The paper reviews the neoliberal turn in education and its influence on MGIMO educational realities. Rankings as a part of this turn have a noticeable impact on the relationship between the university and society, as well as on the way MGIMO policies teaching staff. Ranking influence is explored through a case study of results of MGIMO language teaching quality poll conducted among students of two major faculties – faculty of international relations and faculty of journalism. The questionnaire used is an innovative tool in development, and the goal of this tool is to provide a fair and complete ranking in accordance with sociological prospective on education. Poll data include 833 participants from both faculties and is studied through statistical procedures. Authors conclude that faculty plays a noticeable role in defining motivation for scores given, therefore only a ranking that takes students’ educational background in consideration is to be considered fair. This study opens a discussion on the role of qualitative factors in quantitative methods.