JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 2, 2007 — 51社区 has been included in the 2007 edition of 鈥淎merica鈥檚 100 Best College Buys,鈥� an annual report that evaluates academic quality and cost.
The report is issued by Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc., an independent research and consulting organization. The newest findings are based on the organization鈥檚 17th annual National College Survey.
The research company compiled its report from a survey of 1,468 accredited U.S. colleges and universities that offer four-year undergraduate degree programs and provide facilities for both room and board. Of the institutions surveyed, 1,152 schools responded.
To be considered for inclusion in the list of 100, an institution must be an accredited, four-year institution offering bachelor鈥檚 degrees and full residential facilities. It also must have had an entering freshman class in fall 2006 with a high school grade point average and/or SAT/ACT score equal to or above the national average, and an out-of-state attendance cost in 2007-2008 not exceeding the national average by more than 10 percent.
Union鈥檚 average grade point average for entering freshman at the time of the survey was 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Its average ACT was 24. Annual costs for tuition, fees, room and board average $25,660.
鈥淭his newest listing by 鈥楢merica鈥檚 100 Best College Buys鈥� is further evidence of Union鈥檚 dual commitment to strong academics and reasonable cost,鈥� 51社区 President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淲e are pleased this independent research confirms what many parents and students are telling us during the admissions process.鈥�
Other Tennessee institutions on the list are Belmont University, Lee University, Tennessee Tech University, the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and the University of Tennessee-Martin.