Can someone explain what a “regional” university is?

[Anonymous]

I am looking at this list on USNWR and it makes no sense to me. It has Towson, which to my mind is a full university, and I can see how it would be regional because it mostly draws from MD, and RISD and Berklee which both seem like they don’t belong on a university list but are also schools that definitely appeal to kids across the nation.

Like either have one list, which would make sense to me, as it would put Towson on a list with other big universities that seem roughly similar. Or make a list of specifically art schools.

Not sure why I am ranting about this.

[Anonymous]

Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

those types of specialized schools don't fit anywhere because they don't fit the definitions they used. so i kinda agree with you op but so what?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

those types of specialized schools don't fit anywhere because they don't fit the definitions they used. so i kinda agree with you op but so what?

I guess I am not really annoyed about the RISD/Berklee thing. My kid who wants one of those isn’t going to decide to go to the other because it’s higher ranked.

What is annoying is that for my kid who wants a not too selective school not too far from home, the schools he’s looking at are spread across multiple lists.

[Anonymous]

As an example, Towson and UMBC seem like two schools that students might end up choosing between.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an example, Towson and UMBC seem like two schools that students might end up choosing between.

Towson was on the national list last year, but has been moved to regional. Not sure why.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

those types of specialized schools don't fit anywhere because they don't fit the definitions they used. so i kinda agree with you op but so what?

I guess I am not really annoyed about the RISD/Berklee thing. My kid who wants one of those isn’t going to decide to go to the other because it’s higher ranked.

What is annoying is that for my kid who wants a not too selective school not too far from home, the schools he’s looking at are spread across multiple lists.

Why is this annoying? Why do they need to appear on any list, much less the same ones?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

those types of specialized schools don't fit anywhere because they don't fit the definitions they used. so i kinda agree with you op but so what?

I guess I am not really annoyed about the RISD/Berklee thing. My kid who wants one of those isn’t going to decide to go to the other because it’s higher ranked.

What is annoying is that for my kid who wants a not too selective school not too far from home, the schools he’s looking at are spread across multiple lists.

Why is this annoying? Why do they need to appear on any list, much less the same ones?

Because it's designed to be a tool to help people compare schools, and it seems like they weren't thoughtful about making it usable to the majority of people, only to people who are comparing schools at the very top.

It's one data point among many.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is USNWR's explanation:

"Regional Universities: Like the National Universities, Regional Universities – defined by the Carnegie classification as Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs), Master's Colleges and Universities (medium programs), and Master's Colleges and Universities (smaller programs) – provide a range of undergraduate programs and some master's-level programs. They offer few, if any, doctoral programs.

The 604 total Regional Universities (239 public, 350 private and 15 for-profit) are ranked within four geographic areas: North, South, Midwest and West."

https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/ranking-category-definitions

OK, the masters thing sort of makes sense, but there is no way that RISD or Berklee offers a range of programs. Both schools offer a handful of very specific degrees in related areas. That’s very different from other schools on the list. Which is their strength, and why they aren’t really regional.

those types of specialized schools don't fit anywhere because they don't fit the definitions they used. so i kinda agree with you op but so what?

I guess I am not really annoyed about the RISD/Berklee thing. My kid who wants one of those isn’t going to decide to go to the other because it’s higher ranked.

What is annoying is that for my kid who wants a not too selective school not too far from home, the schools he’s looking at are spread across multiple lists.

Why is this annoying? Why do they need to appear on any list, much less the same ones?

Because it's designed to be a tool to help people compare schools, and it seems like they weren't thoughtful about making it usable to the majority of people, only to people who are comparing schools at the very top.

It's one data point among many.

Disagree. It was designed as a tool to sell a magazine. That’s it. That’s it.

[Anonymous]

I always assumed regional university meant a school that most people outside the "region" hadn't heard of. Most schools in the US are regional universities by that definition I suppose.

[Anonymous]

One would think "regional" versus 'National' would be based on percentage of students who live relatively locally. Once you get over a threshold of students who live outside the region, you move to the nation al list.

But it doesn't look like the lists apply that much logic to their marketing device.

[Anonymous]

It's a consolation prize for universities that aren't very good. They get to be on a "list" even if it's not the "real" list. You're not a top national university or a top LAC but you are a top regional university. Yay!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am looking at this list on USNWR and it makes no sense to me. It has Towson, which to my mind is a full university, and I can see how it would be regional because it mostly draws from MD, and RISD and Berklee which both seem like they don’t belong on a university list but are also schools that definitely appeal to kids across the nation.

Like either have one list, which would make sense to me, as it would put Towson on a list with other big universities that seem roughly similar. Or make a list of specifically art schools.

Not sure why I am ranting about this.

I am not sure why, either. Why is the distinction important to you? Do you think it is some sort of hierarchy?

[Anonymous]

Rankings and ranking classifications are based on academic offerings and quality, not the whereabouts of who attends. Regional schools do not have national or international academic recognition, thus they largely serve their local and nearby communities/states. That is, regional schools don’t have outstanding academics, thus they mostly attract regional students, not the other way around.