UNC Asheville Named a "Best Value" by Princeton Review;
One of Only Three North Carolina Institutions to Make the List

UNC Asheville is one of the best college values in the nation, according to The Princeton Review’s new college guide "America’s Best Value Colleges." In a national review of all public and private colleges, the book’s editors listed just 77 institutions with outstanding academics, low to moderate tuition and generous financial aid packages. UNC Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University were the only other North Carolina institutions to be included.

"The nation is beginning to learn what some of us already know about UNCA: you can get a world class education provided by outstanding faculty at less than half of the cost of comparable private colleges and universities," said UNCA alumnus Zollie Stevenson, senior education program specialist for the U.S. Department of Education. "UNCA has always been a jewel in the UNC system crown."

The guidebook praises UNCA’s growing academic reputation, noting that the university "offers the quality education of a private school at a public school price."

Faculty received high marks for their involvement with students. "The professors are extremely approachable and -- much to the chagrin of some students -- will notice if you ditch class," said the guide book.

UNCA Chancellor Jim Mullen drew special praise. The guide book noted that "UNCA is probably the only public school in the United States where everybody loves the chancellor (and where the chancellor returns students’ phone calls)."

Last fall, UNCA was listed among the nation's 20 colleges and universities that offer the "Best Academic Bang for Your Buck" in the 2004 edition of The Princeton Review's "The Best 351 Colleges." It was the second year UNCA has earned this designation.

UNCA was also named one of the "Best in the Southeast" in the very first edition of The Princeton Review’s "The Best Southeastern Colleges."

The University of North Carolina at Asheville, a four-year public liberal arts university located in the mountains of western North Carolina, has earned national reputation for its programs in the humanities, undergraduate research and environmental studies. UNCA ranks fourth in the nation among public liberal arts colleges in the newest U.S. News World Report’s "America’s Best Colleges." For more information about UNCA, call the Admissions Office at 800/531-9842.

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526