College Tiers

College Tiers for World University rankings are as follows. While we endeavor to provide an accurate rank for each college, the prospective student should do their due diligence and determine which college is best for them by researching a college (location, field of study, faculty, cost etc.). Refer to Researching a College. for more information.

College TierCollege RankAnalogous MetalDiscussion
Tier 1 Colleges1-50PlatinumThe Top Tier colleges. Typically difficult to attend, especially colleges which are small in large urban areas (high population density).
Tier 2 Colleges51-100GoldColleges on the cusp of being tier 1 colleges. Typically difficult to attend, especially colleges which are small in large urban areas (high population density).
Tier 3 Colleges101-500Silver Colleges which are very good. Colleges should be evaluated by the prospective student before attending.
Tier 4 Colleges501- 1000BronzeColleges which still may have some great attributes and may provide a great education, but should be evaluated critically by the prospective student.
College Tiers

Notes:

  1. College tier does not necessarily correlate with admission requirements. Some Tier 1 colleges have higher admission rates (i.e. >40%).
  2. Some large colleges which are very good may have difficulty filling enrollment vacancies.
  3. The number and quality of applicants varies on any given year.
  4. Easier admission to a given college does not necessarily correlate with ease of course material.
  5. College Ranking is a composite of college attributes and does not reflect the ability of a college to provide programs in a specific area.
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