Differentiation v Distinction. For most there's only one winner

How differentiated can your university really be?
Unless your ownership or education/research focus is wildly different then it's pretty much down to your location.
And that's a brand you don't control.
But you can influence it.
More of that another time.

For now, drop differentiation and go for distinction.
There's always an opportunity to be more distinct than the competition.

And you control all the levers that can help you to do it.