Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine announced the “Best Values in Public Colleges 2011," its annual ranking of 100 public colleges and universities in the U.S.

Four New England institutions are on the list: the University of Connecticut, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Vermont. Among the 100 public colleges ...]]>

Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine announced the “Best Values in Public Colleges 2011," its annual ranking of 100 public colleges and universities in the U.S.

Four New England institutions are on the list: the University of Connecticut, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Vermont. Among the 100 public colleges in terms of value for state residents, UConn ranks 32nd;  UVM, 72nd; UMass Amherst, 83rd; and UNH, 93rd.

For out-of-state students, UConn ranks 36th; UMass Amherst, 59th; UVM, 83rd; and UNH, 94th.

Kiplinger's bases the rankings on a combination of academics and affordability, using data from more than 500 public four-year schools, provided by Peterson's/Nelnet and its own research. Kiplinger's says it uses measurable criteria, such as student-faculty ratios, admission rates, on-time graduation rate, sticker price and financial aid awarded, to develop the rankings.

Wendy A. Lindsay is senior director of NEBHE's Tuition Break (Regional Student Program).