Appalachian State and UNC Asheville Ranked Among
50 Best Values in Nation
Appalachian State University and UNC Asheville are the only public
universities in Western North Carolina named among the 50 best values in
America in a recent issue of Consumers Digest magazine. Appalachian is
ranked 30th and UNC Asheville is ranked 31st. A total of 3,500 schools
were initially considered for the rankings.
In compiling the rankings, the magazine considered the quality of
education, academic excellence of freshmen, graduation rates,
student-to-faculty ratio, percent of faculty holding a Ph.D. or highest
degree and the average cost to attend. Consumers Digest used only
out-of-state tuition costs, since attending a public school as a state
resident almost always offers the best value, the magazine noted.
Other North Carolina public institutions making the list were UNC
Wilmington, ranked 38th, and UNC Greensboro at 45th. The magazine also
published a separate list of 25 private colleges and universities
"The price of attending a university or college often exceeds
$20,000 per year," says Randy Weber, publisher, Consumers Digest.
"Our analysis was done to help families make an informed decision
that puts their hard-earned money to the best use."
In-state tuition, room and board at Appalachian was $7,471.50 for the
2003-04 academic year. Out-of-state costs were $16,839.50. The cost to
attend UNC Asheville for the 2003-04 academic year was $8,079 for in-state
students and $16,904 for out-of state students.
A complete list of the rankings for public and private institutions can
been seen online.
Media Contacts:
- Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
- Jane Nicholson, ASU University News director, 828/262-2345
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