University Rankings

US News and World Report just released its annual Best Colleges Rankings for 2012. I was pleasantly surprised to see how The University of Memphis ranked in several concentrations. Memphis ranked in Audiology (#12), Biology, Clinical Psychology (#79), Fine Arts, Math, Nursing, Psychology, Public Affairs, Rehabilitation Counseling (#17), and Speech-Language Pathology (#15). The University of Memphis also ranked highly in several categories regarding their enormous selection for their available Online Programs. To see all of the rankings and scores, follow the link. I also noticed that The University of Memphis has a very low retention rate and an incredibly low 4-Year Graduation Rate. At 13%, I feel much better that I have been in and out of college since 2005, and am not near graduation.
As I look at schools that predominately rank in the Top 20 in all categories and concentrations, I notice that they are all very, very expensive. It makes me wonder....

"Are these schools REALLY worth of these ranks, or are they so overpriced that they can buy whatever rank they desire?" 


It also makes me thankful that I am not an attendee of one of these universities. I cannot imagine having $150,000-$200,000 in student loans. The dollar figure of my student loans seems a pittance in comparison, but a large sum nonetheless.
As I continue my college experience-the quest for knowledge-and attempt to find my calling, I hope to continue to use this source to determine possible schools to further my education.