Using Machine Learning and Regression Techniques to Rank Liberal Arts Colleges on Social Mobility and the Advancement of Underrepresented Groups - The College of Wooster

The purpose of higher education is to contribute to the advancement of society by graduating students of all backgrounds and providing them the skills and knowledge to be successful in life. One way colleges and universities can contribute to this purpose is to promote the goal of social mobility. The data shows that elite schools are enrolling mostly students from the highest income families. The current college ranking systems are highly weighted towards wealth, rather than social mobility and the advancement of all students. Therefore, there is a need to redirect the focus of college rankings to social mobility, not for the few but for all, especially those who have been traditionally excluded.