U.S.News names Huntington No. 5 in ‘Best Values’
FOR RELEASE: Monday, August 20, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-In addition to being ranked No. 7 among the Midwest's "Best Baccalaureate Colleges" by U.S.News & World Report, Huntington University also has been named No. 5 among the "Best Values in Baccalaureate Colleges" in the Midwest. The "Best Values" ranking is based on the percentage of students receiving need-based grants, the average cost of tuition after receiving those grants and the average discount from the total cost.
"Huntington University has moved onto the 'Best Values' in the Midwest list as a result of intentional strategies on our campus," said Jeff Berggren, vice president of enrollment management & marketing. "One is to continue to increase the academic value that comes from a Huntington education, and the second is to try to moderate the cost incurred by our students."
In January, the Huntington University Board of Trustees approved a 3 percent increase for full-time undergraduate tuition for 2007-2008. This was the third consecutive year for low or no price increases at the Christian liberal arts college.
Across the United States, the average tuition and fees at four-year private institutions in 2006-2007 was $22,218, reflecting an average increase of 5.9 percent over 2005-2006, according to College Board's 2006-2007 annual survey of colleges.
"The cost component has been a result of working hard as a campus to keep recent tuition increases well below the average for other colleges and universities to impact the sticker price while also offering increased financial aid to positively impact the net price that students actually pay to attend Huntington," Berggren said.
Approximately 90 percent of Huntington University students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, loans or work-study assistance.
"Personally, I hope that Huntington's listing as both a top ten 'Best Baccalaureate College' and a top five 'Best Values College' will result in families that would love to send their children to a high-quality, Christ-centered university - but don't explore Huntington because of cost - will now give us a good look as part of their college selection process," Berggren said.
Taylor University was ranked second in the "Best Values" category, followed by Manchester College at No. 6 and Franklin College at No. 8.
