Ever wonder which U.S. colleges have the most influence and engagement on Facebook? By analyzing several Facebook data points from nearly 400 of the nation’s largest schools, we’ve created the Most Influential Colleges on Facebook rankings. This list compares Facebook reach and engagement as well as the implementation of Facebook best practices.
Facebook, the grandfather of all social networks, got its start 10 years ago in the dorms of Harvard University, spearheaded by Mark Zuckerberg and his friends. So it is hardly a surprise that Harvard University tops the rankings of schools with… the most influence on Facebook. With nearly 3.3 million likes, Harvard’s Facebook page has garnered over 26,000 Facebook reviews from students to visitors alike.
The number of likes was just one criteria used to rank universities’ performance on Facebook. Data such as “talking about this,” a Facebook measure to determine school page mentions, were considered in this list. For example, the number two school, Texas A&M University, has around 450,000 likes, and its “talking about this” measure is almost 38,000. This ratio of “talking about this” to likes is one of the highest of the schools that made the top 30.
It seems that even as methods of communication have changed dramatically, there is still nothing quite like a rivalry to stir up conversation in and around a university. Schools from two of the largest rivalries in college sports, University of Michigan and Michigan State, and Auburn University and University of Alabama, each rank in the top 20 of the Facebook influencer list.
As one of the largest and most diverse platforms in social media, Facebook offers page managers the ability to plan events, share articles and photos, make detailed profiles, and much more. Universities that conquer this platform have personal, direct access to millions of users, and perhaps most importantly, to alumni and potential students. This gives them the ability to stay on top of – and in some cases even start – the online conversation about their schools.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA#1A+
At 350 years old, Harvard University is not only one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the United States, it is also one of the most renowned and respected. It’s graduates are … read more
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX#2A+
The Texas A&M University System (A&M standing for "Agriculture and Mechanical") is one of the largest networks of higher education institutions in the United States. Through a complex … read more
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI#3A
The University of Michigan (also known as U of M, U-M, UMich, or Michigan) is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA but it also has satellite campuses in Flint and Dearborn. It is the oldest … read more
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL#4A
The University of Alabama – Tuscaloosa is one of the largest public universities in the South. The school offers hundreds of excellent educational programs, has a beautiful campus, and sponsors … read more
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI#5A
Michigan State University, locally referred to as MSU, is a public university in East Lansing, Michigan that is classified as a "high research activity" institution. MSU is internationally … read more
Yale University
New Haven, CT#6A
Yale University offers some of the most respected academic programs worldwide. Professors and other faculty members at Yale often receive international-recognition for their research and … read more
University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA#7A
University of California, Los Angeles, more commonly referred to as UCLA, is a public university situated in the Westwood neighborhood within the city of Los Angeles, california. UCLA was first … read more
Penn State University
University Park, PA#8A
Pennsylvania State University (also known as Penn State or just PSU) is a public, four-year university that is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a university with "high research activity". … read more
University of Phoenix
Arizona#9A
University of Phoenix offers classes that are designed for working professionals like you. Classes are held in the evening or sometimes on the weekends, so you don’t have to give up your job or … read more
Stanford University
Stanford, CA#10A
Stanford University, or Stanford, is is a private research university located in Stanford, California. Stanford is internationally-recognized for its prestigious undergraduate and graduate … read more
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN#11A
Indiana University Bloomington (often called “IU” or “Indiana”) is the flagship campus for the Indiana University system. Located in the city of Bloomington (population just over 80,000), the … read more
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO#12A
The University of Missouri, Columbia, is a public research university located in Columbia, Missouri. Also known as Mizzou, Missouri or MU, it is the largest institution of higher education in the … read more
Brown University
Providence, RI#13A
Brown University is a private Ivy League school located in Providence, Rhode Island. The university was founded in 1764 making it the third oldest institute of higher learning in New England (and … read more
New York University
New York, NY#14A
Founded in 1831, New York University (NYU) is private, four-year, coeducational, nonprofit research university in New York City. The university’s central campus is located in Manhattan in the … read more
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ#15A
The University of Arizona (locally referred to as UA or U of A) is located in Tucson, Arizona. U of A was founded in 1885 and it the oldest four-year university in the state. University of … read more
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT#16A
Brigham Young University (BYU) is located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church. It is the third largest … read more
Auburn University
Auburn University, AL#17A
Auburn University has a unique mission that is based on a long tradition of service and access. The institution serves the citizens and residents of Alabama through high quality instructional, … read more
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA#18A
Most commonly referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, its official name is Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. LSU is a public university that is … read more
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN#19A-
Purdue University is a world-class research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Established as a land-grant university in 1869, the West Lafayette campus is the flagship university of … read more
University of Washington
Seattle, WA#20A-
The University of Washington, often referred to as UW, UDub, or simply Washington, is a public research university located in Seattle, Washington. It is a Public Ivy League institution and a … read more
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