In the recently released rankings, Hampden-Sydney is 97, up from 98 last year, and again in the Top 100.
In 2000, Hampden-Sydney was in the Third Tier (Third Tier schools are not numerically ranked, but are listed alphabetically) where it had been ranked for several years. In 2001, the seesaw between Second and Third Tiers began and lasted until 2005 when Hampden-Sydney, at 104, became firmly established in the Second Tier. Since then the College has moved up seven places.

The US News rankings are the best known of college rankings, but there are some comparisons of our own that may be more valuable. A number of years ago, Hampden-Sydney established a list of 35 (including H-SC) peer institutions — liberal arts colleges of similar size, resources, and mission.

These include fellow Virginia colleges Hollins, Randolph-Macon, Randolph (formerly RMWC), Roanoke, and Sweet Briar as well as colleges from across the country including Austin in Texas, Beloit in Wisconsin, Centre in Kentucky, Guildford in North Carolina, Hobart & William Smith in New York, Sewanee in Tennessee, Wabash in Indiana, Washington College in Maryland, Washington & Jefferson in Pennsylvania, Wheaton in Massachusetts, and Wofford in South Carolina.

Each year, using the US News rankings, we compare ourselves to these peer institutions. In “acceptance rate,” “percent of full-time faculty,” and “alumni giving,” Hampden-Sydney stands in the top half among it peers. In alumni giving, Hampden-Sydney ranks above all Virginia peer institutions.

Being in the Top 100, gives Hampden-Sydney certain bragging rights, but according to President Christopher Howard, “My philosophy regarding US News & World Report is that it prompts us to ask the right questions about the College’s health. We should be asking ourselves those questions regardless of the impact on ranking.”

Related posts:

1. Finding a Place in the Hampden-Sydney Culture
2. H-SC Tennis Squad Earns National Ranking
3. Hampden-Sydney Expands WiFi Access