The change in Columbia's placement this year in the list of America's best universities is largely the result of revisions U.S. News made in the interpretation of the results of its survey. Great research universities tend not to change abruptly from one year to the next; alterations in the survey methodology and shifts in the weight the magazine applied to some statistics are responsible. Specifically, student selectivity, in which Columbia improved, was given less weight, while graduation rates, in which Columbia did not improve, were given more. The University is pleased that its ratings rose in the categories of measurement considered the most significant: in academic reputation, in student application and matriculation rates and in alumni satisfaction.

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