The object is to teach math and science. Prestige is a side-concern for the kinds of, how shall I put this, foolish mortals who believe that zero-sum rankings make them special, eve when those rankings fail to represent an objective increase in their knowledge and capabilities.
When it comes to scientific knowledge, it is very definitely better to serve in Heaven than to rule in Hell, so to speak.
That is inevitable if the object is to grant a prestigious qualification but do not screen at entry.