Kiplinger’s 2011 Best Values in Public Colleges

Kiplinger’s has announced its 2011 best values in public college report and the news comes as no surprise. Despite sweeping budget cuts at state universities across the United States, the magazine asserts that there are deals to be had while still receiving a quality education. Editor Janice Bennett Clark offers this advice to prospective students:

Look for schools that deliver an outstanding, affordable education in good times and bad. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, ranked Kiplinger’s number-one best value for public colleges and universities for a remarkable ten times running, is a prime example. Carolina’s admission rate remains among the lowest on our annual list; its students are among the most competitive; and its in-state cost, at $17,000, is not much higher than the average price ($16,140) for all public universities. For students who qualify for need-based aid, the total price for this top-tier university drops to an average of $7,020.

Consider a Gem: Colleges that Change Lives

If you are anything like me, you have grown tired of hearing about certain colleges that seem to grab the spotlight. If you are interested in taking a deeper look at some colleges that fly under the radar, but are arguably just as significant, take a look at Loren Pope’s book Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL) which explores colleges that share common characteristics such as a lifelong love of learning and providing a foundation for a successful life. When Mr. Pope put together this book in 1996, he wanted to look beyond misconceptions and misinformation about colleges in this nation, and wanted to provide families with alternatives to make informed choices.

According to the CTCL website, the schools share the following characteristics:

• low student-to-faculty ratios that foster collaboration, engaged learning, and personal attention
• a commitment to undergraduate education focusing on the liberal arts and sciences
• a living and learning environment that is primarily residential and emphasizes the benefits of community, personal growth, participation, and involvement
• smaller student enrollments
• out-of-classroom learning opportunities including participation in internships, study abroad, service to others, and special interest activities
• holistic admission policies including several with “test-optional” routes to admission
• alumni networks that stand ready to help graduates with professional and career development opportunities

This month, the Colleges That Change Lives group goes on national tour, visiting dozens of cities across the United States. There are forty colleges that are a part of CTCL and are fantastic schools for students to explore.

They will be in Bellevue (Seattle), Washington on July 31st at 10:00 AM at the Meydenbauer Center. Other major cities on the tour include San Francisco (August 2nd), Los Angeles (August 3rd), Denver (August 4th), Atlanta (August 19th) and Cincinnati (September 15th) to name a few.

Nancy Griesemer of College Explorations LLC put together a fun slideshow of famous people who attended CTCL colleges. Thanks for sharing this with us Nancy!

Ignore the Rankings – Find Your Best Fit College

Did you know that over 70% of students get into their first choice college?  And colleges typically admit more than two thirds of their applicants, so, why all the hype about extremely low acceptance rates and rankings at “elite colleges”?  The reports fuel frenzy and students feel like their chances of admission are very low overall.

Maybe it isn’t about just looking at what the media deems the elite.  Maybe it is about finding a college that is the best fit for you, which often has nothing to do with a school’s name or ranking.

There is more to a college than its name or location. Think about the type of environment that is best suited to your academic strengths, the kinds of people you want to be surrounded by, and the level of involvement professors have in your education.  Consider opportunities outside of the classroom as well as accessibility to research and internships.  Cost and value are also important components that each student needs to factor into the equation. Focus less on “name-brand” which isn’t necessarily the best fit for everyone.

To learn more about lesser known colleges that are absolutely fantastic, pick up Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives.  You can also learn more the colleges highlighted in this book by visiting www.ctcl.org.