Millersville University and Franklin & Marshall College slipped slightly in U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking, but school officials said the results aren't entirely reflective of the positive things happening on campuses.

In the report, which was released today online, Millersville University ranked 58th among U.S. colleges in the north that offer a broad range of undergraduate and master's degree programs. Last year the school ranked 45th.

Among the nation's liberal-arts schools F&M ranked 42nd, slipping from the 40th spot last year.

Elizabethtown College remains ranked at No. 5 among the northern region's top baccalaureate colleges.

Schools were notified of the report earlier this week.

The data is based on criteria such as enrollment, program completion, faculty, staff, graduation rates, institutional prices, financial aid, freshman retention rates, class size and reputation.

Harvard University is back at No. 1 in the rankings for the first time in 12 years.

Princeton University slipped to No. 2, ending eight straight years of at least sharing the top ranking. Yale University followed at No. 3.

"We are pleased with the ranking," said Vilas Prabhu, Millersville's provost and vice president for academic affairs. "The exact ranking can fluctuate. Our goal is to always rank in the first tier."

 Prabhu said Millersville consistently does well in areas such as graduation rates and SAT scores.

In the 2007-08 school year, the school's graduation rate was 81 percent. Average SAT scores for incoming freshman were between 950 and 1250.

A large part of the rankings –– 25 percent –– is determined by peer assessments where colleges rate each other through surveys.

"By ranking your peers it gives (U.S. News & World Report) more credibility because they can say 'we're not the ones coming up with these rankings,' " Prabhu said.

However, Prabhu said the problem with peer assessments is that schools aren't always aware of little details that can make a difference, such as the percentage of faculty who have earned doctorate degrees, internship and service-learning programs.

"They don't know all the good practices we are doing," Prabhu said.

The annual report has long drawn criticism from college officials who say the report contains flawed methodology, is a one-size fits all list and puts more weight on pedigree than value.

 But Prabhu said he believes the report has merit. "It's a valuable tool in addition to a lot of other things. Students should visit campuses and talk to students before choosing a college."

Sara Harberson, F&M's vice president for enrollment and management and dean of admission, agreed with Prabhu.

"The college search is a very personal experience," Harberson said Thursday. "Students will have a gut reaction. There's still something valuable about visiting a school and getting butterflies."

Harberson said F&M's ranking reflects all the good things happening at the school such as a 12 percent increase in admission applications, a flourishing visitation program and rising SAT scores.

For instance, Harberson said 600 more families have visited the campus over last year.

"More families are taking tours and attending information sessions," Harberson said. Admissions "is a very individualized personal process. We want to be seen as much more than a number."

Elizabethtown College did not return phone calls Thursday concerning the rankings.

This year the report includes two new rankings. The first is a list of up-and-coming institutions –– colleges that make innovative improvements.

The second will be the first-ever rankings of colleges by high school guidance counselors.

Highlights of the 2009 edition of America's Best Colleges rankings will be published in the Sept. 1 edition of U.S. News & World Report.

E-mail: mpennino@lnpnews.com