Why Aren’t More Institutions Following Colorado College and RISD?

A week ago, L. Song Richardson, the president of Colorado College, sent all her students, faculty members and alumni a message: the college was leaving the U.S. News & World Report rankings.  Since November, a number of elite law and medical schools have left U.S. News. Yale University was the first law school to act, and Harvard University was the first medical school to act. Both moves were quickly followed by others (including highly ranked institutions).  To date, there has not been a similar following of Colorado College and RISD from the undergraduate rankings. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said last week that colleges should not worship at “the false altar” of U.S. News rankings and should drop out.