UNC Asheville ranked a top-ten national “Best Buy” college by Fiske

Confirming its well-established commitment to access and opportunity combined with academic excellence, UNC Asheville has once again been named a "Best Buy" college by the Fiske Guide, one of only ten public universities in the nation to earn this distinction.

Schools achieving this recognition, according to the Fiske editors, offer "outstanding educational value as determined by academic quality in relation to the net cost of attendance."

Chancellor Kimberly van Noort finds the ranking gratifying but not surprising.

"As an innovative public liberal arts and sciences university of the future," notes van Noort, "UNC Asheville is increasingly a destination of choice because of our student-centered focus, hands-on learning and career-ready emphasis."

She adds, "Our graduates are prepared to move directly into careers not only because of the quality of learning that occurs with our talented faculty but also because of the high-impact practices they experience as UNC Asheville students."

The longtime education editor for the New York Times, Edward Fiske created his Fiske Guide to Colleges to provide better information for college-bound students and their families as they navigate the college search process. It's recognized by many as the top-rated guide to the best colleges.

UNC Asheville scored highly in academics, social life, and quality of life, and was given the top ranking as inexpensive and having low average debt for students.

Affordability is a key strength of the University. Over the last five years, the average accumulated debt for all graduates has been below $12,000. Qualified North Carolina residents whose family adjusted gross income is $80,000 or less are also now eligible for the new Access Asheville financial aid program, which guarantees full tuition and fees, currently valued at $7,501 per year.

Input from current students is also factored into the narrative written for each institution, providing an insider's look at the school.

With all these factors combined, Fiske concludes, "The University of North Carolina Asheville offers all the perks that are generally associated with pricier private institutions: rigorous academics, small classes, and a beautiful setting. And it does it for a fraction of the cost."

In terms of its "beautiful setting," Fiske highlights the University's ideal location "in the heart of North Carolina's gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains," adding that "the 360-acre campus lies in the middle of one million acres of federal and state forest near the tallest mountain in the East and the most heavily visited national park in the country."

Regarding academics, Fiske cites the broad-based, interdisciplinary approach to education for which UNC Asheville is known.

"Asheville's general education curriculum, the Liberal Arts Core, is required of all undergraduates," Fiske writes. "In addition to first-year and senior-capstone liberal arts seminars, students must take courses in eight areas spanning the humanities, sciences, and mathematics."

Beyond its strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences, Fiske also highlights one of UNC Asheville's many unique academic offerings.

"A joint B.S. degree in engineering (with a concentration in mechatronics) with North Carolina State University is the only such program in the state and is one of the fastest-growing majors," Fiske notes.

In addition to mechatronics engineering, UNC Asheville students can choose among 60 different wide-ranging majors, minors, concentrations and pre-professional programs.

Besides popular majors such as psychology, environmental science, art, business, computer science and biology, for instance, students can prepare for growing career sectors like atmospheric sciences, health sciences, mass communication and music technology.

One of the fastest-growing majors is new media, which blends courses across the disciplines, with a grounding in digital design, motion and interactive media, and video art and design.

Whatever the course of study, a UNC Asheville French and political science double major notes, "Our faculty's mentorship and close relationships are especially evident in undergraduate research."

In addition to pursuing a wide range of internships, an average of 67 percent of graduates conduct collaborative research or complete some form of creative endeavor with a faculty mentor. Work in areas like antibiotic resistance, cancer treatment efficacy, nanotechnology and protein-drug interactions sets UNC Asheville graduates apart when applying for that first job or for graduate school.

Another student adds, "Career advising is strong and they constantly reach out to students about future plans." And a senior sums up their college experience by reflecting, "Everyone who works here is dedicated to the student experience in some way," concluding "That means you won't be a number."

Fiske sums up its narrative about UNC Asheville with this high praise, "Indeed, all the ingredients for a superior college experience lie in wait at Asheville: strong academics, dedicated professors, and an administration that continues to push for excellence."

More information about UNC Asheville can be found here, along with details about financial aid and links to visit campus and apply.

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