The accreditation process for vet schools is so rigorous, that there aren't any with poor academics- IMO they all provide a base level of training and are then able to distinguish themselves in certain ways- curriculum, star faculty members, caseload, etc...
It gets old hearing the same schools being called 'the best' without any reason besides reputation- which is usually related to research.
I agree with both of 2quick's posts. It really depends on what you want to do. You're likely to get a good small animal education anywhere. I think it matters a little more for large and exotic animal b/c your case load is really what's going to determine that. (if there aren't any cows, you won't see any)
As far as research, I really think that depends a lot on what kind of research you like. If you just want to be "cutting edge" and don't care what the project is, well maybe go to schools that are just generally considered good for research. Personally I would look at the specific research they are doing and see if you're interested. If you don't care about FIV, then why go to a school that's devoting a bunch of money to it? etc. I've done research throughout my life and the project really matters as does the people you're going to be working with (because you're around them 24-7).
There are a lot of "hole in the wall" researchers out there....By that I mean people doing really amazing work at universities you've never heard of...often the only people doing said research. All it really takes is a lab head who is interested in something and who landed a grant for it. Yes, university facilities are nice to have, but again, it's the grants that pay for what you will mostly be working with. Also, a lot of times the space you have is dictated by your funding. At one point I know our whole cardiology research department (who just got brand new facilities from the univerity) didn't have grant funding and pretty much sat around for almost a year.
If you want to do research, I'd do some searches on the stuff you're interested in and see where those people are and even contact them. You'd be surprised.
Additionally, about the vet "rankings"....(and this is also typically true for undergrad), it really doesn't matter to much where you go...it's better to look at other things you will be dealing with day-to-day, like other students, class size, location, cost of living, etc. etc. Where facilities and case load become mroe important will be during your internship/residency...and even in that case there is a lot of other things to consider...like how much you actually get to do, etc.
Anyway...I really think the ranking is pretty pointless. As far as I can tell the states with schools not ranked in the top don't have a state full of incompetent doctors.
