<p>The acceptance rate counts for 1.5% of the total ranking in USNews so it isn’t a major factor in the rankings. The fact that it is the first column shown in the table makes it seem more inportant than it is. </p>
<p>Yield rates do not count at all in USNews. Private univerities (outside the top 20 or so) have low yield rates due to their cost. Many applicants might prefer to go to a private school but end up going to a state school for financial reasons.</p>