Should one pick a college for its wholesomeness or for major strength

The foremost reason to go to a college is to learn in the areas that one’s interested in, even if s/he hasn’t picked, or settled on, a major. I would look at each college’s catalog (or similar materials) in details for major/minor requirements for the potential majors and/or minors, course offerings (primarily electives) in the areas of interests, instructors and their background, ease with which to customize one’s program (bespoke major or combination of majors/minors to fit one’s goal), and goals and outcomes (yes, track records) for these majors/minors. Prestige is helpful opening some doors in certain sectors but is really a secondary factor. Selectivity by itself without knowing the details on the pool of applicants (the denominator) is pretty much meaningless. Ranking is even less useful and often misleading.