Littlebirdy, what are you looking for? The golden key? If such a thing existed, I guarantee tuition at NU would be far more expensive than it is currently!
There's no substitute for 2-4 years in an environment where the standards are world-class. Schools are, generally, a breeding ground for mediocrity. NU is one of the few places that's superceded this standard. Are they the only one? No.
For Bensdorf, Muckey, Tiscione, Martin, Fensom, Larsen, et.al. - I'm pretty sure that standard took hold way before Charlie and Barbara got ahold of them!
That said, something is clearly working well at that school! Bravo to Geyer and Butler!