<p>The technique of asking industry leaders to rate their peer competitors is a commonly accepted practice. </p>
<p>PA is a subjective score. The subjective tendencies tend to be weeded out when you survey a vast number of academians… if you take a look at the macro scale of things…</p>
<p>When you get a statistically significant response from respected members of the higher education community… the higher sample size will legitimize the results… If the subjective opinion of a vast number of academics think Princeton is no. 1… then Princeton is probably no. 1! Simple as that.</p>
<p>46% is considered a very good response rate for a mail survey like the USNews’ PA survey.</p>
<p>A high response rate is the key to legitimizing a survey’s results. When a survey elicits responses from a large percentage of its target population, the findings are seen as more accurate. </p>
<p>Low response rates, on the other hand, can damage the credibility of a survey’s results, because the sample is less likely to represent the overall target population.</p>
<p>It’s also been proven that PA scores can be accurately predicted by figures already present in the USNews rankings.</p>