Miami jumps up Kiplinger's "Best Values" list

Miami University has jumped 25 spaces in the "100 Best Values in Public Colleges" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. The February 2012 issue ranks Miami as 52nd among in-state best values nationwide and 49th for out-of-state public university values.

Miami has placed in the “100 Best Values” list every year since Kiplinger began publishing the rankings in 1998. Last year, Miami ranked 77th on the list for in-state values and 80th for out-of-state value.

Selected from a pool of more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities, schools in the Kiplinger 100 were ranked according to a combination of academic quality and affordability factors: test scores of incoming students, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates, as well as cost (including room and board) and financial aid.

In acknowledging the financial burdens schools and families have carried, editors say this year they placed extra emphasis on criteria they consider crucial to academic value, including the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the four-year graduation rate and universities keeping borrowing low.

“Through the dedication of many faculty and staff on campus, we are committed to providing students with the highest quality ‘Miami experience,’” said David Hodge, president of Miami. “This commitment results in high achievement and great careers for our graduates.”

Virtually all schools have raised costs for in-state and out-of-state students, however, the editors say, “For all the numbers-juggling, these schools continue to deliver a great education at prices that put private schools to shame.”

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Florida and the University of Virginia again top the list.

Kiplinger’s is one among many national rankings that recognize Miami’s commitment to a personal and rich college experience, contributing to high retention and graduation rates, as well as preparing students for lifelong success. With median time to a degree at 3.7 years, Miami has one of the highest graduation rates among national public universities.

Miami’s value extends to the success of its alumni: Miami ranks ninth in the nation when it comes to return on investment, according to a summer SmartMoney magazine survey, showing alumni received the best salary return for what they paid in tuition.