Ramapo College has been recognized in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s list of the “Top 300 Best College Values of 2016.” This is Ramapo’s 10th year being included in Kiplinger’s list and it was rated 255 out of the 300 colleges on the list and 91 of 100 in the public colleges category. In addition, Ramapo was also one of only three New Jersey institutions to be included in this year’s list.
While prospective students spend their time trying to choose which college is best for them, Kiplinger makes narrowing down the search a little easier by compiling crucial details about the school that students and parents may benefit from in the long run. The list features private universities, private liberal arts schools and public schools that essentially combine outstanding academics with affordable cost.
Introduced in 1998, Kiplinger's Personal Finance takes many factors into consideration in order to determine which institutions earn such a distinction. According to the editors of the magazine, they start with data from 1,200 public and private four-year schools across the country. Schools who earn rankings between 1 and 300 are considered “best value.”
To narrow the list down, measures include admission rates, percentage of students who return sophomore year, student-to-faculty ratio and four-year graduation rates. The cost criteria include sticker price, financial aid and average debt at graduation. This year’s “Best Value” list also presents, for the first time since it has been established, Kiplinger’s future earnings data alongside each school for students to get a better idea of what their post-graduation earnings may be.
The thought of post-grad debt can be daunting; therefore it is important for students to feel they are getting their money’s worth when it comes to their education.
“I definitely think tuition costs pay off for the amount of credits per class and class hours we receive at Ramapo,” said senior Abby Reyes. “As for the costs for room and board and other exaggerating fees, I probably could not say the same.”
As reported by Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Ramapo College’s current admissions rate is 53 percent with a total enrollment of 5,710 students. The four-year graduation rate is 58 percent, and the average salary yardstick for graduating students is estimated to be $48,700. On the financial aid scale, the percentage of aid need met is 58 percent, the average need-based aid is $9,912 and the average non-need-based aid is $10,921.
“Ramapo College is proud to be one of only three institutions in New Jersey to again be awarded this distinction from Kiplinger’s,” said President Peter Mercer, according to a press release about the distinction. “We promise our students a high quality and affordable academic experience and we proudly keep that promise. As a result, our graduates go on to engage in rewarding careers, compassionate service and competitive graduate programs.”
vhone@ramapo.edu
