We’ve all seen the rankings of the best schools in the country -- lists that rank colleges and universities based on the value of a degree, difficulty of admission, best cafeteria food.

Recently, the New America Foundation took on a more unique task: ranking the worst schools in the nation. The Foundation’s Ben Miller argues that while top tier colleges are all fairly similar in their excellence, regardless of rank, the schools that make up the “worst of” lists are unique. His lists weigh price, average student debt, the number of students who default on loans, and graduation rates. The schools come from all over the country, with several different areas of study, some for-profit, some nonprofit. 

One thing they have in common? They’re all private -- no public schools made the Worst Colleges Rankings. What makes a school particular good or bad? How can potential students identify schools that are essentially a scam?

Guest:

Ben Miller, senior policy analyst in the Education Policy Program at the New America Foundation, author of the Washington Monthly piece on America’s worst colleges