Clemson University bets on lots and lots of low-cost storage to enhance its profile and attract top faculty.

Every college and university yearns to break into the top tier of the U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of higher learning. Clemson University, a South Carolina state university that's probably best known for its nationally ranked football team, is no exception.

This year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Clemson in a four-way tie at 67th in the Top National Universities category for 2008, and tied it with another university at the 27th spot in the less-competitive Top 50 Public National Universities-Doctoral category.