Do Unversity Rankings really matter? - Ep 325

In this episode, the hosts discuss the latest U.S. News & World Report university rankings and question their relevance to archaeology and cultural resource management (CRM). They argue that Ivy League prestige and rankings have little to no impact on hiring or success in archaeology, emphasizing that program quality, practical skills, and experience matter far more than a school’s name. The panel shares examples where Ivy League graduates were not stronger candidates and notes that perceived academic “elite” advantages are often statistical noise or social bias. Overall, the episode encourages students and parents to focus on strong, field-relevant programs rather than chasing rankings or prestige.

Transcripts

• For rough transcripts of this episode go to https://www.archpodnet.com/crmarchpodcast/325

• Transcript

Links

• U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges

Blogs and Resources:

• Bill White: Succinct Research

• Doug Rocks-MacQueen: Doug’s Archaeology

• Chris Webster: DIGTECH LLC

• Andrew Kinkella

  • Kinkella Teaches Archaeology (Youtube)

  • Blog: Kinkella Teaches Archaeology

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