One signal

MIT has been ranked No. 1 in the United States for undergraduate engineering, computer science and economics, according to MIT CSAIL’s account of the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings.

Why it matters

That gives MIT’s computing operation a useful bit of bragging material, although rankings measure reputation and methodology as much as the experience of any individual student. They are a signal, not a laboratory result wearing a graduation cap. For prospective students, the practical takeaway is that MIT remains at the front of the pack in the published undergraduate tables. The next argument is whether league tables tell applicants enough about teaching, cost and research opportunities. Should university rankings matter when choosing where to study computer science, or are they mostly polished prestige with excellent lighting?

Discuss: Should university rankings matter when choosing where to study computer science, or are they mostly polished prestige with excellent lighting?

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