Sailla-I agree with much of what you write but would love a source that suggests a link between “rankings” and research dollars. I have been up close to targeted research grants to universities and I don’t recall the “rank” ever being part of the dialogue. Boeing doesn’t decide how to allocate research funds on whether Georgia Tech’s ranking has moved up or down three spots. Merck isn’t worried about an arms race between JHU and Pitt. Bottom line- expertise and critical mass of cutting edge researchers and facilities attracts research money and no credible grant proposal is going to tout the fact that some magazine ranked Princeton over Stanford or vice versa.
The arms race has a LOT to do with ego, and a lot to do with demographics (states with shrinking numbers of 14-16 year olds need to get some teenagers- fast- from neighboring states).
I’d feel a lot better about the fabulous living accomodations at my own state flagship if there was a direct path between the espresso bars in the lobby and research grants.
Do you have such data??? I haven’t seen it.