Even with countless recent graduates struggling to find jobs, a college education is still seen by many as an essential investment in a child's future.
As with many other purchases in these stressful financial times, parents are looking for a good value. Financial publication Kiplinger just published its latest list of the best values in public colleges for the year 2012.
Three local colleges earned spots in the top ten. Number three was awarded to the University of Virginia, where total in-state cost of education is $21,626, total out-of state cost, $45,948. Kiplinger says 85 percent of students graduate in 4 years. Once they're out, the average UVA graduate carries a debt of $19,384.
Fourth on the list was another Virginia school, the College of William and Mary. The graduation rate at the Williamsburg-based school is 82 percent, and the average debt load for a graduating student is $21,367. Thomas Jefferson and Robert Gates are among the school's notable alumni.
Maryland was represented on the list too - University of Maryland was counted as the 8th best value public school in the rankings. The four-year graduation rate is 63 percent, 82 percent after 6 years. The price is low: just $19,409 for in-state students. On average, students finish up with $22,696 in debt.
To compile the list, Kiplinger said it weighed several criteria: 4-year graduation rate, percentage of students who returned for their sophomore year, price, and amount of debt students take on.
George Mason also earned a nod on the list, at number 50.
