Would you trade your state's colleges for the UC?

[annasdad]

<p>

@coureur

If it’s meaningless to try to rank schools, then on what basis do you claim that the Univ. of Illinois is “world class?” Clearly you rank it among the world’s best and better than a lot of other schools … You must have some criteria for deciding that Illinois is among the world’s best and not down in the college cellar.

</p>

<p>When I use the term “world class” I mean “well-known and respected outside its immediate geographical area.” I imply nothing about objective quality, either in general or (particularly) as it would affect an individual student with individual needs.</p>

<p>

The main difference is USNews and all those other rankings have written down their criteria where we can all judge their validity.

</p>

<p>Indeed, and to give any credibility to a ranking that is influenced by what high school guidance counselors think about a college or how much faculty members get paid is beyond naive.</p>