For Immediate Release—Thursday, January 10, 2008

Contact:
Tony Hoppa
Assistant Vice President for Communications
(585) 245-5516
thoppa@geneseo.edu

Kiplinger’s Ranks SUNY Geneseo No. 1
Best Value Among Nation’s Public Colleges for
Out-of-State Students, No. 6 for In-State Students

GENESEO, N.Y.—How good is The State University of New York at Geneseo in terms of quality for the price? According to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine, number one for out-of state students and number six for in-state students among all public four year colleges and universities in the nation, as rated on its list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges.

“It could just be the best public college…” writes Jane Bennett Clark, who authored the article for the February issue that prominently features Geneseo in text and photos. According to the article, schools that make The Kiplinger 100 list deliver a “first-rate education without breaking the bank.” The magazine is available on newsstands and online at http://www.kiplinger.com/money.

The top 10 ranking in both categories reaffirms that Geneseo—SUNY’s most selective institution—is becoming known for its academic excellence at a fraction of the price compared to some of the nation’s prestigious private institutions. For the in-state student category, Geneseo also topped institutions such as the University of Michigan and the University of California at Berkley.

“To be ranked number one in best value for out-of-state students two out of the last three years places Geneseo and the State University of New York in the national spotlight,” said Christopher C. Dahl, president of SUNY Geneseo. “And moving up to number six among in-state students validates our unique mission to attract the best and brightest who desire a strong liberal arts education.”

According to Dahl, Geneseo’s reputation for academic excellence and value will increase as parents share the rankings with fellow parents. “Ultimately, this will enhance our efforts to recruit top students to New York and from New York,” he said. “This is a key first step in supporting the recommendations outlined by the New York State Commission on Higher Education to help SUNY aggressively compete with other states for the best students and faculty.”

According to William Caren, associate vice president for enrollment management at SUNY Geneseo, the rankings help attract in- and out-of-state students which benefits Geneseo as well as other SUNY institutions. “More than 40 percent of Geneseo’s students pursue full-time graduate study within one year of graduation,” he noted. “That’s twice the national average. And once students are in New York, they quickly see the level of excellence and opportunity afforded by SUNY’s university centers and research institutions. It’s exciting because we’re on the front line in attracting and retaining talent vital to New York’s future.”

As quoted in the Kiplinger’s story, Dahl said, “There’s no reason why the state of New York shouldn’t offer its residents the same education that would cost $45,000 to $50,000 at a private school.” Geneseo’s in-state tuition is $4,350, with total costs of approximately $15,000. For out-of-state students, the numbers rise to $10,610 and $21,226, respectively.

Kiplinger’s determined its rankings based on data provided by more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities. Schools on the list were ranked according to academic quality, which included freshman class SAT scores, admission and retention rates, student faculty ratios, and graduation rates, as well as cost and financial aid.

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