University of Virginia ranked best public college value

The numbers are out and the University of Virginia topped the Princeton Review's list of best public college values with College of William and Mary, James Madison University, Virginia Tech, and University of Richmond also selected as best value colleges.

A statement from Governor Bob McDonnell congratulated Virginia's colleges:

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement in recognition of five Virginia institutions of higher education being ranked by the Princeton Review as “Best Values.”

“Making college more affordable and expanding the number of degrees issued by Virginia universities to residents of the Commonwealth is vital to preparing them for the top jobs of the future,” said Governor McDonnell. “We are working very closely with our institutions of higher education to meet the goals I outlined in my legislative package in January.”

“This national recognition of these outstanding universities and their efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable is a great building block toward making Virginia one of the most highly educated states in the nation. Having five colleges and universities named to this prestigious list reinforces that the Commonwealth is a national leader for higher education.”

In the public university category, the University of Virginia was ranked the nation’s best value college, while the College of William and Mary ranked number 7. James Madison University and Virginia Tech were listed in the nation’s top 50 (Princeton Review only ranked the top-10 colleges. Others were included alphabetically).

The University of Richmond was ranked in the top 50 Best Value Colleges private universities category.

Governor McDonnell’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment will resume meetings this spring to continue its work to strengthen the Commonwealth’s economic opportunities for our citizens and increase access and affordability to postsecondary education. Future meeting dates and information can be found on the Secretary of Education’s website at www.education.virginia.gov.

Visit the Princeton Review’s or USA Today’s websites to access the complete lists of the 50 private and 50 public “Best Value Colleges”. USA Today’s website, (www.BestValueColleges.usatoday.com) features a database that allows users to view in-depth details about the schools including information about the criteria used to select these lists and the Princeton Review’s analysis of why each school was chosen as a Best Value College.