<p>"Third Tier" is usually based on rankings, because that is the only way you can classify schools and thus bestow a "tiered" system on them. Usually Third Tier schools have poor funding, limited grants for research and faculties that are unimpressive. However, some third tier schools will have specific programs that are very good. An example would be FSU that, although not a third tier school, is by no means a first tier school, and yet it has one of the best Film programs in America.</p>