The National Universities category includes research-producing institutions that offer a broad range of undergraduate majors, plus master's and doctoral degrees. Schools in this group can be either public or private. Tier one schools include the top 200 and are listed in rank. Ivy League schools such as Harvard, Yale and Princeton regularly dominate the top ten spots.
Tier two national schools include colleges and universities that didn't make the top 200 list. These schools are listed alphabetically rather than in order of rank. Prospective students should check program rankings in their area of interest. Schools listed in the second tier may also have top ranking specialty programs.
Liberal arts colleges are smaller and focus on undergraduate programs. Studies are often more tightly focused, and these schools award the majority of degrees in liberal arts fields. Like the tier one national rankings, this list includes the top 200 schools in order of ranking. While students should consider rankings, best personal fit is the most important criteria in selecting a college.
Tier two includes liberal arts schools that did not rank among 200. These schools are listed alphabetically and not by rank. Students should note because the tier system is based on points, the differences separating a tier one school from a tier two school can be minor. Overall rankings may not show that lower ranked schools can have top ranked programs.