<p>Ranking is based on a survey by deans, only about half of which respond. Larger schools, those with a big name and regional schools known to the respondants will naturally do better. How can a person rate a school they know nothing about? Also, I think that certain departments are more “important” in rankings than others - a school with a well-known “specialty” department might fare better than a school with a good civil department. </p>
<p>Honestly, in my neck of the woods, Pitt and Penn State are considered pretty similar in quality. You should probably assess the particular department you are interested in, as well as the urban vs. rural environment. You probably can’t go wrong either way.</p>