Fairfield University, Fairfield, Conn., has been recognized as one of the "100 Best Values in Private Colleges" in the nation, according to the 2014 Kiplinger's Personal Finance rankings report. Fairfield University is one of two private colleges from Connecticut named on the list, Yale University, in New Haven, being the other.

The 2014 Kiplinger's lists represent colleges that provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost during these continued tough economic times. The colleges exemplify the attributes parents and students look for in higher education, including small class sizes, a good freshman retention rate, and a high four-year graduation rate.

"I am very pleased to see Fairfield University recognized again as a top university in the USA and a terrific value," said Rev. Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J., senior vice president for academic affairs at Fairfield University. " Kiplinger's methodology gives roughly equal weight to cost and quality, looking at such factors as financial aid, retention and outcomes, the high intellectual quality of our student body, the academic support that these students receive from faculty and staff mentors, and the resultant ability to land a job or gain acceptance into prestigious graduate schools. What doesn't necessarily show up in this analysis is the Jesuit advantage of a Fairfield education: our alumni are not only very successful people; they are also good citizens, good leaders and good friends."

Kiplinger's rankings measure academic quality and affordability. Academic criteria include the student admission rate (the number of students accepted out of those who apply), the test scores of incoming freshmen, the ratio of students to faculty members, and the four- and five-year graduation rates. On the cost side, Kiplinger's measures the sticker price, the availability and average amount of need-based and merit-based financial aid, and the average student debt at graduation. The top 50 colleges and top 50 universities appear in Kiplinger's December issue - on newsstands November 5. The full list is available online now at www.kiplinger.com/links/college.

"With President Obama's recent emphasis on rating colleges and universities based on their value, our rankings serve as a valuable resource to help students and families make more informed choices," said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. "Combining a high-quality education with an affordable price tag is a challenge, but the colleges on this year's list offer the best of both worlds."

Posted On: 10-17-2013 11:10 AM

Volume: 46 Number: 82