An undergraduate gets into Univ A and Univ B. Which one does he choose?
A highly promising young researcher is recruited as a faculty member by univ A and univ B. Which does he choose?
The difference between these questions also explains why some ratings place large, public research universities in the top few spots, and why in others (like us news), none of them crack the top 20.
Of course, top faculty and research can be a draw for undergraduates, so they aren't totally unrelated, but grad (especially phd) students are far more influenced by the second question as well.
An undergraduate gets into Univ A and Univ B. Which one does he choose?
A highly promising young researcher is recruited as a faculty member by univ A and univ B. Which does he choose?
The difference between these questions also explains why some ratings place large, public research universities in the top few spots, and why in others (like us news), none of them crack the top 20.
Of course, top faculty and research can be a draw for undergraduates, so they aren't totally unrelated, but grad (especially phd) students are far more influenced by the second question as well.