Although U.S. News recently released its rankings for the Best Global Universities, this list from Research.com is unique in that its main focus is to measure the impact and contributions of researchers from higher ed institutions worldwide.

In less than a week, six elite U.S. law schools have opted out of U.S. News & World Report's rankings of the best law schools due to its "profoundly flawed" methodology, according to Harvard Law School Dean Heather K. Gerken.

About 650 schools were graded based on the clarity of requirements and award amounts, as well as consistency in the application process. Colleges face no transparency requirements in issuing merit-based scholarships, "leaving each college to decide how upfront or opaque it wants to be," according to the CAP Report Card released by College Aid Pro.

The 11,300-student school in the East Texas Piney Woods has four suitors all vying for a chance to have the university join their ranks.