Parents and students face the daunting prospect of high costs and years of debt as they shop for colleges this spring. With that in mind, the Princeton Review has released its 2008 edition of America’s Best Value Colleges, selecting 165 institutions from its assessment of 650 colleges and universities, and offering two Top 10 Best Values lists, one for public colleges and one for private schools.

UNC Asheville is ranked third in the nation among the Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges. It is the only North Carolina college or university to make the public list; no North Carolina colleges or universities were named to the list of Top 10 Best Value Private Colleges. This is the second year in a row UNC Asheville has been ranked among the Top 10 Best Public Colleges.

Other Top 10 public colleges include New College of Florida, University of Virginia, University of California-Berkley, University of California-San Diego and University of Minnesota-Morris.

The guidebook praises UNC Asheville’s growing national academic reputation, noting that the University “offers the quality education of a private school at a public school price.” It also favorably notes the University’s numerous academic options, small class size and strong focus on the liberal arts and sciences.

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 guidebook.

Overall, the book's 165 colleges – 90 public and 75 private – were judged to offer excellent academics, generous financial aid packages and relatively low costs. The Princeton Review based its decisions on data obtained from administrators at 650 colleges and survey responses from students attending them. Some 30 factors were considered in rating the colleges in four categories: academics, tuition, financial aid and student borrowing.

The Princeton Review is the latest in a number of noteworthy rankings UNC Asheville has received. Last fall, UNC Asheville was ranked the fifth best public liberal arts university in America by U.S. News & World Report. The University is also just one of 19 public colleges and universities in the United States and Canada to be named a "Best Buy" in the most recent edition of The Fiske Guides to Colleges.