Many students have chosen to study at UB for a number of reasons, including the spectrum of degree programs and the school's reputation for being a premier, research-intensive public university.
However, it is no surprise that for prospective students, the relatively low cost of in-state tuition was most likely an influential factor in choosing to attend UB. The university provides a quality education at an affordable price, and, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, experts agree. On its 2011 list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges, the magazine ranked UB 18th in value for out-of-state students and 46th for in-state students.
The list ranks best public colleges that deliver a first-rate education without breaking the bank. The 2011 list states, "Despite shrinking budgets, these 100 schools deliver a stellar education at an affordable price."
The magazine evaluates schools based on criteria including SAT or ACT scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios, and 4- and 6-year graduation rates, as well as cost, financial aid and student debt at graduation.
Jane Bennett Clark, the senior associate editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, said that there is a multi-step process in the annual evaluation of the best-value colleges, which reflects a combination of quality and cost.
"We start with a list of about 500 public schools and sort them according to academic measures," Clark said. "We then re-rank the top 120 schools according to additional cost factors.…Our assessment of best value reflects that combination of quality and cost."
For in-state students, tuition and fees for the 2010-11 academic year total about $7,136. Out-of-state students pay an annual total of about $15,546.
"It was a pretty easy decision between either a cheap SUNY education or loans for 46 grand a year for a private school," said Paul Weingart, a senior media study major. "I didn't want to be in debt for the next 10 years, and if it weren't for the low cost education SUNY provides, I would probably be working a blue collar job right now."
Aside from UB, 11 other SUNY schools made the cut for the magazine's in-state list. Binghamton came in at No. 6; Geneseo, No. 7; Stony Brook, No. 25; New Paltz, No. 36; Oneonta, No. 47; Brockport, No. 63; Plattsburgh, No. 64; Fredonia, No. 65; Cortland, No. 70; and Albany, No. 73.
"What this ranking says is that SUNY is a bargain," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "New Yorkers have an outstanding resource right in their backyard, and national publications are recognizing that quality and unsurpassed value."
E-mail: news@ubspectrum.com
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
