Why doesn the Commission rank institutions?
The purpose of accreditation is to provide public assurance of educational quality and institutional integrity. Various publications have begun institution ranking processes based on such factors as specific numerical details (e.g., size, tuition, and endowment), faculty selectivity, and public opinion. It is important to remember that colleges and universities differ from one another in significant ways, including mission, programs offered, and students served. Therefore, the important issue for each student is whether the institution meets its mission. Published rankings may be one source of information, but they should not be the only source.
