<p>What qualifies a school to get on the Top National Universities list? It seems a bit confusing. </p>
<p>For instance, Villanova (which isn't on the list) seems to be a much better school than, for instance, the University of Kentucky (which accepts like 80% of applicants....yet is #120). Can someone explain how this works?</p>
<p>US News considers Villanova a Master's university. US News has four main categories. However, the categories can be a bit blurred at times. For example, some LACs like Bryn Mawr and Wesleyan offer graduate degrees.</p>
<p>1) National universities offer a wide range of undergraduate majors as well as master's and doctoral degrees; many strongly emphasize research.</p>
<p>2) Masters universities provide a full range of undergraduate and master's programs, but few, if any, doctoral programs. They are ranked within four regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.</p>
<p>3) Liberal arts colleges emphasize undergraduate education and award at least half their degrees in the liberal arts. Most are private institutions, but 20 are public.</p>
<p>4) Comprehensive colleges focus on undergraduate education and offer a range of degree programs in the liberal arts and in professional fields such as business, nursing, and education. They are ranked within four regions: North, South, Midwest, and West.</p>