RIPON, Wis. – Ripon College has once again been named one of "America's Best Value Colleges" in the 2008 edition of Princeton Review's annually published list. It is one of just five Wisconsin institutions to be so honored.
Return on investment has long guided strategic decisions in the business world, but as college costs continue to rise, parents and students alike are taking a long, hard look at what they're really getting out of a college education. The Princeton Review compiles key financial metrics and surveys thousands of students to come up with just 165 schools nationwide worthy of "Best Value" status.
"Ripon College's commitment to affordability and accessibility is reflected in the quality and diversity of the students we attract," said Steve Schuetz, vice president for Admission and Financial Aid. "Rankings such as the 'Best Value' list further validate our commitment and help make it known to the rest of the world."
Among private colleges in Wisconsin, only Beloit College joined Ripon on the list. UW-Eau Claire, UW-LaCrosse and UW-Madison were also named.
Said Robert Franek, Princeton Review vice president of publishing, "We selected the colleges for this year's book and for its two 'top 10' lists based on data we collected from more than 650 schools during the 2005 - 2006 academic year and our surveys of students attending them. We looked at more than 30 factors in four areas – academics, tuition, financial aid and student borrowing – to winnow our list of 'best value' picks. Families shopping for colleges with excellent academics, generous financial aid packages and/or relatively low costs of attendance will find outstanding choices in this book."
Ripon is also listed in the Princeton Review's "Best 361 Colleges" book, published annually in August.
About the Princeton Review
The Princeton Review maintains a list of the 165 schools in the book on its site, at which users can also search its other college ranking lists. The company surveys 115,000 college students whose ratings of their schools determine the rankings in 60 categories reported in its "Best Colleges" book annually published in August. Its "College Hopes Survey" of about 6,000 college applicants and parents names their "Top 10 Dream Colleges" each March. The Princeton Review is known for its test-prep courses, college and graduate school admission services, books, and K-12 education programs. It is not affiliated with Princeton University or ETS.
About Ripon College
Ripon College, founded in 1851, prepares students of diverse interests for lives of productive, socially responsible citizenship. Ripon’s liberal arts curriculum and residential campus create an intimate learning community in which students experience a richly personalized education. Ripon has been recognized as a “best value” and “Best 361 College” by The Princeton Review, a “Best Buy in College Education” by Barron’s, and among the 160 best schools in the nation by Colleges of Distinction. For more information about Ripon College, visit www.ripon.edu. |
