[silvestrov]

I wonder how many of those peers that can evaluate the quality of the teaching itself.

I'm guessing a lot of people (especially those without an university education) look at how impressive the buildings and facilities are because those are the status signals they understand. I don't think many check how large percentage of lessons are run by assistants.

So too many US colleges end up being 80% overly expensive hotel and 20% education.

[BigGreenJorts]

Because the 80% overly expensive hotel is precisely what you're paying for. Quality of education is a bare minimum requirement. The rest is the people you'll meet. Be that your neighbors in the expensive hotel or the professors you'll work with, or the activities that will bond you with those people.

[BrenBarn]

Well, I think that's half right, in that "how large percentage of lessons are run by assistants" isn't necessarily a great measure of "quality of teaching" either. In some cases the TAs may be better teachers than the professors.

[grandempire]

It’s well understood that teaching quality is a small part of the package value, so I dont even know if it matters for this decision.