Why Launchpad?
A Unique, Student-Focused Approach
Although internationally recognized agencies and publications, such as the London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education, US News & World Report, Forbes, and others, have been publishing detailed rankings of the best universities for years, they often focus too much on factors like admissions selectivity, faculty research citations, fame of alumni, and the size of the endowment. While these criteria undoubtedly contribute to institutional prestige, they hold little significance for the undergraduate experience or the quality of education. In contrast, the Launchpad rankings emphasize aspects such as the university’s teaching focus, average class size, required experiential learning, economic mobility, and retention– parameters that should be most important to undergraduate students because they significantly impact students and play a crucial role in helping them progress successfully to the next stage of their academic journey.
The other significant difference is in the transparency of the data. Many ranking systems depend on surveys and peer reviews rather than on objectively verifiable information. This can lead to outcomes that are difficult to substantiate. Decisions about which university to attend should not be based on opaque systems.
Comparative Analysis
| Launchpad Rankings | WSJ Rankings | Forbes Rankings | US News & World Report Rankings | QS World University Rankings | THE World University Rankings | |
| Focus Area | Undergraduate Experience and Outcomes | Student Outcomes and Diversity | Alumni Sucess, Cost, and Prestige | Institutional Resources and Prestige | Academic Reputation and Research Impact | Research and Industry Ties |
| Teaching Quality | High Emphasis | Medium Emphasis | Medium Emphasis | Low Emphasis | Low Emphasis | Medium Emphasis |
| Experiential Learning | High | Medium | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| Class Sizes | High | Low | Low | Medium | Low | Low |
| Data Transparency | High | Medium-Survey Dependnet | Medium | Medium-Survey Dependent | Medium-Survey Dependent | High |
| Ideal Audience | Families prioritizing quality undergraduate education | Families focussed on ROI | Families balancing cost and prestige | Prestige seekers | Global academics | Global academics and researchers |