Best Values in Public Colleges, 2013

Kiplinger is out with it's top 100 college value choices.  According to Kiplinger their criteria is based upon tangible measures of academic quality—including test scores and four-year graduation rates—as well as affordability.

Top 5 list is below along with a couple of highlights.  The University of North Carolina takes the top spot for the 12th time.  Go Heels!

• Despite a slowly improving economy, the landscape for public colleges continues to look bleak. Having endured cuts in state appropriations over the past several years, colleges have bumped up class sizes and trimmed administrative staff. Meanwhile, the average sticker price—$17,860 for in-staters and $30,911 for out-of-staters, according to the College Board—climbed 4.2% and 4.1%, respectively, over last year, once again outpacing inflation and family incomes. An even bigger cause for concern: The net price (sticker price minus financial aid) for in-state students has risen for the third year in a row.
• The outlook for new grads isn’t much better. Many recent graduates are swapping mortarboards for part-time or low-paying jobs, while tackling student debt. "The notion that college is a ticket to a good, middle-class life of prosperity is perceived to be less true today," says Richard Vedder, of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. Still, a typical college grad can expect to make about $20,000 more per year than the typical high school graduate.

Top 5 Ranked Colleges according to value

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. University of Virginia
3. University of Florida
4. College of William and Mary
5. University of Maryland, College Park