<p>What is the difference between the national ranking and the graduate school ranking. What should I focus on? If I should focus on one, what use is the other one? How can I utilize both lists simultaneously to come up with a better choice. </p>
<p>For example. Why is University of Illinois Urbana Champaign ranked #47 nationally, but 5th in engineering? Should I go to that school as an undergrad freshman rather than Cornell, who's ranked 15 nationally, but 10th in engineering?! Even though Cornell is more "prestigious" than Illinois? I'm slightly confused, and thank you!</p>
<p>Different methodologies. The national rankings use factors that favor private universities such as alumni giving. But, as you can see, for specific academic rankings, the publics stand with the best privates.</p>
<p>Of course which to attend depends on more important factors, such as environment and your out of pocket costs.</p>
<p>Easy answer: don’t focus on the rankings :P.</p>
<p>Long answer: outside of a few fields (e.g. i-banking) beyond a certain point rank doesn’t really matter. For engineering, both Cornell and Illinois are fantastic schools, and it’s more important to distinguish on the basis of individual program/ fit than rankings.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that many college students end up changing their majors, which is the danger of choosing a school that is strong in only one field. Which is not the case with either of the schools listed, but just a general comment.</p>