WM Ranked A 'Best Value' By Kiplinger

By Amber Lester Kennedy Thursday, January 06, 2011

The College of William and Mary is among eight Virginia colleges ranked as a “best value” in America by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

William and Mary was ranked fourth overall in Kiplinger’s report, released Tuesday. Kiplinger’s top 100 “best values in public colleges” ranks 100 colleges chosen from a pool of more than 500 public four-year institutions. The rankings are based on cost, financial aid and academy quality, including admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates.

William and Mary’s total cost for in-state undergraduates, including tuition, fees, room and board, is $20,872. For out-of-state undergraduates, it’s $42,448.

The other Virginia schools on the list are the University of Virginia (ranked third), James Madison University (19th), Virginia Tech (24th), University of Mary Washington (26th) and George Mason University (61st). The University of North Carolina took first place in the ranking.

Washington and Lee University and University of Richmond were also named “Best Values in Private Colleges.”

“Schools like these on the Kiplinger 100 list prove graduates can enter the workforce with a great education — and without a huge cloud of debt,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s, in a press release.

Governor Bob McDonnell praised the eight colleges and universities in a press release Wednesday. “Kiplinger has recognized what we here in Virginia have known for some time: that our colleges and universities provide an exceptional education that prepares our young people to be successful adults,” he said.

To see the complete listing, click here.