are a few next steps you might consider in your research:

Develop criteria to help identify and prioritize schools. Factors you might

consider include size of school, learning environment, geographic setting,

proximity to Jamat Khana, breadth and depth of course offerings in your

field of interest, extracurriculars and student life, and other dimensions;

understanding your needs and interests ensures you evaluate schools

objectively (the ideal time to narrow your list for "best fit" is after you

receive admissions decisions, so that you do not limit your options too

early). Example templates to determine your needs are available to

download (College Criteria Template 1 and College Criteria Template 2).

Ensure an optimal mix of reach, match and safety schools. You are

encouraged to balance the number of schools in each of these three

segments (see Frequent Questions for definitions of terms). Many public

resources are available to research and classify schools accordingly –

the school's website, student blogs, campus newspapers – as well as

third party sites such as Common Set, College Scorecard and

College Board.

If you have questions about the Composite Ranking, or on starting the college

planning process, please contact AKEB USA at [email protected]. 2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

How was the Composite Ranking developed? Our team arrived at the Composite Ranking of schools by reviewing the methods and results of the following reports: U.S. News and World Report (2021) - national universities and national liberal arts colleges, Forbes (2019), Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education (2021), Niche (2021), and QS World University (2021). The rank, or score, from the sources listed above was used to determine the 300 highest-ranked schools (giving equal weighting to each source). This approach helps to smooth out inconsistencies in individual rankings, and provides a balanced view. If you prefer individual rankings, you are encouraged to review the associated methodology, as each organization prioritizes metrics differently.

What are reach, match and safety schools? A reach school, or a school that is considered highly-selective, is one where your qualifications (GPA, standardized scores, course difficulty) are below those of the average accepted student. A match school is one where your qualifications (GPA, standardized scores, course difficulty) are at, or just above, those of the average accepted student; note that this is not a guaranteed acceptance, given application volumes, academic expectations, acceptance rates, etc. A safety school, or a school that is less selective, is one where your qualifications (GPA, standardized scores, course difficulty) are above those of the average accepted student. Consider just 2-3 safety schools, so more time can be devoted to match and reach options. You may also want to identify a wild-card option: a college that is high-ranked or extremely selective, but where you have great interest. Third party sites such as Common Data Set, College Scorecard and College Board can be useful in classifying schools and gathering data. 2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

Is a higher-ranked school a guarantee for success? The Composite Ranking presents the 300 highest-ranked schools, and helps to smooth out inconsistencies in individual rankings. Consider that rankings do represent a student's academic opportunities, career placement, satisfaction, return on investment, teaching quality, etc. That said, the rankings do not suggest that these schools guarantee success. It is up to the student and family to seek out opportunities for learning and growth in any environment, including in the college setting. This report is intended to help inspire your choices, and possibly guide you to schools that can offer a more meaningful and quality education. Also, note that there are instances where a college's overall ranking might be lower, but a specific major or degree within a pre-professional track at that college may have a stronger perception and outcome.

Why is this Composite Ranking important if I am planning to just attend college near my home? While location may be one factor in your decision, you are encouraged to evaluate schools based on all of your needs and interests; example templates to reflect on your needs are available to download (College Criteria Template 1 and College Criteria Template 2). The Composite Ranking is designed to broaden your awareness of different types of educational opportunities, so that you can attain an education of the highest possible quality. Ultimately choosing a college should be based on an understanding of what that school offers you, how it will support your educational journey and how you will maximize your learning. Additionally, we hope you view your education as an investment of time and resources that will benefit you, your family and the Jamat.

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What if the college I attend, or am considering to attend, is either ranked lower or does not appear in the Composite Ranking? Our Ismaili students attend hundreds of different American and international colleges and universities. We understand that there are a number of factors to consider when identifying, prioritizing and, ultimately, enrolling at a college of your choice. The aim of the Composite Ranking is to share with the Jamat a set of schools that have been recognized for their educational offerings, quality of professors, academic research, and a number of other factors that may signal what these schools have to offer you and your family. You are encouraged to identify and research schools that would be classified as reach, match and safety choices so that more selective schools are balanced by schools with a higher likelihood of acceptance. Those enrolled at a school appearing relatively lower, or not at all, in the Composite Ranking hopefully have chosen their institution of higher learning for what that school offers, how it supports the educational journey and how one will maximize the learning while enrolled there. Additionally, there are instances where a college's overall ranking might be lower, but a specific major or degree within a pre-professional track at that same college might have a stronger perception or outcome. All of these factors should be considered as part of your criteria for identifying and prioritizing schools.

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What if I cannot afford to enroll at a four-year college or university? The cost of attending college rises every year, and you can rely on a combination of personal savings, financial aid, scholarships, student loans and other sources of funding to help cover attendance costs. While the national student debt level is skyrocketing, and this should not be taken lightly, you might consider viewing your education as an investment, rather than a cost or expense; a shift in perspective can be valuable in how you perceive the role education might play in your future endeavors. As you begin developing a list of schools to consider, avoid eliminating schools from the list too early in the process due to affordability concerns; a majority of top-ranking colleges offer generous aid for families whose annual income falls below certain thresholds. Moreover, private or out-of-state schools are sometimes viewed as being too expensive, but several leading colleges have made strong declarations about their commitment to addressing financial need.

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What if I'm considering attending a community college, or lower-ranked college, and then transferring later? Many students pursue community college or junior college after high school for several reasons - understand why this is your chosen path: Is it due to cost? Is there a true inability to cover cost, or is this more to save in the short-term? Would FAFSA, scholarships or a school's financial assistance cover any gaps? Is there general acceptance by the family that one's education is viewed as an investment, rather than a cost or expense? Is it because you did not get accepted to the “right” school? Is it to “get core classes out of the way”? Is it to rebuild your academic strength/profile? Is it something else? Develop a transition plan If you determine that community or junior college is the path you must pursue, develop a plan for when (after Year 1 or Year 2) and how you will transition to a four-year college. Identify prospective four-year colleges where you plan to transfer after completing coursework at the community college. Understand what classes and GPA you need to transfer to the four- year college of your choice. Meet with an advisor at the community college to learn: What is the graduation rate at the community college? Where have students enrolled after community college? What does your course roadmap include? What classes might be accepted for transfer credit? What additional matters should you consider?

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING FREQUENT QUESTIONS

What should I do now? The Composite Ranking can be one of several inputs as you begin to learn about a school's mission, academic offerings, and commitment to students and families. Here are a few next steps you might consider in your research (see Page 8 for more details): Develop criteria to help identify and prioritize schools; understanding your needs and interests ensures you evaluate schools objectively (the ideal time to narrow your list for "best fit" is after you receive admissions decisions). Example templates to determine your needs are available to download (College Criteria Template 1 and College Criteria Template 2). Ensure an optimal mix of reach, match and safety schools; consider just 2-3 safety schools, so more time can be devoted to match and reach options.

How should I think about identifying and selecting colleges if I do not qualify for FAFSA? States and schools each have their own policies when it comes to admitting and granting financial assistance to students who do not qualify for FAFSA. Please review these resources to better understand how to navigate this process: Guide from Best College Guide from Niche

If you have questions about the Composite Ranking, or on starting the college planning process, please contact AKEB USA at [email protected].

2021 COLLEGE COMPOSITE RANKING