With the release of US News & World Reports’s 2025 Best National Universities rankings right in the middle of application season, parents around the world are wringing their hands over their children’s college lists. Parents, teachers, counselors, and students have used this list as a baseline for deciding where to apply – or where to accept an offer of admission – for generations. But the question begs – what makes a college’s rank so special? Is it really worth all the hype?
What does “best” mean anyway?
The most important thing to recognize is that US News & World Report is not the be-all, end-all of college ranking lists. In recent years, they have come under scrutiny for opaque methodology (what metrics are they really using?), what some term “revenge rankings” as schools that scuffle with US News tend to drop down the list (looking at you, Columbia), and incomplete information as some schools have refused to provide information in protest of the capricious nature of the lists.
Other college ranking lists have risen in popularity over the years as publications like Forbes, Niche, and Wall Street Journal have curated their own, each based on slightly different criteria. Some lists prioritize return on investment, focusing on lifetime career earnings; others emphasize metrics such as Pell Grant recipient graduation rates, social mobility, and global recognition.
How can I use the lists?
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to use the rankings as one of many steps in the research process. While Princeton may make the top five spot in most of these lists, if you want to study business, it won’t be on your personal top 5 list – or any list. It doesn’t offer a business major.
For most lists, the top 100 schools are typically the same universities, shuffled. These schools are all generally prestigious in the sense that they are well-recognized, have deep pockets (no UArts-style closures in their immediate future!), great retention rates, and a variety of program offerings. However, that doesn’t mean the 101st school is any worse than the 100th. Use the list as a general jumping-off point, where you can play with the filters to find schools that have the programs you want and are generally well-established with good outcomes.
What else should I consider when building a college list?
There are many factors that go into deciding which school is right for a student, and many of them are deeply personal. Some general factors, however, are:
- Location
- Size
- Class sizes/styles (lecture vs colloquium)
- Programs of interest
- Student life (clubs, volunteering, study abroad)
- Career outcomes/opportunities (internships, career centers, professional development)
- Price and aid packages
- Student support (mental health, accommodations, accessibility, etc.)
All in all, the lists can be a helpful tool, but they are only one (very minor!) part of the process – and with the right expert advice, they don’t need to be considered at all.
Overwhelmed?
Aristotle Circle has the expert knowledge, experience, and resources to help take the pressure off. Our NACAC-certified college admissions counselors know what it takes for a student to not only succeed, but to thrive during their college years. Our comprehensive college admissions package offers unlimited one-to-one counseling sessions and assistance through every step of the college admissions process, from selecting high school courses to summer programs to navigating the wait list. Visit us online at http://www.aristotlecircle.com or give us a call at 212-360-2301 to get a free quote today.
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