Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has again included Clark University on its list of the country’s best values in private colleges for 2016. Kiplinger’s annual list ranks 100 private universities, 100 public schools and 100 liberal arts colleges. Clark appears at number 27; the full list is available online.
Clark University and the other schools included in the 2016 list provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost during these continued tough economic times. Kiplinger assesses value by measurable standards of academic quality and affordability; quality measures include the admission rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and four-year graduation rate, while cost criteria include sticker price, financial aid and average debt at graduation. Many schools, including Clark, have appeared on the list multiple times, a testament to the consistent value these colleges provide.
“We start with a universe of 1,200 schools, so each school on our rankings, from number 1 to number 300, is a best value,” said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. “Families can use the list as a starting point and then tailor it to each student’s preference for such things as size, location, campus culture and major.”
Donald Honeman, Clark University dean of admissions and financial aid, said, “Our continued inclusion in the Kiplinger’s rankings reflects how effectively Clark has responded to the challenge of affordability while offering a higher education experience that ensures a strong return on families’ education investment. Clark offers an educational program framed by our LEEP (Liberal Education & Effective Practice) curriculum as well as a generous set of financial aid and scholarship options, an Accelerated B.A./Master’s Degree program with the fifth year tuition-free for strong undergraduate students, and a remarkably affordable room and board program — an appealing combination for students and their families.”