NRC Rankings - Top Performers

The 2010 National Research Council (NRC) study, which assessed 4,838 individual research doctorate programs across 212 institutions, provides a detailed analysis of the quality and strengths of academic programs in the United States. The study, released on 28 September 2010, did not assign single ranks to programs, but rather categorized them within specific ranges, offering a more nuanced understanding of how universities stack up in various fields. The rankings were based on several factors, including research activities, student support, program diversity, and overall academic performance. Here’s a look at some of the top performers in the NRC rankings from that year.

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Berkeley emerged as a dominant force in the NRC rankings, with an exceptional record across its doctoral programs. Of the 52 ranked Ph.D. programs at UC Berkeley, 48 of them were placed within a range that included the top 10. This was a remarkable performance, particularly when compared to other leading institutions. UC Berkeley’s placement in the top range was more consistent than that of other top universities. In total, 14 of its programs were ranked in the upper range of first place, which indicated the institution's widespread excellence in a variety of fields.

The university’s strength in research and doctoral education was apparent in multiple disciplines, contributing to its standing as one of the nation’s leading research institutions. The diversity of high-performing programs, coupled with a robust research environment and strong student support systems, made UC Berkeley a standout in the NRC study. Its status as a leader in graduate education was further reflected in the widespread academic achievements of its Ph.D. programs, solidifying the university’s position as one of the top places for doctoral study in the United States.

Harvard University

Following UC Berkeley, Harvard University ranked second in the NRC study, with 46 out of 52 of its Ph.D. programs falling within the range of the top 10. Harvard, long considered one of the most prestigious universities globally, performed exceptionally well across a wide range of disciplines. The consistency of Harvard’s strong rankings in a variety of fields, from the humanities to the sciences, was evident in the NRC data.

Harvard’s reputation for research, faculty expertise, and academic resources helped place it near the top in nearly every category. The university’s commitment to fostering an environment of academic rigor, with extensive student support and access to resources, is reflected in the quality of its doctoral programs. Harvard’s strong performance in the NRC rankings affirmed its position as a global leader in higher education and research, consistently producing top-tier graduates in a variety of disciplines.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

UCLA ranked third in the NRC study, with 40 out of 59 of its doctoral programs placing within a range that included the top 10. UCLA’s performance in the study demonstrated its broad strength across multiple fields. The university’s programs in engineering, social sciences, and health sciences, among others, were especially noteworthy for their research output, faculty achievements, and student support services.

UCLA is known for its interdisciplinary approach, which encourages collaboration across departments, and its location in Southern California offers unique opportunities for research and professional connections in fields such as entertainment, technology, and healthcare. The breadth and diversity of UCLA’s top-ranked programs speak to its comprehensive approach to graduate education, making it a premier destination for students pursuing advanced degrees across a range of disciplines.

North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University (NDSU) was one of the surprising entries in the NRC rankings, with 13 doctoral programs included in the assessment. While NDSU may not have the same level of national recognition as some of the larger universities, its doctoral programs were ranked highly in specific categories related to research activities, student support, and program diversity. NDSU’s performance in the rankings placed it alongside more well-known institutions like Washington State, Iowa State, Texas A&M, and Purdue University, which have historically been strong in research and graduate education.

NDSU’s focus on developing a strong research infrastructure and supporting its graduate students has contributed to the university’s rising profile in recent years. The positive outcomes from the NRC rankings reflect the university’s growing prominence in fields such as agriculture, engineering, and the sciences. NDSU’s success in the NRC survey underscores the increasing quality and impact of its doctoral programs, particularly in areas that are central to the institution’s mission.

University of Cincinnati

The University of Cincinnati had a strong showing in the 2010 NRC rankings, with 18 doctoral programs placing within the top 20 in at least one category. In total, 10 of UC’s doctoral programs were ranked in the top 25 overall, highlighting the university’s strength in a wide array of disciplines. The university’s commitment to research excellence, faculty development, and student success helped propel it to a prominent position in the rankings.

The University of Cincinnati is particularly noted for its focus on innovation, research collaboration, and community engagement. Its doctoral programs reflect these values, offering students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research and work closely with faculty members who are leaders in their fields. The university’s strong rankings in the NRC study demonstrate its continued growth as a research institution with a diverse and highly capable faculty, making it an attractive option for students seeking to pursue advanced degrees.

University of Kentucky

The University of Kentucky also experienced a significant rise in national prominence, with several of its doctoral and research programs seeing dramatic improvements in the rankings. Compared to 1993, the University of Kentucky saw major advancements in its research initiatives and doctoral offerings, as evidenced by the fact that it now houses three doctoral programs in the top 25 percent of the NRC rankings. This was a considerable improvement over the university’s previous standing, where only one program was in the top 25 percent.

In total, the University of Kentucky had 12 programs in the top 50 percent, which speaks to the institution’s continued investment in faculty research, graduate student support, and academic resources. The university’s strong showing in the NRC rankings reflects the growing strength of its research capabilities, particularly in areas such as agriculture, engineering, and health sciences, making it a competitive choice for students pursuing advanced degrees in these fields.

Conclusion

The 2010 NRC rankings provided valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of U.S. universities in terms of doctoral programs and research excellence. While larger and more established institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Harvard University, and UCLA continued to dominate the rankings, the NRC study also highlighted the growing prominence of universities like North Dakota State University, the University of Cincinnati, and the University of Kentucky. These schools may not have the same level of national recognition as some of the larger universities, but their focus on research, student support, and program diversity has positioned them as strong contenders in various fields.

For prospective graduate students, the NRC study offers a valuable tool for assessing the quality of doctoral programs across the country. It emphasizes that while reputation and prestige matter, factors like research opportunities, faculty expertise, and program diversity are equally important in determining the best fit for individual academic and professional goals. The 2010 NRC rankings underscore the diversity of strengths across U.S. higher education institutions and provide a comprehensive view of where top doctoral programs are thriving in the United States.