Kiplinger's Declares JMU a 'Best Values' Public University

High graduation rates and low costs are among the factors landing James Madison University a place on Kiplinger's Personal Finance's top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges for 2012.  JMU placed 28th on the list of four-year public schools that combine outstanding education with economic value.  Kiplinger's assesses quality and affordability based on a number of measurable standards, including admission rate, four-year graduation rate, total cost, cost after need-based aid and average debt at graduation.  JMU's high four-year graduation rate of 67 percent was a significant factor in the university's ranking on the best values list. JMU also has a very high six-year graduation rate of 82 percent. The university's competitive total cost per year for Virginia students ($17,664) and cost after need-based aid ($10,984) also contributed to the favorable ranking. JMU graduates hold an average debt at graduation of $20,417.  Kiplinger's analyzed data from more than 500 public four-year schools to determine its 100 Best Values in Public Colleges for 2012. A complete list of the top schools is available at http://www.kiplinger.com/links/college.