NRC Study Ranks Stanford Aero/Astro Among U.S. Best

The National Research Council (NRC) has released its long-awaited study of 5,000 doctoral programs in 59 fields of study. The NRC report is seen as the gold-standard in ranking U.S. Ph.D. programs. A survey of aeronautics professors around the country showed that Stanford's Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics was seen as the number one program in the country, with 95% confidence in the results.

In a separate part of the study, data were analyzed on twenty criteria. Some of the criteria were faculty members' publications, citation rates, grants, and awards; students' completion rates and the availability of financial aid; and ethnic diversity and the balance between men and women. The relative importance of the criteria were determined by faculty members in each field. In this part of the study, the Stanford Aero/Astro Department ranked behind only Cal Tech's.

The NRC was established in 1916. It describes its mission as improving government decision-making and public policy, increasing public education and understanding, and promoting the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in matters involving science, engineering, technology, and health. Its core services involve collecting, analyzing, and sharing information and knowledge. The NRC is administered jointly by the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine through the NRC Governing Board.