There seems to be some debate as to the academic profile of the WAC compared with the academic profile of the Big Sky Conference. Does the Big Sky Conference have a better academic profile than the WAC, as claimed by one Cal-Poly alum, after recent conference moves? Let's see:
For the first run, I used the schools own web sites. Not all schools brag about their rankings and I was thrashed by a couple of readers for listing these programs as unranked. I apologize to those whom I offended. Some schools believe that their accreditation is more important than their ranking. Portland State brags about how "green" they are. I have been the the USNWR web site and corrected the findings, but my conclusion is the same.
WAC:
Ranked by US News and World Report (8 out of 8)
National Tier 1 (Top 250) (3--average ranking 136)
Denver University--US News and World Report, 84--National University Tier 1
University of Idaho--US News and World Report, 153--National Level Tier 1
Utah State University--US News and World Report, 170--National Level Tier 1
National Tier 2 (2)
Louisiana Tech University--US News and World Report, Tier 2
New Mexico State University--US News and World Report, Tier 2
Regional Masters Programs, Western Region (3) (No or few doctoral or research programs) (Average ranking is 49)
Texas State University--US News and World Report, 40--Masters Level
San Jose State University--US News and World Report, 44--Masters Level
University of Texas-San Antonio--US News and World Report, 62--Masters Level
Big Sky Conference
Ranked by US News and World Report (13 out of 13)
National Tier 1 (4) (Average ranking 128)
UC-Davis-US News and World Report, 34--National University Tier 1
University of North Dakota-US New and World Report 159--National University Tier1
Montana State University-US New and World Report 183-National University Tier 1
University of Montana-US New and World Report 191--National University Tier 1
National Tier 2 (4)
Northern Arizona University
Idaho State University
University of Northern Colorado
Portland State University
Regional Maters Programs (5) (Average Ranking 50)
Cal Poly-US News and World Report, 1--Masters Level
Eastern Washington University-US News and World Report, 56--Masters Level
Weber State University -US News and World Report, 59--Masters Level
Sacramento State University-US News and World Report, 62--Masters Level
Southern Utah University-US News and World Report, 75--Masters Level
For kicks and Grins:
Mountain West Conference (post shuffle)
Ranked (9 out of 10)
National Tier 1 (4) (Average Ranking 163)
Colorado State University--US News and World Report, 128--National University Tier 1
University of Wyoming--US News and World Report, 153--National University Tier 1
University of Hawaii at Manoa--US News and World Report, 159--National University Tier 1
San Diego State University--US News and World Report, 183--National University Tier 1
University of Nevada at Reno--US News and World Report, 191--National University Tier 1
National Tier 2 (2)
University of New Mexico--US News and World Report, National Tier 2
University of Nevada at Las Vegas--US News and World Report, National Tier 2
Regional Master's Programs (2) (Average Ranking 45)
Fresno State University--US News and World Report, 38-Masters Level
Boise State University--US News and World Report, 51--Masters Level
Not Ranked (1)
US Air Force Academy--Not Ranked for obvious reasons. None of the service academies are ranked, but very few would argue the quality of education received. Part of what goes into the ranking is job placement. The service academies all place 100% of their graduates.
It is easy to see why someone from Cal Poly or UC Davis could say that the Big Sky Conference has a higher academic profile than the WAC. But that is the case because UC Davis and Cal Poly make it so. The rankings that Cal Poly and UC Davis have earned are so very high compared to the rest of the Big Sky Conference that they improve the average ranking considerably. They skew the results. The tier 1 average ranking for the Big Sky is 175 without UC Davis and the average masters programs are ranked at 63 without Cal Poly. If these two schools were in the WAC, then the WAC would be ranked higher. These two schools would boost the academic standing of the MWC as well.
You have to compare apples to apples. It is hard to compare a university without a doctorate program to one that has a doctorate program. However, I think you need to look at as a parent helping my kids choose a University. If the choice is between Idaho and Cal Poly, for example, I would choose Cal Poly if academics were the only consideration. However, if my son was a star wide receiver with, who would start as a freshman at either school and therefore would have an outside chance at an NFL career and the choice is between Idaho and Cal Poly, I would choose Idaho for the greater exposure.
The Mountain West Conference is lower than either the Big Sky or the WAC when comparing their tier 1 programs (That is with UC Davis included in the Big Sky). But the MWC has higher ranked regional programs. No service academies are ranked, but the Air Force Academy is so selective that it improves the academic profile of the MWC. The MWC took a major hit academically as it's three best academic programs are leaving. It's average academic tier 1 ranking was 91 before BYU, TCU and Utah left and the MWC had no master's program schools before Boise State and Fresno State were invited.
Here is what the MWC has lost:
Ranked (3)
National Tier 1
Brigham Young University--US News and World Report, 71--National University Tier 1
Texas Christian University--US News and World Report, 99--National University Tier 1
University of Utah--US News and World Report, 126--National University Tier 1
As far a academic rankings are concerned, it would be nice if everyone could go to Harvard and get that quality of education. But, alas, it is not so. Some people consider academics and athletics when considering whether or not to donate or give a grant to a certain university. The athletic conference is something that a university has some control over and it represents who you believe your peers are. It is important that a university pick the right conference and it is important that a conference pick the right schools. It can make a difference. From an academic standpoint, UC Davis and Cal Poly are probably in the wrong conference.
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