Elucidation of a resource reputation model to explain US News & World Report ranking using path analysis

The US News & World Report (USNWR) ranking is based on a reputation and prestige survey mailed to academic peers. This study's goal was to determine direct and indirect institutional, faculty, and student attributes predictive of the 2016 USNWR pharmacy rankings.

The Resource and Reputation Model (RRM) explains the development of perceptions of reputation and prestige. Institutional characteristics as well as student and faculty resources and outcomes were obtained from various sources. Path analysis determined the total, direct, and indirect effects.

USNWR rankings were higher if programs were older, affiliated with an academic health center, classified as a research-intensive institution, and members of a Power 5 football conference. Program rank was predicted by the number of full-time faculty equivalents and pharmacy practice h-index score and funding. Pharmacy College Admissions Test comprehensive percentile and first-time North American Pharmacy Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) pass rate were also predictive of higher rank. All but affiliation with an academic health center or research-intensive institution directly predicted rank, but they had indirect impact through programmatic quality attributes.

The RRM helps to explain pharmacy programs' USNWR rankings. Elucidation of its components provide insight into explaining the rankings and improving the methodology. Academic pharmacy could work with USNWR to develop criteria-based objective methodology to validate and improve rankings. Faculty, faculty productivity, and student academic preparation and success on NAPLEX influence USNWR rankings more than immutable factors such as program age and affiliations.