The University at Buffalo is continuing to move up on the affordability index from Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, making the university a better financial deal in fiscal hard times. Kiplinger is out with its Best Public College Values listing for 2013. When Kiplinger's rated UB on its "Best Value" list in 2010, the university was at number 70. In the new ratings, the university has moved up to 33rd among the 100 best values.
The goal is to rise higher. UB's Acting Admissions Director Regina Toomey said the university is a good value with its financial aid and the new program to guarantee graduation in four years. Toomey said that's important because it lowers what a student might have to borrow to finance a degree.
"You know what your financial bottom line is. So, you're looking for that kind of institution that's going to deliver the experience that you want at that price point that's affordable for you. And, I think UB offers that kind of best value. We're doing a even better job than we have ever done at the undergraduate experience," said Toomey.
Toomey said UB has $4 million in merit scholarships for students entering this fall, although the applications are due on Monday. That's attractive to families looking to hold down college loans.
"We're going to work with you, every step of the way, every year to ensure that you see your advisor, that you take the right classes. We drastically increased the number of seats available in courses last fall so that people were able to get the courses they need in a timely way. And, we're saying that if you do as a student what we're suggesting that you do you will graduate in four years," said Tooomey.
Another local college in New York State ranked at number 9 on the Kiplinger list: SUNY Geneseo.
The list stated Geneseo "With the lowest total costs for out-of-state students in our top ten, SUNY Geneseo is the number-one pick in our rankings for out-of-staters. But that doesn't mean New Yorkers can't expect to find value as well. In-state total cost is $18,519, and that shrinks to $14,047 after accounting for need. And students enter with high test scores: 24% scored 700 or higher on the SAT verbal portion while 20% scored 700 or higher on the math portion."
