UM Among Leaders in Least Student Debt

CORAL GABLES, Fla., Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The University of Miami is emerging as one of the top research universities in the country graduating students with some of the least debt when they collect their diplomas.

In fact, students at UM are graduating with an average debt of $19,000, the fifth lowest among top private research universities, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2017 "Best Colleges" rankings, released Tuesday.

"The University of Miami is very aware of the high cost of attendance at private institutions and the burdens imposed by high student debt," said Executive Vice President and Provost Thomas J. LeBlanc. "We are working hard to reduce the debt of our neediest students, and will continue to do so as our resources permit."

Currently, the University is working toward a goal of providing financial aid to meet 100 percent of undergraduate student need, an ambition announced by UM President Julio Frenk during his inauguration in January when he stated: "If education is to fulfill its crucial function of expanding opportunities, we must build a bridge between excellence and access."

In the U.S. News rankings, the University of Miami is ranked 44th in the "Best National Universities" category, jumping up from No. 51 last year. UM is the top-ranked school in Florida.

In addition, UM is ranked as one of the top universities for U.S. veterans. It is now 27th in the nation in the "2017 Best Colleges for Veterans" category, offering benefits and assistance to help veterans and active-duty service members pursue their education.

"The University has had strong ties with military veteran and active-duty service members throughout its history. The commitment to educate and provide services to these men and women, who represent our country, is held in high regard," said Gail Cole-Avent, executive director for student life and advisor for the Veterans Student Organization, a chapter of Student Veterans of America. "Over the past five years, I've served in an integral role in supporting the academic and leadership endeavors of these students, as well as working with university colleagues to ensure that policies and operations meet the evolving needs. Most importantly, the greatest joy has been working directly with the students to establish an environment that facilitates the development of community."

UM is also listed among the top universities in the country, at 24th, for having the largest proportion of undergraduate international students attending the University. U.S. News cites this category as important because, "In a global culture, befriending and learning to collaborate with students from other countries can be rewarding personally and professionally."

Earlier this year, U.S. News awarded the Miller School of Medicine's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute the No. 1 ranking in its "Best Hospitals 2017 Edition," the 15th time in 27 years that it has garnered this accolade. Additionally, the Miller School of Medicine ranked among the top 50 in the 2017 edition of "Best Graduate Schools" climbing 12 spots in 10 years. 

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SOURCE University of Miami