The annual U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings came out today, which got me thinking about how the process of choosing a new vehicle is not so different from selecting a college. A decision is preceded by dozens of questions—conscious or otherwise. How important is a brand name? What kind of return will I get from this investment? What can I expect from the experience—community, fun, prestige?
The stakes for choosing a college are arguably higher. And with hindsight being 20/20, I know there are quite a few people who would rethink their choice of college if they could (although I’m sure wherever you went was the “Harvard of the West, Arizona, Southern Florida”).
So if you happen to be in the market for a new car, here’s a chance to (sort of) make up for some of the errors of your youth.
See how U.S. News ranked the top college in five different categories and the auto manufacturer with similar brand attributes.
Best National University: Princeton
Selected for their comprehensive programs—a full range of undergraduate majors, and master's and Ph.D. programs—these colleges are also committed to groundbreaking research.
BMW
Any of the top-tier luxury vehicles could easily be high on the list, but BMW takes the highest honor for its dedication to research (fuel optimization, and hybrid, electric, and hydrogen energy efficiency technologies and connected car and safety innovations). With a full range of models and options across categories and classes—and never sacrificing luxury for anything—it’s like parking an Ivy League diploma in the driveway.
Best Liberal Arts College: Williams College
The National Liberal Arts Colleges focus on undergraduate education and award approximately half of their degrees in liberal arts.
Subaru
The spirit of exploration permeates liberal arts campuses—encouraging individual expression, philosophical questioning, and custom-designed majors. Students are free to study what they love and worry about how to make money doing it later. There is a shared sensibility with Subaru, which frowns on status and favors an emotional connection with owners (as evidenced in its “Love. It’s what makes a Subaru a Subaru” campaign). And, what better vehicle to take adventurous coeds rock climbing, desert camping, and geological digging than a Subaru?
Best A-plus School for B Students: Syracuse University (National Universities)
Highly rated colleges, which accept good students with subpar transcripts, are ideal for those with less impressive test scores or GPAs.
Ford
Ford offers first-rate products at accessible price points, including the SYNC infotainment system in most base-level models. The company has 
leveled the playing field for consumers looking for a quality vehicle at an economic price and because it has focused so much on creating a great product, buyers are proud of their savvy purchase. Even the Ford tagline “Go Further” sounds like an academic mantra.
Best Value School: Harvard (National Universities)
This ranking takes into account a school's academic quality and the net cost of attendance for a student who receives the average amount of need-based financial aid. Any school with a higher quality program—and a lower cost—is a better deal.
Porsche
It’s hard to refer to Harvard or Porsche as a great “value” without a privileged smirk. But when you look at the number of senior executives with Harvard on their bio, it’s easier to see how the money spent is easily amortized over years of high earnings. Similarly, Porsche owners are some of the happiest. For 2013, Porsche was the highest-ranked nameplate for the ninth consecutive year in the J.D. Power APEAL study (which measures consumer appeal of new vehicles).
Most Up-and-Coming School: University of Maryland—Baltimore County (National Universities)
For the sixth consecutive year, U.S. News asked the experts to rank the institutions making the most “promising and innovative changes” in academics and faculty and student life.
Tesla
There has been a new news story about Tesla nearly every day for the past year, documenting triumphs of the young automaker—record stock price, industry accolades, and increasing sales and profits. An electric car with a stunning design is worthy of up-and-coming status, but a car company reimagining the country’s energy and transit infrastructure with a CEO who has his eyes on Mars needs a category unto itself.
See all U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2014 rankings
Each year, U.S. News also publishes its Best Cars for the Money Award winners. Check out the vehicles that won in 2013.
Laura Schooling is Chief Marketing Officer of Jumpstart Automotive Group, an expert digital automotive marketing and advertising company, and division of Hearst Magazines.
