- Harvard University
- Johns Hopkins University
- Stanford University
- University of Pennsylvania (Perelman)
- Columbia University (Vagelos)
College Characteristics
College rankings are based on a variety of factors, including academic reputation, student selectivity, faculty resources, financial resources, and alumni giving. These factors are all important indicators of the quality of a college education.
One of the most important factors in college rankings is faculty quality. The quality of a college’s faculty is a major determinant of the quality of its educational programs. Top-ranked colleges have faculty who are experts in their fields and who are committed to teaching and research.
Another important factor in college rankings is student-faculty ratio. The student-faculty ratio is a measure of the amount of individual attention that students receive from their professors. Top-ranked colleges have low student-faculty ratios, which means that students have more opportunities to interact with their professors and get the help they need.