Kiplinger’s ranks WWU Among 100 Best Values

Western Washington University is one of the 100 best values in public colleges, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. The ranking, released today, cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value.

Kiplinger’s magazine ranks Western 93rd on its list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges for 2014. Western was listed at 74th in 2013 and 81st in 2012.

“We’re very proud to again be among Kiplinger’s best values in public higher education, because we’ve made it an institutional priority to maximize value and affordability while maintaining our reputation for quality. It’s the commitment and innovation of our great faculty and staff that makes this balance possible, and ensures that Western is not only a place where students can get the best value for their dollar, but develop values that help them put their higher education to higher purposes as well,” said Western President Bruce Shepard.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill tops the list, followed by the University of Virginia and the University of Florida. The University of Washington, the only other ranked school in the state of Washington, is No. 13.

Western has appeared on the list multiple times, a testament to the consistent value the university offers. Western also has consistently received strong rankings in U.S. News & World Report surveys of colleges and universities in the nation. Western is the highest ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to U.S. News & World Report college rankings.

Kiplinger’s assesses quality according to a number of measurable standards, including academic quality, cost and financial aid, student indebtedness, competitiveness, and graduation rates. The annual public school rankings are available online.