Kiplinger Names CMC #7 Best Value College

If you're concerned about getting your money's worth from Claremont McKenna, Kiplinger's most recent ranking may put your mind at ease. Claremont McKenna College was ranked #7 on the Kiplinger 100 "Best Values in Private Colleges" list, which was released yesterday.  In uncertain economic times, students are more concerned with choosing a college that is both affordable and will give them good job opportunities after graduating to pay back student loans, if necessary.  CMC's high ranking on this list suggests students can get a valuable degree without breaking the bank.

Although CMC's yearly costs total a hefty $53,625, average need-based financial aid is $34,276, and average debt at graduation is $9,259.

In contrast to other popular college rankings lists, including Princeton Review and U.S News and World Report, Kiplinger does not use student, faculty, or administrator surveys to compile its rankings.  The magazine's methodology is based only on measurable factors, including admissions rate, graduation rate, and amounts of aid.  This relieves Kiplinger from some of the criticism levied at Princeton Review and U.S. News and World Report, whose controversial lists are based in part on subjective judgments of peer institutions or students.

You can view the full list here. All four other Claremont Colleges also made the list: Pomona (#2), Scripps (#25), Harvey Mudd (#27) and Pitzer (#50).