Newsweek's take on college rigor?

I stumbled upon a list of 'Most Rigorous Colleges' by Newsweek and wanted to know more. How credible is this list and what constitutes 'rigor' according to Newsweek, exactly?

Responding to your question, there are indeed different ways that various publications rate the rigor of an institution. While I'm not certain about Newsweek's specific criteria for measuring academic rigor in their rankings, most publications generally use a combination of factors to determine the level of academic challenge a school offers.

Common criteria often include the school's acceptance rate, the average standardized test scores of admitted students, the competitiveness of the major programs at the institution, the school's retention rate (the percentage of students who return after their first year), and graduation rates, among other factors. Some publications might also take into account student surveys about workload, class difficulty, and study hours.

You might also want to consider teacher-to-student ratios and the school's commitment to undergraduate education. A high faculty-to-student ratio and strong focus on undergraduates may indicate smaller class sizes and a lot of one-on-one attention, which could contribute to a challenging academic environment.

However, keep in mind that these lists should be only a guide. You should also visit the official website of the college and try to talk to current students or alumni to get a personal perspective on the academic rigor and the college’s environment. All of these will provide an even clearer idea about whether the school's academic rigor matches your educational goals. Always remember, the "fit" of the university is crucial, not just the perceived rigor.