UNG on Kiplinger's list of 'Best College Values, 2017'

DAHLONEGA, Ga., Dec. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of North Georgia (UNG) is one of only three public universities in Georgia on Kiplinger's Personal Finance list of the 300 best values among the nation's colleges and universities for 2017.

The rankings reflect academic quality and affordability. UNG is ranked 85 on the list of best values in public colleges, up nine spots from its previous ranking on the list in 2014.

"This ranking reflects our ongoing commitment to providing students throughout the region with access to a high-quality, affordable education," said UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs. "The value of a UNG degree continues to grow as we expand opportunities to make students regionally and globally competitive."

UNG had previously been named to the list in the magazine's 2009-10, 2011-12 and 2012-13 rankings.

Kiplinger's quality measures include admission rate, percentage of students who return for sophomore year, student-faculty ratio and four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include tuition price, financial aid and average debt at graduation.

UNG is one of the most affordable public universities on the list, and is ranked third among all public institutions in lowest amount of student debt load. Nationally, 68 percent of students borrow money to pay for college, averaging $30,100 of debt at graduation; the average amount of debt for graduating UNG students is $11,679.

The magazine's special report on best college values for 2017 and the complete rankings can be found online and also in the February 2017 issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, on newsstands Jan. 3.

SOURCE University of North Georgia