LEXINGTON, Ky.—Transylvania University has once again been cited as one of the country’s best values among private colleges, according to a list published by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. The ratings are based on academic quality and affordability. Transylvania moved up four places from last year’s ranking to 59th.
Transylvania and the other schools included in the list provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost. They exemplify the attributes parents and students look for in higher education, including small class sizes, a good first-year retention rate and a high four-year graduation rate. View the full list of schools at www.kiplinger.com/links/college.
“Our rankings serve as a resource to help students and families make more informed choices,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. “Combining a high-quality education with an affordable price tag is a challenge, but the colleges on this year’s list offer the best of both worlds.”
Although private schools generally carry higher sticker prices than public schools, more generous scholarship and financial aid packages as well as a commitment to four-year graduation often make the out-of-pocket costs at private colleges very competitive with public universities.
“You should expect a positive return on your college investment,” said Brad Goan, Transylvania’s vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions. “Transylvania students, graduates and their families know an investment in Transylvania pays them back over and over again.
“There is great value in the outstanding scholarship and financial aid packages we award students, but of most value is a Transylvania education that empowers students and provides them with the tools and confidence they need to pursue the path they envision.”
Academic criteria for Kiplinger’s rankings include the student admission rate (the number of students accepted out of those who apply), the test scores of incoming students, the ratio of students to faculty members, and the four- and five-year graduation rates. On the cost side, Kiplinger’s measures the sticker price, the availability and average amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, and the average student debt at graduation.