Present net worth, benefit/cost, and internal rate of return are considered for ranking investments. In some cases, rankings can be contradictory, and the investment criterion can influence inter‐project allocations. There are situations, however, when ranking equivalence is assured. In this article, conditions for equivalence in ranking investments are presented using simple graphics and algebra. The conditions are restrictive, and can be effective in demonstrating the need for discretion in selecting an economic criterion for evaluating investments.