Utter bullocks! Study after study demonstrates these "ratings" are skewed and in many cases outright flawed or corrupted in favor or high budget institutions. Little ratings actually go into things of merit such as pedagogy, capacity of instruction, competency of student body, etc.
If we ranked Universities by actual meaningful substance I wonder where our university students would actually rank. Some of these "prestigious" institutions might end up mid rank.
I'm especially skeptical given the recent trends in STEM subjects. If they gave meaningful inquiries, then I'd be unsurprised if colleges like St. Johns College in Annapolis or Santa Fe, or Reed College here in Portland Oregon, or the Finish universities came out far higher in rankings. These are ivy or leet educated people who are ranking based upon broken standards. Is it any wonder our school students continue to call behind internationally on standards?
Since the early 1990s academic rigor has flatlined. There are means to both teach well and teach with substance. The American formal schooling system has failed in these measures for the past two decades. I would be unsurprised if in a number of years American students began leaving America for other countries. The only advantage these institutions have is capital investitures. With time, this will change. When it does, these institutions will become second rate.
I don't say this to be cruel, but to kick people in the butt. Even if I had the opportunity, I'd much rather study at a school that emphasizes learning and rigor over the size of the instructor's paycheck or research budget.
It's really quite a joke.
: http://onforb.es/1anG1zJ
