Help with US News Rankings

College Search & Lists
1

<p>I was browsing the college rankings on US News and I am a little confused. </p>

<p>What is the list for “Best Colleges” since there are so many lists? Is it the National University list? [National</a> Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/national-search/]National”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/national-search/)</p>

<p>Why aren’t all schools on that list? For example, if you search for Florida Southern, Siena College, SUNY Cortland, Suffolk University etc. they are not found/ranked on that list, but they are ranked by US News, here:</p>

<p>[Siena</a> College - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/2816]Siena”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/2816)
[Suffolk</a> University - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/2218]Suffolk”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/college/items/2218)</p>

<p>What if a college is ranked…40th in “Universities-Master’s (North)” does that mean it is better than a school ranked…80th in “National University Rankings?” </p>

<p>How can you compare a school that isn’t ranked in “National” yet ranked in “Masters” with a school ranked in “National”?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

2

<p>One way to compare schools on the Masters list with schools on the National list is to compare SAT scores. For example, Villanova from the Masters list would be comparable to Syracuse on the national list in terms of selectivity.</p>

3

<p>It’s like having Road and Track do a rankings issue in which they rank the Top Hybrids, Top Subcompacts, Top Trucks, Top SUVs, etc. Is the #1 truck better than the #20 subcompact? Not if you’re concerned about gas mileage. Is the #1 subcompact better than the #20 truck? Not if you have cargo to haul. It all just has to do with what you’re looking for. In general though, the top halves of the National Universities and National Liberal Arts Colleges constitute the schools about which most people have heard. Many of the schools in the other categories would draw a regional student body and be little-known outside that region.</p>

4

<p>Do yourself a favor and dump that beauty pageant list. There is no such thing as a “best” school. There are only the best schools for you.</p>