In an annual ritual that offers a glimpse into the competitive landscape of higher education, universities across the nation select their peer institutions for comparative analysis in the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). This year, FAMU has significantly narrowed its peer list, choosing only five universities for comparison, with North Carolina A&T State University being the sole institution to reciprocate, making them mutual peers.
FAMU's decision to reduce its peer list from 17 institutions in the previous year to just five—the University of Memphis, Wayne State University, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, University of Toledo, and North Carolina A&T State University—reflects a strategic shift in its benchmarking approach. Despite this narrow focus, FAMU remains a peer of choice for 16 other universities, nine of which are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Notably, none of FAMU's selected peers were from Florida or within the Southwestern Athletic Conference. However, four SWAC schools—Jackson State, Alabama State, Southern, and Texas Southern—chose FAMU as their peers. Additionally, no university in Florida saw itself as peers with FAMU.
How does FAMU stack up with A&T?
The mutual recognition between FAMU and North Carolina A&T State University provides a unique opportunity to compare performance metrics directly.
According to the latest data, FAMU boasts a more selective admission rate of 33% compared to A&T's 56%, while A&T edges FAMU in enrollment with 11,484 students to FAMU's 7,884. Graduation rates over six years are closely matched, with FAMU at 60% and A&T at 57%.
FAMU also outperformed its five peers by being more highly selective 33% admission rate compared to 75%, and 60% six year grad rate compared to 54%. Enrollment wise, FAMU much smaller than its peers which had an average enrollment of 11,710.
Why it matters?
The comparisons are part of a broader exercise that allows universities to gauge their performance against institutions they deem similar in mission, size, or aspiration. The IPEDS reports not only provide insights into enrollment, admission, and graduation rates but also shed light on average staff salaries and other operational metrics.
Christine M. Keller, executive director and CEO of the Association for Institutional Research, emphasized the importance of this process, stating, "It's a bit of an art and a science. In some cases, you look at: Are they doing something really well that you want to get better at? It's important to ground your choices in data and look at the goals and the purpose of what you're trying to accomplish."
There’s no shortage of ways to compare colleges, and they often rely on the assumptions of the beholder, Keller added.
FAMU's strategic selection of peers underscores its commitment to benchmarking against institutions that share its values and aspirations. The university's decision to focus on a smaller, more targeted group of peers likely reflects a deliberate effort to refine its comparative analysis and drive institutional improvement.
As universities continue to navigate the competitive landscape of higher education, the IPEDS peer analysis remains a critical tool for self-assessment and strategic planning. For FAMU and its peers, the annual reporting cycle offers a valuable opportunity to measure progress, set goals, and strive for excellence in the ever-evolving world of academia.