According to Newsweek’s “College Rankings 2012” survey, Stanford is the
happiest college in America.

Released on Aug. 6, the survey calculated happiness using students’ retention
rates, based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics, and their satisfaction with the college experience, based on data from College Prowler. Polled students were also asked whether they would choose to attend the same school if given the choice again.

Some Stanford students, however, remain skeptical of the results. In an article
published in the San Jose Mercury News, Elena Ayala-Hurtado ’14, double
majoring in English and sociology, said she believes that the “Stanford Duck Syndrome” is still effect.

“Everything seems to be all fine above the water,” Ayala-Hurtado said, “but the
ducks’ legs are paddling like crazy underneath.”

With a 98 percent full-time retention rate and 97 percent of the students opting to choose Stanford again if given the choice, Stanford ranked just above Carleton College in second and Yale University in third. Stanford was also named the ninth most affordable college, with a $57,755 annual tuition and financial aid given to 72 percent of the students. All together, the cost per student averages $30,558.

– Kylie Jue