<p>You’d be surprised how much money does come into play in the rankings.</p>
<p>“…average spending per full-time-equivalent student on instruction, research, public service, academic support, student services, institutional support, and operations and maintenance (for public institutions only)”</p>
<p>“The average percentage of undergraduate alumni of record who donated money to the college or university.”</p>
<p>“The average faculty pay and benefits are adjusted for regional differences in cost of living.”</p>
<p>[Methodology:</a> Undergraduate Ranking Criteria and Weights - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-colleges/2010/08/17/methodology-undergraduate-ranking-criteria-and-weights-2011.html]Methodology:”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/best-colleges/2010/08/17/methodology-undergraduate-ranking-criteria-and-weights-2011.html)</p>