UNC Asheville, alone among public colleges in Western North Carolina, is a "Best Buy" according to the recently published guidebook, The Fiske Guide to Colleges. In the 2007 edition of the popular college guide, UNC Asheville is among 19 American and Canadian public colleges and universities that qualify as offering "remarkable education opportunities at a relatively modest cost." It is the 13th consecutive year that UNC Asheville has earned the designation. Fiske also separately named 26 private institutions to the "Best Buy" list.

The Fiske Guide praised UNC Asheville as “one of the best educational 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.

“I don’t think I can voice how awesome the teaching has been during my four years here,” said one senior interviewed by the guide. “They make class interesting and are always helping students outside of class.”

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 public institution named to the Best Buy list was UNC Chapel Hill. Warren Wilson College and Elon University were named to the private school list.

Earlier this year, UNC Asheville was also included in The Princeton Review’s “America’s Best Value Colleges” Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges.