Are Rankings Really the Best Way to Choose a University?

Every year, headlines scream:
“MIT is #1 again.”
“Harvard drops to #3.”

And naturally, students and parents pay attention. Rankings appear simple, authoritative, and scientific. They give you a number — and numbers feel reliable.

But here’s the truth I share with every family I counsel:

Rankings don’t tell the whole story — not even close.
The #1 university may not be #1 for you.

Most ranking systems measure research, citations, and faculty prestige — not student experience, ROI, internships, job outcomes, affordability, safety, or campus culture.

If you're choosing a university based only on rankings, you’re making a decision with incomplete (and often misleading) information.

If you want my complete, step-by-step guide to choosing universities based on real indicators — program fit, ROI, employability, culture, scholarships, and long-term outcomes — Comment “Rankings” below.

 

Why Families Trust Rankings — And Why That’s a Problem

Rankings feel like a shortcut. A quick “top 100 universities” list looks much easier than analysing 50+ factors.

But here’s why that shortcut often leads students in the wrong direction:

1. Rankings create an illusion of objectivity

A university ranked #17 sounds better than one ranked #54.

But behind that number is a formula designed by the ranking company — not by educators, employers, or students.

2. Rankings feed into prestige and social pressure

Parents want to say,
“My child got into a top 20 university.”

But:
Your success doesn’t depend on a ranking — it depends on what you do with the opportunities you get.

3. Rankings reward universities for things students don’t experience

Most systems heavily weigh:

• Research output

• Faculty citations

• Academic reputation surveys

• Endowment size

None of these reflect:

• teaching quality

• mental health support

• internships

• classroom experience

• affordability

• alumni mentorship

• employability

And that’s where the problem begins.

What Rankings Actually Measure (Versus What You Think They Measure)

Before you trust a ranking list, understand what it’s based on.

QS World University Rankings

Heavily weighted toward:

• Academic reputation (40%)

• Employer reputation

• Faculty-student ratio

• International mix

• Research output

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

Focuses on:

• Research environment

• Citations

• International outlook

• Industry income

• Teaching environment

U.S. News Rankings

Prioritises:

• Research productivity

• Reputation surveys

• Publications and citations

• Graduation rates (for U.S. schools)

Notice anything?
All three systems are research-centric and reputation-centric.

They do not measure:

• student happiness

• internships

• career outcomes

• visa/immigration support

• academic pressure

• inclusivity

• safety

• networking quality

• housing availability

• value for money

When you choose a university for study abroad, these are the factors that affect your daily life, mental health, and future career — not the number next to the university name.

 

The Big Myth: A Higher-Ranked University = Better Career

Let’s break this once and for all.

Employers don’t hire rankings. Employers hire skills.

Multiple global employer surveys show:

• 60% of employers don’t prioritise university name.

• Companies like Google, Deloitte, EY, Apple, and JP Morgan hire from hundreds of universities — not only the top 50.

• Students with strong projects, internships, and communication skills outperform students with big brand names but weak portfolios.

Real example:

Northeastern University (often lower in global rankings) has one of the best co-op programs in the world, resulting in exceptionally high job placement rates.

Compare that to a top 20 university where students graduate with:

• no work experience

• minimal career support

• poor industry connections

Who do you think gets hired faster?

 

Why Rankings Should Not Determine Your University List

Here’s what rankings don’t account for:

1. Program Strength Varies by Major

A university may be:

• Top 50 overall
  but

• Top 10 in Engineering and

• Top 200 in Business.

Or vice versa.

Choosing based on overall ranking is like buying a car based on colour, not engine performance.

2. Rankings ignore affordability & scholarships

A top 30 university with zero scholarship may be a worse choice than a top 150 university offering 50–100% scholarships.

Your ROI matters more than your ranking.

3. Internships matter more than reputation

Employers care about internship experience far more than the university brand.

Some mid-ranked schools have:

• paid co-ops

• industry-integrated coursework

• major corporate partnerships

…all of which affect your job prospects far more than a ranking number.

4. Rankings don’t show location-based job opportunities

Location often predicts employability more than ranking.

Examples:

• Boston → Tech, biotech

• London → Finance, consulting

• Toronto → AI, data science

• Los Angeles → Film, entertainment

• Vancouver → Gaming, VFX

A top 200 university in Boston may be more advantageous for tech than a top 50 university in a remote town.

