Slide Show | December 2010
Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
Jonathan Cohen/Binghamton University
By Jane Bennett Clark
Slide Show
Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dan Sears/UNC-Chapel Hill
SAT: 73% scored 600 or higher on verbal/83% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 90% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 14
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 74%/87%
Total In-State Cost: $17,000
Total Out-of-State Cost: $35,614
Average Debt at Graduation: $14,262
This outstanding research institution delivers its education for a total cost in-state of $17,000, only a little more than the average price -- $16,140 -- for public institutions nationally. It also offers generous financial aid to students with need, bringing the average cost after need-based aid to just over $7,000. Founded in 1789, Carolina attracts world-class faculty and leads the pack among public universities for producing Rhodes scholars. 1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
2. University of Florida
istockphoto
SAT: 61% scored 600 or higher on verbal/71% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 88% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 20
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 58%/83%
Total In-State Cost: $14,684
Total Out-of-State Cost: $36,961
Average Debt at Graduation: $15,932
With the lowest in-state cost -- $14,684 -- of our top-ten-ranked schools, UF represents a bargain even for families who don’t qualify for financial aid. Most in-state students do qualify for assistance, thanks to the merit-based program known as Bright Futures. At $9,759, the cost after non-need-based aid is among the lowest on our list. 2. University of Florida
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
3. University of Virginia
istockphoto
SAT: 78% scored 600 or higher on verbal/84% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 94% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 16
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 85%/93%
Total In-State Cost: $20,647
Total Out-of-State Cost: $43,593
Average Debt at Graduation: $19,939
Also known as Mr. Jefferson’s Academical Village (as in founder Thomas Jefferson), UVA posts the highest graduation rates in our rankings and offers the most generous need-based financial aid. The average need-based package -- $14,955 -- reduces the price for students who qualify to a bargain-basement $5,692. 3. University of Virginia
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
4. College of William and Mary
SAT: 83% scored 600 or higher on verbal/85% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 94% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 11
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 82%/91%
Total In-State Cost: $21,972
Total Out-of-State Cost: $42,996
Average Debt at Graduation: $18,410
Second only to the University of Virginia in graduation rates, this small, historic institution attracts high-achieving students and gives them the luxury of learning in small classes. The 11:1 student-faculty ratio is among the lowest on our list. 4. College of William and Mary
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
5. University of Maryland -- College Park
Bgervais
SAT: 67% scored 600 or higher on verbal/82% scored 600 or higher on math
Student/Faculty Ratio: 18
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 63%/82%
Total In-State Cost: $19,042
Total Out-of-State Cost: $35,455
Average Debt at Graduation: $20,256
Maryland has held the line on costs, keeping the total for in-state students to $19,040, only a few hundred dollars over last year’s cost. The school’s proximity to Washington, D.C., its engineering and journalism programs, and its top athletic program are among the strengths that keep Maryland on a winning streak. 5. University of Maryland -- College Park
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
6. Binghamton University (SUNY)
Jonathan Cohen/Binghamton University
SAT: 67% scored 600 or higher on verbal/85% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 94% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 20
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 70%/81%
Total In-State Cost: $19,125
Total Out-of-State Cost: $27,535
Average Debt at Graduation: $14,560
Number-one on our list for out-of-state value, Binghamton charges a total of $27,535 to out-of-state students, less than the average out-of-state cost ($28,130) for public schools nationwide. The university admits only 33% of its applicants, making it one of the most competitive schools in our top 100. 6. Binghamton University (SUNY)
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
7. SUNY Geneseo
bdesham
SAT: 80% scored 600 or higher on verbal/87% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT 96% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 19
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 64%/78%
Total In-State Cost: $17,393
Total Out-of-State Cost: $25,803
Average Debt at Graduation: $21,000
This small honors school in western New York vies with Binghamton University for best out-of-state value. Its total cost for out-of-staters comes in at $25,803, a bit lower than Binghamton’s, and the admission rate is a competitive 35%. Incoming freshmen keep the brainiac quotient high at Geneseo: SAT scores are among the best on our list. 7. SUNY Geneseo
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
8. University of Georgia
pruddle
SAT: 58% scored 600 or higher on verbal/65% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 87% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 18
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 51%/81%
Total In-State Cost: $18,226
Total Out-of-State Cost: $36,436
Average Debt at Graduation: $14,766
In-state residents who meet the academic requirements qualify for this flagship university’s Hope scholarship, which covers tuition, mandatory fees and books. Not surprisingly, average debt on graduation is a relatively low $14,766. UGA students also get the benefit of a great college town -- Athens -- and a top-notch athletic program. The Bulldogs have scored 25 national championships since 1999. 8. University of Georgia
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
9. University of Wisconsin – Madison
Daniel J. Simanek
ACT: 93% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 17
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 50%/82%
Total In-State Cost: $17,777
Total Out-of-State Cost: $33,027
Average Debt at Graduation: $21,552
Strong test scores among incoming freshmen and a relatively low sticker price for both in-staters ($17,777) and out-of-staters ($33,027) help put this school in our top ten for the first time since 2000. Unlike many schools, where in-state costs jumped by at least $1,000 over last year’s amount, Wisconsin kept its increase to only about $400. 9. University of Wisconsin – Madison
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Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
10. University of Washington
istockphoto
SAT: 48% scored 600 or higher on verbal/67% scored 600 or higher on math; ACT: 79% scored 24 or higher
Student/Faculty Ratio: 12
Graduation Rate 4-yr./6-yr.: 54%/81%
Total In-State Cost: $19,135
Total Out-of-State Cost: $36,342
Average Debt at Graduation: $16,800
Despite painful, ongoing budget cuts, U-Dub maintains its position in our top ten thanks to a still-moderate $19,135 sticker price for in-state students and a student-faculty ratio (12:1) that’s more typical of a small, liberal-arts college than a major research institution. 10. University of Washington
