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

UNC Asheville stands alone among public and private colleges in Western North Carolina as a Best Buy according to the just released guidebook, “The Fiske Guide to Colleges.” In the guidebook’s 2006 edition, UNC Asheville is among just 17 public colleges and universities in the United States and Canada that qualify as offering “really remarkable educational opportunities at a relatively modest cost.” Fiske also named 28 private institutions to the Best Buy list. It is the 12th consecutive year that UNC Asheville has earned the designation.

The Fiske Guide praised UNC Asheville as “one of the best education bargains in the country,” citing rigorous academics, small classes, internships, service-learning, undergraduate research and Integrated Liberal Studies, the University’s enhanced general academic 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, Founders Day, homecoming and Greenfest were among features commended for rounding out the college experience.

The only other North Carolina institutions named to the Best Buy list are UNC Chapel Hill and Elon University.

Earlier this year, UNC Asheville was also included in The Princeton Review’s college guidebook, “America’s Best Value Colleges,” which lists just 81 public and private institutions.

Media Contacts:

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