http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges
USC @ 23 better than UCLA @ 24 !
That’s always good news of course. But I actually prefer the college rankings at https://colleges.niche.com/rankings/best-colleges/
… there the differential is #10 USC vs #26 UCLA
To me, the Niche Rankings are far more accurate than the US News Rankings, especially in terms of qualifying and quantifying all of the aspects that eventually prove important to students once they are there in attendance.
For example, I attended JHU. I personally think that the Niche ranking at 39 is far more accurate than the US News ranking at 10. And now that I am a parent, evaluating my child’s experience at college (USC) and also experiencing all of the resources, communication, web presence, alumni networking, etc. that USC makes available, I find Niche’s ranking of USC (where my daughter attends) at 10 to be far more accurate that the US News rank of 23. USC is quite simply a well-oiled machine in terms of delivering all that a parent perceives to be important while also making the total college experience what the student wants too.
There is simply a lot more to the college experience overall than just ranking undergraduate majors or perceived reputations from afar. So… to this year’s applicants, choose wisely, look at the Niche rankings and survey results too… and above all – visit each finalist school in person before deciding.
Good luck…