It may make more sense to consider whether a college is acceptable or unacceptable in cost, academics, and environment.
For some students, an unacceptable ratings in any one can eliminate the college from the list. Then, among colleges which are at least acceptable in all three, the student can choose, knowing some may be better in some aspects but others may be better in other aspects.
However, some students, particularly those limited by available money / parent finances / financial aid, academic credentials that are not top-end, and/or parental limitations, may have to put up with marginal or unacceptable environment in order to get acceptable cost and academics due to limited college choices available.