Kiplinger names Whitman best value college in Northwest
—Staff report
Whitman ranks as the 47th best value college or university nationwide, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance's "300 Best College Values for 2018" list, published today.
This marks the college's third consecutive appearance on Kiplinger's list and the second time Whitman has been the highest-ranked institution in the Pacific Northwest.
Kiplinger bases its rankings on academic success, taking into account factors such as admission rates, first-year retention rates and four-year graduation rates; and on value, looking at sticker prices, financial aid and students' average debt at graduation. Alongside a combined ranking of public schools, private universities and private liberal arts colleges, the magazine publishes separate lists for each category.
"Our rankings, which weigh affordability alongside academic quality, are a great resource for students and their parents when sorting through college choices," said Mark Solheim, the magazine's editor.
In the 2016-17 academic year, Whitman received other accolades, including a top 10 spot on Forbes's "America's Top Colleges" list, eight appearances in The Princeton Review's rankings and being the top-ranked college in the Pacific Northwest according to U.S. News and World Report.
The Kiplinger organization, founded in 1920 and located in Washington, D.C., publishes business forecasts and personal financial advice. Full college rankings are available online and will appear in print in an upcoming issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.