Harvard generally ranks lower in such "value-based" lists than it does in U.S. News & World Report. For example, the College ranked 19 in Kiplinger's and 43 in Money.

According to Director of Admissions Marlyn McGrath Lewis '70-'73, Harvard has not had a problem attracting lower- and middle-income students as a result of these rating systems.

"We try to address the perception that we're socioeconomically out of reach," Lewis says. "These rankings give very little credit to generous schools for the enormous scholarship assistance we give to students in need."

Provost David Minter of Rice University, which ranked number one in Kiplinger's and number two in Money, says that lesser-known schools such as Rice reap greater benefit from college rankings than schools like Harvard.

"Most of the top schools are on the coasts....We're smaller and younger, so it's hard to get recognition," Minter says. "As long as [ratings] exist, it's gratifying to be number one."

The Princeton Review, known for its SAT preparatory courses and books, also publishes a book entitled The Best 331 Colleges. While it lacks an overall-ranking scheme, the book has a section of top 10 lists based on statistics and surveys of students on campus.

Harvard was ranked sixth on the list for "Best Academic Experience," and had the seventh-best "Quality of Life." Harvard also received the top rating for its libraries and was named the "Toughest to Get Into."

Many college guidebooks, including the Princeton Review's Best 331 Colleges, advise students to select a college that fits their preferences rather than choose one simply because it tops the book's rankings.