Oberlin slips to 25 in U.S. News ratings

Oberlin again slipped in the annual U.S. News and World Report's ranking for liberal arts colleges to 25th this year. Oberlin tied with four other schools; Barnard College, Colorado College, Connecticut College and the University of the South.

Oberlin tied for 24 last year with five other schools. Oberlin has inched its way down the list in the last few years, falling from 22 two years ago.

Swarthmore College was ranked first among all liberal arts schools, with a perfect score of 100, while Oberlin only scored a 77.

Schools are ranked on various categories including SAT scores, selectivity, student/faculty ratio, faculty resources, graduation and retention rates, academic reputation and many others.

Although Oberlin's academic rating places it ahead of the 11 ranked Davidson College, its graduation and retention rank hurt its placing.

Oberlin made a significant jump in the "Best Values" category for liberal arts colleges. Last year Oberlin placed 21, but improved to seventh this year.

President Nancy Dye expressed frustration with the ranking system and the way Oberlin is categorized by U.S. News and World Report's. "I am always annoyed when those numbers come out," said Dye. Oberlin was not ranked among music schools. "Oberlin gets punished in these rankings," said Dye.

Dye focused on retention last year as a key problem for Oberlin's national rankings. After a year of research, Dye noted that two main areas arose as the genesis of poor retention rates. Community issues and impersonal interactions both contribute to retention difficulties.

Dye said, "There are a lot of community issues for students that come to Oberlin. Student expect more welcome and open communities." Dye explained that Oberlin's unique and diverse social circles do not often accommodate all students.

Oberlin is larger than most of the institutions that it compares itself to. Due to its size, first and second year students often experience impersonal interactions with faculty and staff. Poor class availability and advising concerns for first and second year students develop from Oberlin's larger size.

To combat some of these problems, Dean of the College Clayton Koppes has increased the number of classes in the first and second year colloquia, and will work towards making Oberlin more student centered for students.