* Academic reputation: Judged by surveys of academics and employers.
* Research output: Measured by publications, citations, and grants.
* Faculty resources: Including faculty-to-student ratios, faculty awards, and doctoral degrees held by faculty.
* Student selectivity: Based on admission rates and the academic credentials of incoming students (SAT/ACT scores, high school GPA).
* Financial resources: Including endowment size and per-student spending.
* Graduation and retention rates: Indicating student success and persistence.
* Alumni giving: Reflecting alumni satisfaction and support.
* Diversity: Measuring the representation of different groups within the student body and faculty.
It's crucial to understand that college rankings are subjective and should be interpreted cautiously. Different ranking systems use different weighting schemes, leading to variations in results. A college's rank doesn't necessarily reflect its overall quality or suitability for a particular student. Factors like program quality, campus culture, and individual learning style are far more important than a single numerical ranking when choosing a college.