For the seventh consecutive year, UNC Asheville was listed in The Princeton Review's "The Best 331 Colleges," an annual guidebook based on surveys of some 60,000 college students. The "cream of the crop" ratings in the 2002 edition of the popular college guide also used information collected from campus visits and independent educational consultants.

UNCA's faculty received high marks from students for teaching ability, accessibility outside the class and knowledge of subject matter, the guide noted. Departments and programs earning praise include Environmental Studies, Literature and Language, Philosophy and Two-Plus-Two Engineering. Students were especially pleased with UNCA’s small size, saying it allows great opportunities to develop relationships with fellow students, faculty and administrators.

"This national recognition of the high quality of UNCA’s education and campus life is especially prized because it comes from the opinions of our students," said UNCA Chancellor Jim Mullen. "The qualities they praise are fundamental to our mission; it is gratifying to see them recognized."