Methodology: Regional Classification     

To establish a comprehensive recognition and ranking system, Best-In-Class Colleges follows a meticulous methodology that involves grouping colleges of the same class within specific regions. The process of creating college classifications is detailed in a separate article. Regions are determined by carefully considering various factors, including geographic location, historical and cultural similarities, and population distribution. It’s worth noting that the assignment of states to regions may undergo slight variations or updates to ensure alignment with the regions utilized by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).

Best-In-Class Colleges regions encompass the following areas:

New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont.

Mid East: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania.

Great Lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin.

Plains: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota.

Southeast: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia.

Southwest: Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.

Rocky Mountains: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming.

Far West: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington.

Best-In-Class Colleges also collects data on outlying areas. When indicated, reviews are created for outlying areas separately.

Outlying Areas: American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Palau, U.S. Virgin Islands.

By organizing colleges into these distinct regions, Best-In-Class Colleges ensures a comprehensive and balanced approach to its recognition and ranking system. This regional classification enables more meaningful comparisons and evaluations, taking into account the specific characteristics and educational landscape of each region.