How do I determine which colleges are considered the most prestigious in America?

Hi everyone, I'm a junior starting my college research and I've heard a lot of people talk about 'prestigious' colleges. But how do I determine which colleges are the most prestigious in America? I would really appreciate any advice on this!

In general, the term 'prestigious' when it comes to colleges and universities often refers to those with a high degree of academic rigor, recognized faculty, distinguished alumni, and a history of excellence in education and research.

One of the main resources students use to determine a college's prestige level is college rankings. These rankings are provided by organizations like U.S. News and World Report, Times Higher Education, and others. They rank schools based on a variety of factors such as academic reputation, graduation rates, faculty-to-student ratios, and, in some cases, even student satisfaction. Generally, colleges that frequently appear in the top 20 or 30 of these lists are considered highly prestigious.

Some of the most often mentioned prestigious colleges in the US are ones in the Ivy League: Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, University of Pennsylvania, Dartmouth, Brown, and Cornell. But prestige isn't limited to the Ivies! Schools like Stanford University, MIT, University of Chicago, or the 'Little Ivies' such as Amherst and Williams College are also highly renowned.

Remember, though, that while these universities are undeniably prestigious, they are also highly competitive and selective. It's crucial not to focus solely on prestige when choosing a college. Instead, consider factors such as fit, cost, location, culture, and whether the school offers strong programs in your areas of interest.

Moreover, because these schools are so selective, you should always make sure you have a balanced college list that includes reach schools (like the aforementioned prestigious schools), match schools (where your academic profile fits in the middle 50% of accepted students), and safety schools (where your academic profile is above the middle 50% of accepted students) which you would be happy to attend.