<p>The difference is US News actually sends out surveys to particular people at colleges and then gets a portion returned. Payscale only uses the random people who happen to hear about and decide to use the website and fill out a return. There is no verification that you actually went to that school you claimed or that you earn what you claim. Basically crap on crap. A wonderful crap sandwich. Payscale makes US News look like the US Census.</p>