<p>I was wondering what criteria, and how often College Confidential ranks the colleges in it's post? It does not seem to mirror the US News Ranking. What stats do they use to make such claims? Do they have the numbers to back-up these ranks? Do the colleges give them advertising money to be placed in the premier viewing positions, or is there actual criteria for being posted in the "Top University" or "Top Liberal Arts Schools" lists? Who pays for CC's services? If they rate colleges based on number of viewings, then the colleges that they deem lesser would be in the alphabetised lists of colleges and not get the same exposure, hence fewer views by students and parents. ANyone have any factual information regarding this?</p>
<p>I think they are based on an old USNews ranking (top 25 or so). There has to be a cut off somewhere.</p>
<p>If they're basing their ranking on US News, they should state as much (copy rights), and if this is the case why aren't they keeping the list current annually? It seems like they are always updating other information on the site, and since this information is the heart of their website, I think it should be updated so people are receiving accurate information.</p>
<p>The same schools are always in the top 25. I don't think there is any school ranked in the US News Top 25 that is not listed as a top college.</p>
<p>Yes, there have been several changes over the last few years. If CC is using data from a specific source they should state the source and the date of the publication. I believe that it is standard research/foot note/copy right proceedure.</p>
<p>the lac schools listed indicate that usnews is not the only consideration. reed (top 50, but i understand making an exception here), whitman (top 40) and kenyon are listed over traditionally higher ranked schools like bucknell, colorado college and holy cross. also, wake forest is a somewhat conspicuous exception from the universities list, as it has historically been slightly more highly ranked than north carolina.</p>
<p>but on the whole, yes, it seems as if usnews was the source (though a relatively recent one, as harvey mudd has only been considered a liberal arts college for a few years).</p>
<p>as always, gotta give a shout out to connecticut college- a peer school of trinity, colby, bates, 1390 average SAT and 32% acceptance rate (much better than others on the list), yet notably absent..</p>