According to Money Magazine, Fairfield University is the 56th best college in the nation in terms of delivering value. However, to fully appreciate just how impressive that rank is, you have to take a look at the list as a whole.
Coming in 56th place in almost any competition seems far from praiseworthy. But when you look past the number, Fairfield’s spot on the list is something to be proud of. The way that Money scores schools is arguably the most complete selection process, which is why this should be the list seen as most accurate. With the methodology understood, the schools placed above and below Fairfield only make a stronger case for the claim that coming in 56th place can be said proudly.
US News has a yearly list of their own and placed Fairfield as the No. 3 regional university in the Northeast. Another extraordinary rank, but I believe that the number 56 given to us by Money is more valuable.
The difference is in the selection methodology. US News starts off by breaking it down into four different categories like regional universities. On the other hand Money used a list of 1500 schools in the nation. Then from there US News ranks schools primarily on education, where as Money splits up its total grade in three ways: education, affordability and outcome. So when you look at Money’s list it's about how good the school is, how well the students are doing out of college, and how well people do based on the tuition price. Then there is a special grade given to each school at the end, based on “how well students at each school did vs. what would be expected given their economic and academic background.” Fairfield’s added value grade was an A.
With more than just the number of students on the dean's list being considered in scoring a college, Money’s process can be seen as more solidified. That being said, the schools that Fairfield is above and below make it even more of a prominent place. Fairfield is tied with Bowdoin College at 56, which isn’t even the most noteworthy comparison. Fairfield ranks better than Georgetown, Providence, Villanova, Tufts, Johns Hopkins, Middlebury, Bates, Colby and many more. Those schools may be stronger solely on education programs, but college is more about preparation for the rest of your life and in that, Fairfield is doing a better job.
Personally, my view of college has changed from high school to being a college student. If I was in high school I would see the better education as a more attractive rank, but now as a college student, I want a school that is going to set me up for success after graduation. A good education is not the only marker of what makes a good college. It's about how their graduates come out as a whole, not just as a GPA.
