New Paltz ranked ‘best value’ college

SUNY New Paltz was named to the list of “100 Best Values in Public Colleges,” according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s annual ranking for 2015.

The ranking recognizes four-year schools that deliver academic quality and affordability. New Paltz has consistently made the list for the past several years.

Earlier this year, Kiplinger’s ranked the College on its lists of “30 Best College Values in the Mid-Atlantic” and “25 Best College Values Under $30,000 a Year.”

“It is an honor to be recognized in Kiplinger’s national ranking for delivering a quality education to our students at an exceptional value,” said L. David Eaton, vice president of enrollment management at New Paltz. “We are proud to receive another testimonial to the outstanding value of a New Paltz education.”

To assess quality, Kiplinger’s uses a number of measurable standards, including the admissions rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low tuition, abundant financial aid and low average debt at graduation.

“We salute this year’s top schools,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. “Balancing top-quality education with affordable cost is a challenge for families in today’s economy, which is why Kiplinger’s rankings are such a valuable resource. The schools on the 2015 list offer students the best of both worlds.”

The complete rankings are available online at kiplinger.com/links/college. The rankings will also appear in the February 2015 issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, on newsstands Jan. 6, 2015.