In higher education,
college and university rankings are determined by any combination of factors. Rankings can be based on subjectively perceived "quality," on some combination of empirical statistics, or on surveys of educators, scholars, students, prospective students, or others. Rankings are often consulted by prospective students and their
parents in the university and
college admissions process.
The US News and World Report is the most influential ranking in the
US. Schools are split into four tiers, with the best being first, and then schools are ranked within each of tier. The first tier is reserved for only the top 50 schools and any
college ranked below 50 but above the third tier is part of the second tier. The fourth tier is reserved for the bottom of the barrel colleges and universities.