Tuesday, January 03, 2012

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is again ranked one of the "Best Values" among public universities in the nation and number two in North Carolina, according to Kiplinger's 2012 rankings.

For 2012, UNCW is ranked 15^th nationally, a significant leap from the 27^th spot, which it held in both 2011 and 2010.

In North Carolina, Kiplinger's ranks UNCW as the second best value in public education for 2012, behind only the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNCW moved up from third place in the state last year, and Kiplinger's has rated UNCW in the top five public universities in N.C. since 2003.

Kiplinger's ranks four-year institutions that "deliver strong academics at reasonable prices," said Jane Bennett Clark, senior editor at Kiplinger's Personal Finance. "As states cut funding for higher education and tuition continues to climb, the word "value" is more significant than ever."

Kiplinger's assesses quality and affordability according to a number of measurable standards. This year, Kiplinger's revamped the rankings to give more weight to academic value, such as the percentage of students who return for sophomore year and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, abundant financial aid and low average debt at graduation.

"Providing the highest quality academic experience at the lowest possible cost is a consistent goal for UNCW," said Chancellor Gary L. Miller. "Even in the current economic environment, in which we have experienced significant and sustained state budget reductions over a several-year period, we have steadfastly refused to sacrifice quality. This recognition is a testament to the resolve of our faculty and staff to provide our students with a powerful learning experience."

Among UNCW's group of national peer institutions determined by the UNC Board of Governors, 12 appear in the 2012 listing of Kiplinger's top 100 best values in public colleges, placing UNCW among a select group of American public master's institutions. The top three best values among these peer institutions are the College of William and Mary, SUNY at Binghamton and UNCW.

The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger's February 2012 issue-on newsstands today-and online at: www.kiplinger.com/links/college. Web visitors will find special interactive features including FAQs and data sortable by criteria such as state, tuition cost, average debt, student/faculty ratio and admission rate.

Media Contact:
Dana Fischetti, media relations manager, 910.508.3127 or fischettid@uncw.edu.