Many students rely on college rankings to help them choose a college. Organizations like Princeton Review and US News & World Report publish annual lists of the best colleges and universities in each region and nationwide. These rankings can help students in their search, but they should not be the only factor influencing a person's search for schools. Wikipedia is also a good resource to research school rankings.
There are several pro's of using college rankings. First, they can help students choose a general "range" of schools that fit their GPA, test scores, and budget. Rankings also provide information about the quality of research materials available at the school, facilities, and overall student happiness. College rankings can also be a great tool to compare schools side-by-side.
However, rankings do have their downsides. The most significant is the obvious fact that objective data cannot capture any school fully. There is so much more that should go into selecting a college than the "raw data" that rankings are based on. Students need to consider other factors such as the school's distance from their home, how they might fit in at a particular school, and what programs are offered at each school. Finding the right college depends on far more than college rankings alone.