Why are the Vanyar higher than the Noldor?

[Legolas]

They showed themselves to be highest by following Ingwe to Aman and remaining there regardless of what happened.

Because we know of several powerful Noldor fighting against maiar and Morgoth themselves!

There were Vanyar in the armies of Manwe who fought under the command of Eonwe, his herald.

The Noldor got themselves into all of those fights - the Vanyar didn't have such troubles because they did what they were told to in the first place, thus we don't know much about how the Noldor compare to the Vanyar in fighting (or much of anything else either).

Not much is said about them, obviously.

[to be continued later tonight]