<p>^^ Sparkeye is citing a graduate program ranking.
In psychology research output, all these schools may be about equal, but at the undergraduate level Northwestern, Columbia, etc. are much more selective and their average class sizes are much smaller. They also draw far more students (as a percentage of total enrollment) from out of state. These factors may or may not matter to you. </p>
<p>School … % of classes < 20 … % of classes >= 50
TOSU … 31.5% … 20.2%
NU … 75% … 6.3%
Columbia… 79.7% … 7.1%</p>
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<p>Are you seeking merit aid or need-based aid? It makes a big difference in your strategy. Generally, merit aid is very hard to get (or non-existent) at the most selective private schools; however, the need-based aid tends to be relatively generous at the same schools (if you qualify for it).</p>