Comment by Loughla

I am not aware of any college that uses reports like US News and World Report rankings in the compensation packages of their executives.

I agree with your main point, but see a different cause, though. The problem is that parents and students use these reports as a bellwether for identifying prospective schools. Campus visits (short visits) where you see what the campus looks like, but don't actually learn what its about is the second problem.

There is too much PR and not enough focus on substance in higher education, just like there is in many, many, many areas of life in the United States today.