5. Rankings don’t measure campus life or mental health

And these directly impact student success.

 

So… Do Rankings Matter At All?

Yes — but only for certain students and certain goals.

Rankings matter if:

• you are doing a research-heavy master’s

• you plan to pursue a PhD

• you want to work in academia

• you're applying to globally reputed institutions

• program selectivity is high

Rankings matter a little if:

• you need a broad reputation indicator

• you’re comparing universities with similar offerings

Rankings don’t matter much if:

• you want strong internships

• you want good scholarships

• you need a good ROI

• you care about career outcomes

• you’re studying business, tech, design, media, or social sciences

• you want a supportive campus environment

 

How to Actually Choose the Right University 

This is the same evaluation process used at Karan Gupta Consulting to shortlist universities for students across 65+ countries.

1. Start with Program Strength

Look at:

• course modules

• specialisations

• labs & facilities

• research centres

• teaching quality

• accreditation

2. Evaluate Career Outcomes

Check:

• internship opportunities

• co-op programs

• on-campus recruitment

• alumni network

• job placement percentage

Career support > ranking.

3. Analyse ROI (Return on Investment)

Calculate:

• Tuition + living expenses

• Scholarship opportunities

• Graduate earnings

• Payback period

A lower-ranked but more affordable university may offer higher ROI.

4. Look at Location

Because your job market depends on:

• industry hubs

• immigration rules

• networking opportunities

• safety

• part-time work options

5. Understand Campus Culture & Fit

Ask:

• Is the campus diverse?

• Are there clubs I’d join?

• How competitive vs collaborative is the environment?

• How large are classes?

Students perform best when they feel they belong.

6. Check International Student Support

Especially important for Indian and global students:

• visa support

• orientation

• mentorship

• academic advisors

• mental health services

7. Speak to Current Students or Alumni

The best insights come from people who’ve lived the experience.

Ask about:

• workload

• internships

• culture

• safety

• professor quality

 

Real Examples: When Rankings Mislead Students

Case 1: Engineering Student

Student picks a top 40 university far from tech hubs → no internship access.

Another picks a top 200 school in Boston → multiple internships → top job offers.

Case 2: Business Student

Top 30 school → no co-op, limited corporate exposure.
Top 120 school → co-op placements at Deloitte, KPMG, PwC.

Guess who wins?

Case 3: Student Needing Scholarships

Top 50 university gives no aid.
Top 150 university gives 75% scholarship.
Savings = ₹30–40 lakhs.
ROI = significantly higher.

 

The Psychology Behind Rankings: Why We Overvalue Them

Rankings tap into:

• social validation

• fear of regret

• comparison pressure

• brand prestige

But prestige fades quickly when you’re struggling with:

• poor mental health

• financial pressure

• lack of internships

• limited support

What stays with you forever is your experience, your growth, and your skills.

 

Does Choosing Based on Rankings Lead to Bad Decisions?

Not always — but it often leads to:

• overpaying for the same degree

• ignoring better-fit universities

• joining a program that doesn’t match your goals

• missing large scholarship opportunities

• ending up with fewer internships

• burnout in overly competitive environments

Your job, your happiness, and your career do not depend on a ranking number.

FAQs: Do Rankings Matter?

1. Do college rankings really matter for jobs?

Not as much as people think. Employers focus more on internships, portfolios, and skills.

2. Are high-ranked universities always better?

No. Many mid-ranked schools offer better internships, ROI, and student support.

3. Should I apply only to top 50 universities?

Not unless they fit your budget, goals, and program needs.

4. Why do university rankings differ across websites?

Each uses a different formula and weightage.

5. Do rankings matter for Master’s programs?

Yes for research-focused degrees. Less so for career-focused programs.

6. Is it bad to choose a university ranked 200+?

Not at all. Many such universities offer exceptional opportunities and outcomes.

7. What is more important than ranking?

Program strength, internships, cost, location, and campus culture.

 

Conclusion: The Real Question Isn’t “What’s the Top School?” — It’s “What’s the Top School for You?”

Rankings can provide a broad sense of reputation — nothing more.

Your future will be shaped by:

• the program you choose

• the internships you complete

• the skills you develop

• the mentors you find

• the environment you grow in