Editor's note: This story is being highlighted in ASU Now's year in review. Read more top stories from 2019.
One of the most authoritative college guides in the U.S. has placed Arizona State University in the top 10 list of “Best Buy” public universities in the nation, ASU officials confirmed Friday.
The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2020 selected universities based on the quality of their undergraduate academics in relation to cost of attendance and specifically identified ASU for having “low average” student debt compared with peer institutions.
“We are honored to be included among the top 10 public universities out of more than 300 assessed by Fiske,” said Mark Searle, executive vice president and university provost. “It is a testament to the hard work of our faculty and staff that we have students from every state in the nation, and from more than 130 countries, who seek out ASU for its high-quality education at a great value. We focus intensely on efforts to be accessible to students from every background. The Fiske Guide’s evaluation is one acknowledgement of the success we are having.”
ASU is the only Arizona university selected for the top 10 Best Buy list this year. It shares the accolade with nine other powerhouse public schools, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Purdue University, University of Florida and Texas A&M.
As ASU continues to make higher education more accessible to more students, the Fiske recognition confirms the university’s commitment to making a college degree as affordable as possible for Arizona residents. The average tuition that state residents pay after gifts, grants and financial aid — none of which is paid back — is $2,300 per year. And nearly 40% of ASU students graduate with no debt at all.
Fiske’s selection is the latest in an impressive list of ASU achievements. In the past year, ASU earned recognition once again by U.S. News & World Report for being No. 1 in the U.S. for innovation. The latest innovation ranking was the fourth consecutive No. 1 for ASU. ASU also earned kudos as the No. 1 choice for international students by the Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange, a comprehensive information survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
The Fiske Guide evaluates more than 320 four-year private and public universities each year. It has been assessing universities for the past 30 years and is considered one of the most authoritative guides for prospective students and their families. This year’s guide named 20 Best Buys schools. Half of the universities selected were public and the rest private.
Top photo by Deanna Dent/ASU Now
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