Countdown to the 2026 QuantNet Rankings

In anticipating of the upcoming 2026 ranking, you can use this to speculate discuss. Once the ranking is released, we will convert this to the official discussion for the ranking.
This follows our past tradition.
We expect to release around second or third week of November.
The same programs plus or minus a couple will be on our 2026 ranking.

 

[Woodchipper]

I have a strong curiosity of the self-selection aspect of these schools and the admissions. Will the visa scares play a role in applicant selection? Will these programs undergo a law school-level application rise to quite literally attempt to buy more time? I have a prediction that the larger names only become more solidified whereas the lesser ones slip slightly in the eyes of international applicants simply because of higher placement rates as well as the name brand effect covered earlier in this thread. I am but just a lowly user of this site with a ponderance, curious to hear your takes.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Members with keen eyes will notice that on over the past several months, we have added a few data points on the ranking page that would give them insights into the strength of a program and how robust its career services is. We will continue to expand the level of detailed insights to make sure QuantNet members are more informed and prepared for the industry.

Graduate Reporting Rate*: Percentage of graduates whose post-graduation status (seeking FT employment or not seeking, e.g., PhD) is known. 100% = no unknown cases.
Salary Report Rate**: Percentage of graduates employed in the US who reported salary information.

 

[rajivp]

Since a large percentage of STEM students are international, I’m curious how programs differ in financial support and flexibility regarding visa delays or deferrals. In my experience, many applicants factor these policies heavily when choosing between programs. Insight into which programs are more supportive in these areas could be a valid data point!!

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Since a large percentage of STEM students are international, I’m curious how programs differ in financial support and flexibility regarding visa delays or deferrals. In my experience, many applicants factor these policies heavily when choosing between programs. Insight into which programs are more supportive in these areas could be a valid data point!!

Just have some data points but programs are flexible giving deferral options for those who got issue with visa appointment, etc. You can defer to the next year.
Financial support is something we have to see. I know Rutgers increased their max scholarship amount. Other programs may offering more attractive package to retain the top applicants.

 

[deeto]

My prediction. GA Tech #1 (Because I am going there and would love that to be true)

 

[Andy Nguyen]

My prediction. GA Tech #1 (Because I am going there and would love that to be true)

I can not confirm nor deny that GaTech QCF will be #1. I can only say that there will be movement(s) this year.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

T - minus 5

T - 2

In the 2026 ranking, we will formally introduce 2 new variables which we've tracked the past few years but not publicly accessible.
Graduate Reporting Rate*: Percentage of graduates whose post-graduation status (seeking FT employment or not seeking, e.g., PhD) is known. 100% = no unknown cases.
Salary Report Rate**: Percentage of graduates employed in the US who reported salary information.

How would these help prospective applicants?
They are both indicative of how robust a program's career services is.
A graduate reporting rate of 100% means a program can account for every single of its graduates. They know who are looking for job, who is going on to do PhD, etc. A 80% rate would indicate that there are 20% of the group with unknown status (do not response to the program's survey, outreach, etc).
The bigger the program, the more important this number is.
A salary report rate of 100% means all graduates having jobs in the US reported their salary figure. This ensure the compensation number is much more accurate and shows how effective the career service is. Graduates with satisfactory job outcome tend to report their salary at a higher rate. Again, the bigger the program, the more important this number.

 

[rajivp]

has QuantNet ever run a “before vs. after” poll (i see one poll ongoing of where you wnat to apply) as in, which programs applicants planned to choose before the rankings came out, and which ones they ended up choosing after?
I feel like that would legitimately highlight how influential QuantNet rankings are - “20% of candidates changed their acceptance decisions after seeing the rankings.”
That’s something Andy could definitely brag about… unless that kind of transparency is considered too powerful.

 

[Andy Nguyen]

Given the timing of the ranking release and the admission cycle, I suspect that most applicants already have a list of programs they apply to. The rankings definitely help them narrow down the list but the ultimate decision is pretty personal such as financial aid, location, etc.
Here is an interesting poll I ran on LinkedIn. As QuantNet is the only place that you can find the ranking and exclusive student reviews, that's flexing enough for me already.