In its annual ratings, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine has again ranked UVM among the top 100 best value public colleges in the country.  UVM was  ranked 63rd and 67th for in-state and out-of-state students, respectively. The magazine narrows its list from a field of nearly 600 public colleges and universities.    

To compile the list, Kiplinger’s initially sorts schools on quality measures, such as admissions rate, the test scores of incoming first-year students and four- and six-year graduation rates.  It then adds cost data, including tuition, fees, room-and-board and financial aid, and re-ranks the schools.

"The University of Vermont placed in the top 100 thanks to its high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, abundant financial aid, a low sticker price, and overall great value,” the magazine wrote.

In addition to its overall rank, UVM came in 25th for its four-year graduation rate of 58 percent.

UVM’s overall positive trajectory in the annual Kiplinger’s rankings correlates with the many positive steps the university has taken in recent years said Tom Sullivan, UVM president, developments he is committed to continuing.

“While we’re happy to again be ranked among the top value publics, we won’t rest on our laurels,” he said.  “We intend to even further enhance academic quality and affordability at UVM in the coming years,” he said.  “Those goals are my top priorities.”

Two years ago, Kiplinger’s ranked UVM 73rd for in-state and 85th for out-of-state students. Last year it ranked 59th and 77th, respectively, in those categories. 

PUBLISHED

01-03-2013
Jeffrey R. Wakefield