tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31670799.post406993306139910715..comments2023-11-02T09:44:15.693-04:00Comments on The Center for College Affordability and Productivity: America's Best Colleges and UniversitiesCenter for College Affordability and Productivityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18041956958538598371noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31670799.post-32885876167190187722008-02-16T19:37:00.000-05:002008-02-16T19:37:00.000-05:00After reading this blog on ranking schools, a few ...After reading this blog on ranking schools, a few thoughts cross my mind – none of which have any direct relationship to the methodology of producing the ranking. Instead, I was wondering what do rankings have to do with affordability and productivity, and what other information can we glean from the rankings?<BR/><BR/>What does ranking colleges have to do with affordability and productivity? My guess is that people on the “Who’s Who” list are considered the most productive members of society. But what does this have to do with affordability? Well, in one case it was addressed – intentionally or not.<BR/><BR/>Let’s have a look at the No. 1 Public University, the US Naval Academy and exclude the other academies (West Point, USAF, and the CG Academy). <BR/><BR/><BR/>Affordability<BR/>The USNA is free for those who are accepted – almost. For 5 years after graduation from the academy graduates must serve at least 5 years of service in the Navy or Marines. But they do get paid.<BR/><BR/>So for many who are willing and able to serve their country, you just can’t beat this from an affordability point of view.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Productivity<BR/>The system at the USNA turns the system of every other university listed on its head. The academy sets the schedule for cadets (heretofore students). The academy sets the class sequences. The student knows what to expect each day – what they will learn and when they will learn it. A typical student day starts by getting up at 5:00am (I believe) and does not end until 6:00pm. After that, the student is compelled to study if they want to pass their courses. Study time lasts until approximately 11:00pm. During the summer, students are given a duty assignment where they will receive “on the job training”.<BR/><BR/>I would conclude that those young men and women who attend the USNA are very productive because the rigors of the academy are productive.<BR/><BR/>So can we conclude that the USNA is the most affordable and productive? Probably. But is it a model that other universities should follow? Probably not. It is so far removed from the traditional approach of “regular” universities. But what it does show is that from the first day of class to graduation the USNA model is probably the most productive and affordable there is. It also shows that not only does the university play a role in productivity, but so does the student.<BR/><BR/>Anchors AweighRWWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16345147132602206121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31670799.post-13602136649727234992008-02-14T14:55:00.000-05:002008-02-14T14:55:00.000-05:00Is that Wheaton in Massachusetts, Wheaton in Illin...Is that Wheaton in Massachusetts, Wheaton in Illinois, or were they lumped together?SBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14906396781840215344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31670799.post-54923576711374586902008-02-14T12:40:00.000-05:002008-02-14T12:40:00.000-05:00Very interesting findings and a great start. I'll...Very interesting findings and a great start. I'll reiterate my earlier comment, that looking at this data for a single year is a snapshot--not a study.<BR/><BR/>To be truly relevant, and to have any validity in shaping public perception much less policy, this would need to be looked at over a generation with other variables relating to Who's Who production also studied such as a school's likelihood to propel 1st generation college students onto the Who's Who list as well as value in the form of the likelihood of Who's Who recognition per tuition dollar spent.<BR/><BR/>There's a lot of work to do on this before it can be considered anything but a curiosity, but this is a great start and congrats to you and your staff for pursuing this idea.Bill Haydonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17369660580836653286noreply@blogger.com