These are the best college presidents of the century—according to one list

You’ve waded through all the other rankings: the top colleges and universities, prettiest campuses, best college towns—but did you know there is also a list that purports to rank best college presidents?

A new report from the American Enterprise Institute ranked more than 400 current and former college and university presidents who served between the 2001-02 and 2022-23 academic years. The center-right think tank analyzed leaders based on how much they contributed to improving access, affordability and student success measures during their tenure.

“The rankings reveal that some college presidents are superstars,” writes report author Cody L. Christensen.

Unlike other major American sectors, institutions of higher education do not provide public data as to how their respective leaders contribute to their organization’s overall success, Christensen argues. This ranking aims to help students, families and policymakers compare college presidents more accurately—and issue accountability to those performing less-than-stellar.

Several key findings from the report include:

• The “superstars” dominating the top of the list didn’t lead elite universities.
• On average, presidents modestly increased access to underrepresented populations and improved graduation rates. However, out-of-pocket costs to cover tuition and fees rose by an average of $100 per student annually, after accounting for inflation.

Here are the 10 best college presidents since 2001, according to the American Enterprise Institute. The ranking aimed to evaluate each president’s rate of positive change at their institution rather than any highest absolute outcome—because each leader begins and ends their career within a different context. The length of their tenure can differ, as well as their institutions’ missions and baseline numbers.

1. Gary Thomas (2001-2005), University of Missouri-Rolla
2. James Harris (2016-2023), University of San Diego
3. Richard McCormick (2004-2012), Rutgers University
4. Jacqueline Moloney (2016-2022), University of Massachusetts Lowell
5. Robert Davila (2007-2010), Gallaudet University
6. Renu Khator (2009-2023), University of Houston
7. Heather Wilson (2020-2023), University of Texas at El Paso
8. Ronald Johnson (2016-2019), Clark Atlanta University
9. Bob Kerrey (2001-2011), New School
10. Nasser Paydar (2016-2022), Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

For the full ranking, click here.

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