LSU selected as a Best Value by Kiplinger and Princeton Review/USA Today

LSU has been selected as a best value on both Kiplinger's Personal Finance's list of the "Best Values in Public Colleges, 2013" and "The Princeton Review 100 Best Value Colleges for 2013," presented by USA Today.

"LSU has consistently been ranked as a best value by publications like Kiplinger's and Princeton Review," said LSU Interim President and Interim Chancellor William Jenkins. "These rankings prove yet again that LSU offers a great, quality education for a good price. In these tough economic times, we must maintain the highest standard of education possible for the citizens of our state and beyond."

Kiplinger's Personal Finance annually names the 100 best values in public colleges, ranking four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. This year, LSU ranks 90 overall for in-state student value, and out-of-state student value, LSU is ranked 100.

Kiplinger's assesses quality according to a number of measurable standards. The editors at Kiplinger's Personal Finance start with data from nearly 600 public four-year schools. The list is then narrowed down to about 130 schools based on measures of academic quality – including SAT or ACT scores, admission and retention rates, student-faculty ratios, and four- and six-year graduation rates. The editors then rank each school based on cost and financial aid. Academic quality carries more weight than costs. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, abundant financial aid and low average debt at graduation.

The public school rankings appeared in Kiplinger's February 2013 issue and online now at www.kiplinger.com/links/college.

The Princeton Review's Best Value Colleges, subtitled "The 150 Best-Buy Colleges and What It Takes to Get In," profiles 75 public and 75 private colleges the Princeton Review designates as "Best Values" based on assessments that examined more than 30 data points covering academics, cost and financial aid.

The company chose the 150 schools from 650 colleges and universities at which it conducted institutional and student surveys for this project in 2011-12. Of the 75 schools in each group, the top 10 colleges are ranked 1 to 10, and the remaining 65 are listed in alphabetical order. More information is available at www.princetonreview.com/best-value-colleges.aspx.

USA Today, the Princeton Review's publishing partner for this project since 2009, has posted the 2013 list and an exclusive database of "Best Value Colleges" information at a special area of USAToday.com, http://bestvaluecolleges.usatoday.com There, users can find detailed stats and facts about each college and sort the list several ways including by state, tuition, enrollment and average freshman grant.

About Kiplinger

For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Kiplinger.com is the fastest growing website in the personal finance space. Located in the heart of our nation's capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for families and businesses in clear, concise language.

About The Princeton Review

Founded in 1981, The Princeton Review is a privately held education services company headquartered in Framingham, Mass. The company has long been a leader in helping students achieve their education and career goals through its test preparation services, tutoring and admissions resources, online courses and more than 150 print and digital books published by Random House, Inc. The Princeton Review delivers its programs via a network of more than 5,000 teachers and tutors in the U.S., Canada and international franchises. The company also partners with schools and guidance counselors worldwide to provide students with college readiness, test preparation and career planning services.