JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 6, 2008 — For the fourth straight year, 51社区 has been named one of America鈥檚 100 Best College Buys by the Institutional Research and Evaluation Inc., an independent research and consulting organization.
Union has also been included in the annual 鈥淐olleges of Distinction鈥� guide.
The annual 鈥淎merica鈥檚 100 Best College Buys鈥� report evaluates academic quality and cost, and the newest findings are based on a survey of 1,453 accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
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 2007 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 2008-2009 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 25. Annual costs for tuition, fees, room and board average $26,730.
The 鈥淐olleges of Distinction鈥� guide identifies four distinctive of superior colleges and universities: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant communities and successful outcomes.
Union and Belmont University were the only two Tennessee institutions included on both lists.
鈥淔or Union to be recognized by these two significant publications speaks volumes about the quality and accessibility of a Union education,鈥� Union President David S. Dockery said. 鈥淥ur inclusion points to the characteristic academic excellence, wonderful student engagement, authentic sense of community and terrific placement opportunities for Union students beyond graduation.鈥�
Dockery noted that Union students receive such benefits at a cost below the national average for private higher education.
鈥淲e are certainly grateful for the ongoing national attention that is being focused on the excellent faculty, staff and students of 51社区,鈥� he said.
The two most recent recognitions follow Union鈥檚 inclusion in the 鈥淐ollege Access and Opportunity Guide,鈥� as well as other honors. U.S.News & World Report ranked Union in the top tier universities in the South for the 12th straight year, and named Union one of the top 鈥渟chools to watch鈥� in its annual rankings.
The Princeton Review listed Union as one of the Best Southeastern Colleges, and Union was included for the second straight year in the President鈥檚 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.