<p>What are the five most important factors about a college which give it its ranking?</p>
<p>48 views and not one response? I know everyone has his own opinion, but that's the whole point! No comments?</p>
<p>There are so different rankings, each with their own methodology. Your question is too vague to be answered.</p>
<p>They are ranked however you like. Choose colleges that fit you. See </p>
<p>for lots of colleges that are written up in lots of third-party information sources.</p>
<p>No, I must've stated the question the wrong way.... What I meant to ask was, what factors about a college give it its reputation? I wasn't asking what college is right for me. For example, why is Harvard one of the best universities in the world? What makes Harvard an excellent place to pursue education? Please answer the question in general form. Just the things which make a college great.</p>
<p>Admitting really smart students helps a college's reputation immensely. Student characteristics are often a factor in college rankings. Having a big pile of money helps a college have a good reputation too. Some rating guides look at what percentage of alumni give money to their alma mater, or what the size of the college endowment is, or (even better) what the size of the endowment per student is. I'll let other participants mention other factors.</p>
<p>The peer assessment score is the most important.</p>
<p>Just some passing comments... usualy ratings are some combination</p>
<ol>
<li>Student Stats--SAT/ Class Rank/ NAtional MErit Finalists</li>
<li>Peer Review- polls of other academics and their feelings about quality</li>
<li>Research Dollers -- NAtional grants/ amount based on publication numbers</li>
<li>Schol Financials- Endowments for example.</li>
<li>Class Stats- Student/Teacher ratio, </li>
</ol>
<p>So some of these become circular and self-fulfilling.. but that is the way it goes. 'Harvard is known as a good school so good students go there, peers then think it is a good school so more student go there, and since it is good more money flow to it so good students go there .......................</p>
<p>Outcome statistics, such as percentages of applicants admitted to law and medical schools and those earning advanced degrees.</p>
<p>The quality of your fellow students, followed by everything else.</p>