Overall ranking vs department ranking

[abcd]

What is more important overall national ranking of university or ranking of particular department?

[krokobazuka]

Depends...

For undergrad - overall, because you'd see a lot of times Duke biology major getting job at Investment Bank over econ major from UNC...

for grad school, department ranking for sure.

[Tokugawa]

In Japan, in terms of recruitment overall ranking is more important. Only graduates of so-called "Top 6 universities" have access to exclusive job offer information, get invitations to specially organized alumni parties etc.