List my schools from most academically known to least?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m just doing this for opinion, can you rank these schools from best known (either most well known, prestigious, academically revered, etc) to least?
Here are my schools I applied to: University of Miami, Penn State University, Boston University, NYU, Syracuse University, Pepperdine University, University of Southern California, Chapel Hill, Appalachian State, University of South Carolina, American University, and George Washington University.

2

I’d put UNC-Chapel Hill as a clear #1. After that, it will be very subjective opinions, with some variation depending on field(s) of study. Penn State has some of the most enthusiastic alumni/ae in the country, and they will always say it’s the best. It is an enormous state flagship, and so it probably lacks some of the social prestige of NYU or USC (not So. Carolina). I don’t know whether it’s as strong in certain liberal arts as BU, GWU, or NYU. Its location can’t compare with BU, NYU, GWU, or USC. Syracuse is very strong in Arts and Media, but it has the worst weather. GWU would be best for Poli. Sci., Govt., or International Affairs. I know very little about Appalachian State, or about So. Carolina. If I were to choose my own list, in order, as a hypothetical, undecided Arts & Science student, it would be as follows: UNC, NYU, BU, GWU, USC, UMiami, AU, Syracuse, Penn State, So. Carolina, Appalachian State. I have trouble including Pepperdine. It has a breathtakingly beautiful location, and is supposed to have some decent departments, but it is very religious and secular students might be uncomfortable.

3

Solely based off prestige: Chapel Hill, USC (California), NYU, BU, Pepperdine, GW, Miami, Penn State, American, Syracuse, South Carolina, Appalachian

4

This would vary based major, but based on job prospects, I would rank them as:

Tier 1 - USC (California), Penn State, Chapel Hill,

Tier 2 - NYU, BU, Syracuse, Pepperdine, South Carolina, GWU

Tier 3 - Miami, American

Tier 4- Appalachian

They are very different institutions, and I have a problem seeing some seriously considering all of them for applications.

5

Chapel Hill
NYU
University of Southern California
BU
George Washington
American
Pepperdine
Penn State
South Carolina
Miami
Syracuse
Appalachian State