Caveat Emptor

Higher Education Rankings as Profit Centers

Authors

  • Ellen Hazelkorn Technological University Dublin
  • Philip G. Altbach Boston College Center for International Higher Education

Keywords:

ranking ethics, higher education rankings, global higher education trends

Abstract

Global higher education rankings have become a multifaceted and highly profitable enterprise. The three main rankings—Times Higher Education (THE), QS, and the Academic Rankings of World Universities (Shanghai rankings)—offer consulting services, big data analysis, benchmarking, and other services. Questions concerning conflict of interest and ethics of the system must be raised.

Author Biographies

Ellen Hazelkorn, Technological University Dublin

Ellen Hazelkorn is joint managing partner at BH Associates education consultants and professor emeritus at the Technological University Dublin, Ireland. E-mail: info@bhassociates.eu.

Philip G. Altbach, Boston College Center for International Higher Education

Philip G. Altbach is professor emeritus and distinguished fellow of the Boston College Center for International Higher Education, United States. E-mail: altbach@bc.edu.

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Published

2024-11-17

How to Cite

Hazelkorn, E., & Altbach, P. (2024). Caveat Emptor: Higher Education Rankings as Profit Centers. International Higher Education, (120). Retrieved from https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/ihe/article/view/18435

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Section

Articles