Very often studies like the U.S. News and World Report Surveys are conducted in United States to assess the respective reputation of the educational institutions working in the country. However, there has been a growing resentment against such ranking where reputation played a major part. The furor reached its zenith in the year 2007 when nearly 80% of the institutions refused to participate in the ranking not only during that year but also for any time to come.

However that is only one part of the survey conducted and there are multiple other parts that comprise nearly 75% of the survey conducted. Participation in such surveys was left to the individual institutions. Many universities, colleges, and schools agreed to participate in an alternative format where detailed information about the institution is disseminated for benefit of all concerned making it easier for the families and students to search the colleges and schools of their convenience.

Using information technology in its very refined form in conjunction with the organizations imparting higher education, they intended to create a universal database. Important organizations like the National Association of the Independent Colleges and Universities as well as the Council of Independent Colleges joined the movement.

Such decisions taken by the group of universities and colleges in United States was resented by the media as they considered the measurement of intangibles of the college vital and also pointed out those characteristics cannot be assessed using statistical data. At the same time the reputation of the school can be a great catalyst in getting fast employmen.

Moreover, though the survey was subjective in nature, it is an accepted methodology in the industrial circles where one takes to such method to find out the utility and usefulness of rival industries. US News has been providing the exact information for multiple years by now and any other agency is likely to make mistakes in assessment.