UNC Asheville Named a Best Buy in the
"Fiske Guide to Colleges"

UNC Asheville, alone among public colleges in Western North Carolina, is a Best Buy according to the well-respected guidebook, "The Fiske Guide to Colleges," published in late July. In the guidebook's 2005 edition, UNC Asheville is among 20 American and Canadian public colleges and universities that qualify as offering "remarkable education opportunities at a relatively modest cost." Fiske also separately named 23 private institutions to the Best Buy list. It is the 11th consecutive year that UNC Asheville has earned the designation.

The guidebook praised UNC Asheville as "one of the best education bargains in the country," citing the demanding academic climate, small classes and the newly implemented Integrative Liberal Studies, the University’s enhanced general education curriculum. UNC Asheville’s professors drew high marks for their accessibility, passion and experience, while the administration was noted for continuing to push for excellence. Residence life, outdoor recreational opportunities, athletics, intramurals and Greenfest, were among features commended for rounding out the college experience.

Other North Carolina institutions named to the Best Buy list include UNC Chapel Hill, Elon University, Wake Forest University and Warren Wilson College.

Earlier this year, UNC Asheville was listed among the 50 best college values in America by Consumers Digest magazine. The University was also named to The Princeton Review’s new college guidebook, "America’s Best Value Colleges," which lists just 77 public and private institutions.

Media Contacts:

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