Following its inclusion earlier this year among Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine’s 50 best values in private colleges and universities, Baylor University now finds itself named a “best buy” in the 2010 edition of The Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Baylor is one of 44 public and private colleges and universities from the United States, Canada and Great Britain named to Fiske’s “best buy” list.

Only three other Texas schools— Rice University, the University of Dallas and Trinity University— made the list, and Baylor is one of two Big XII schools named, including Iowa State University.

Baylor spokeswoman Lori Fogleman said the school is committed to helping students from all economic strata attend and said Baylor welcomes the recognition.

“It’s gratifying, especially in these economically difficult times, to again be recognized in a national review as an excellent value in higher education,” Fogleman said.

According to Fiske’s Web site, the “best buy” list bases its rankings “on the quality of the academic offerings in relation to the cost of attendance.”

An introduction to the guide’s “best buy” section states, “The relationship between the cost paid by the consumer and the quality of the education is affected by factors ranging from the size of an institution’s endowment to calculations by college officials about what the market will bear.”

This is the fourth consecutive year Baylor has been included on Fiske’s list, despite hourly and flat-rate tuition rates that have risen by more than 24 percent during that same span, each year outpacing the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index.

However, skyrocketing tuition rates are a problem for which both private and public schools nationwide have come under fire. Baylor’s undergraduate flat tuition rate of $23,664 for the just-completed school year was nearly $1,500 less than the national average of $25,143 for private universities, according to last year’s College Board report.

Reagan Ramsower, Baylor vice president for finance and administration, said the school is keenly aware of the importance cost plays in a student’s decision on where to attend college.

“Our goal is always to offer students a top-quality academic experience, while remaining sensitive to the costs associated with a Baylor education,” Ramsower said.

twoods@wacotrib.com

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