Googler, JohnMu, wrote in a Google Groups thread that links from EDU domains are not in itself better links than .com or .net links. John said:
In general, I would like to add that no, backlinks from .EDU domains generally do not get “additional credibility from Google“
I believe this may be one of the first times [...]

The Google social api is sneaking up on us and I think its going to become a very good tool that we need to take advantage of. Google is hunting for suspicious links and the easier you can associate what the link is for the better. Its kind of been queit but here [...]