2012 Best Colleges and Universities

What would the autumn be without the release of the U.S. News & World Report ranking of best colleges and universities. And what would the list be without Harvard - founded in 1636 and the college of at least eight U.S. presidents - at the top, followed Princeton and Yale.

The report ranks about 1,600 schools. The method of research behind it is questioned by most schools, except probably Harvard. Statisticians also claim the list is junk. Nevertheless, students and their parents continue to use it as an important guide.

The most critical thing for U.S. News, once a major American weekly magazine, is that people pay for the full guide. Only $34.95 for the entire report. A deal if one was ever to be had.

Douglas A. McIntyre

Filed under: 24/7 Wall St. Wire, Media