What colleges are underrated?

What are the most underrated colleges in the top 30 US News & World Report rankings?

• I have to think Carnegie Mellon is up there (Yes, I may be biased because I went there but I know how recent graduates place in terms of jobs and how hard the school is).

• Answer:

  Short Answer: I'm going to answer this question at the level of methodology, not at the level of specific college. Arguably those that rank high in other ranking systems.  Each ranking system priviledges a particular criteria and list of metrics. For instance those that rank highly in Princeton Review and the Forbes Ranking are both ranking systems that address another set of metrics (because the metrics that justify those rankings simply don't show up or aren't weighted so they show up).  If you look to business and entrepreneurship, you can find still other Ranking systems. Reflections on Academic Value and Ranking That begs the question of how you determine value: 1. Academic 2. Reputation/Recruitment (this should probably include quality and depth of alumni network) 3. Social and cultural experience (including activities, learning abroad, sports, work-out facilities, etc....) 4. Career preparation and learning I think you have to make these based on a department by department basis (at least dividing the humanities, science, and business).  Even then, certain professors are As, others Bs, and an assortment below that. Given that, its not surprising that a CMU would be preferred.  For instance, its engineering, programming/IT, and business programs are all probably ranked pretty highly--along with policy and design.  It seems to maintain specialities--while other universities may not provide a) that focus b) that community of share experience across departments.  And its going to uniquely attract a particular type of person--which is a great fit to its programs.  My guess is most people leave because of grades versus lack of fit with the culture.  (Although, thats obviously pure conjecture on my part.) Wall Street Journal Recruiter-based Ranking If your question is one of pure economics, the Wall Street Journal ranking based on recruiters poll is probably the best way to determine (given lack of access to employment data and salary--much less salary over time with cost of living adjustments made): http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704554104575435563989873060.html The WSJ has an overall ranking and a career-based ranking.  Unfortunately, its doesn't have great depth on the career specific rankings (ie I believe its only 6 colleges deep). State Universities tend to do well: Penn State, Texas A & M, Illinois, Purdue, Arizona State.  Although, in the rankings by career, this trend may be less prominent. If you check out CMU's rankings for Computer Science, its #1 and its #21 in engineering: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703376504575491704156387646.html?mod=WSJ_PathToProfessions_MiddleTopHeadSumm To be fair, CMU also rankings #1 in US New and World Report's rankings of computer science programs (on the graduate level)--perhaps that helps contextualize the other ranking you were unhappy with: http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/computer-science-rankings Assessing Niche and Synergistic Value: I think one other way which might be helpful to assess the economic question would be to take business rankings, its overall ranking, and perhaps its engineering rankings.  This type of ranking would privilege schools which developed communities across departments.  Some would argue that adding the fine arts ranking (or one or more of the humanities) would help provide a better criteria--so that you knew your freshman and sophomore classes in those areas would be top notch as well. Other Ranking Options: There is the option of the UK ranking system which is available here.  I haven't contemplated the list or algorithm much.  But here it is: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/north-america.html  CMU is 21 (20 if you take out Toronto)