Top 10 Values in Public Colleges 2011
The schools in our top 100 public colleges list stand out for their strong academics, affordable price and generous financial aid.
The schools in our top 100 public colleges list stand out for their strong academics, affordable price and generous financial aid. These ten schools represent the top of the top.By Jane Bennett Clark
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Undergraduate Enrollment: 17,981 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.
2. University of Florida
Undergraduate Enrollment: 33,628 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.
3. University of Virginia
Undergraduate Enrollment:15,464 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.
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,836 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.
5. University of Maryland -- College Park
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,493 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.
6. Binghamton University (SUNY)
Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,704 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.
7. SUNY Geneseo
Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,495 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.
8. University of Georgia
Undergraduate Enrollment: 26,142 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.
9. University of Wisconsin – Madison
Undergraduate Enrollment: 30,343 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.
10. University of Washington
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,718 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.
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