Editorial quality and financial support have varied over the years, at times rising among elite college newspapers and at others struggling to publish.

In many respects, the intercollegiate sports level serves as a feeder system to the professional level, as the elite college athletes are chosen to compete at the next level.

Costs at elite colleges have risen 4 times faster than inflation over the past 20 years.

This debate has caused certain elite colleges to take caution asking athletes to sign forms that prevent them from suing the college.

Elite colleges have been compared to designer labels, a valuable credential in the job market, and an entryway into top graduate schools.