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I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

I agree with John that the VSE is an excellent resource for peer institutions.  I also have used the US News and World Report categories.  Your institution will be grouped with similar institutions according to size and institutional offerings (degrees offered, etc.).  Looking at those institutions rating near you in your category is another option. Also, as John mentions, don't forget to select aspirational peers!  

Terry Callaghan

Senior Director, Management Consulting

Zuri Group

Proud aasp Executive Board Member

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

Thank you both! I did reach out to CASE and they were helpful to point toward some VSE reports that they produce and that identify peers for us that vary year to year. It's a helpful starting point to review how their algorithm works and what peers they've compared us to in the past. I do also appreciate the comment regarding identifying some aspirational peers in the mix.

One add-on question, how many peer institutions would you recommend identifying? My gut suggested 3-5 with 1 to 2 of those being aspirational but curious if there is a general rule of thumb or recommended number for statistical comparison. Thanks again!

I agree with John that the VSE is an excellent resource for peer institutions.  I also have used the US News and World Report categories.  Your institution will be grouped with similar institutions according to size and institutional offerings (degrees offered, etc.).  Looking at those institutions rating near you in your category is another option. Also, as John mentions, don't forget to select aspirational peers!  

Terry Callaghan

Senior Director, Management Consulting

Zuri Group

Proud aasp Executive Board Member

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

Thank you both! I did reach out to CASE and they were helpful to point toward some VSE reports that they produce and that identify peers for us that vary year to year. It's a helpful starting point to review how their algorithm works and what peers they've compared us to in the past. I do also appreciate the comment regarding identifying some aspirational peers in the mix.

One add-on question, how many peer institutions would you recommend identifying? My gut suggested 3-5 with 1 to 2 of those being aspirational but curious if there is a general rule of thumb or recommended number for statistical comparison. Thanks again!

I agree with John that the VSE is an excellent resource for peer institutions.  I also have used the US News and World Report categories.  Your institution will be grouped with similar institutions according to size and institutional offerings (degrees offered, etc.).  Looking at those institutions rating near you in your category is another option. Also, as John mentions, don't forget to select aspirational peers!  

Terry Callaghan

Senior Director, Management Consulting

Zuri Group

Proud aasp Executive Board Member

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

Thank you both! I did reach out to CASE and they were helpful to point toward some VSE reports that they produce and that identify peers for us that vary year to year. It's a helpful starting point to review how their algorithm works and what peers they've compared us to in the past. I do also appreciate the comment regarding identifying some aspirational peers in the mix.

One add-on question, how many peer institutions would you recommend identifying? My gut suggested 3-5 with 1 to 2 of those being aspirational but curious if there is a general rule of thumb or recommended number for statistical comparison. Thanks again!

I agree with John that the VSE is an excellent resource for peer institutions.  I also have used the US News and World Report categories.  Your institution will be grouped with similar institutions according to size and institutional offerings (degrees offered, etc.).  Looking at those institutions rating near you in your category is another option. Also, as John mentions, don't forget to select aspirational peers!  

Terry Callaghan

Senior Director, Management Consulting

Zuri Group

Proud aasp Executive Board Member

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah

Thank you both! I did reach out to CASE and they were helpful to point toward some VSE reports that they produce and that identify peers for us that vary year to year. It's a helpful starting point to review how their algorithm works and what peers they've compared us to in the past. I do also appreciate the comment regarding identifying some aspirational peers in the mix.

One add-on question, how many peer institutions would you recommend identifying? My gut suggested 3-5 with 1 to 2 of those being aspirational but curious if there is a general rule of thumb or recommended number for statistical comparison. Thanks again!

I agree with John that the VSE is an excellent resource for peer institutions.  I also have used the US News and World Report categories.  Your institution will be grouped with similar institutions according to size and institutional offerings (degrees offered, etc.).  Looking at those institutions rating near you in your category is another option. Also, as John mentions, don't forget to select aspirational peers!  

Terry Callaghan

Senior Director, Management Consulting

Zuri Group

Proud aasp Executive Board Member

I've been asked to lead an effort to identify a list of peers we can use to compare and benchmark our advancement progress. As a first step, I'm posting here to see if anyone has gone through a similar process or have thoughts on what are the best points of comparison to consider when identifying a good peer? To clarify, this is a peer group specifically for Advancement. While there could be overlap with other defined peer groups at the institution, it will not necessarily follow the same model used by admissions for example and can be distinct.

Thanks for your thoughts!
Leah