JACKSON, Tenn. — Oct. 29, 2010 — The cost for a 51社区 education is about $5,000 less than the average cost for four-year private institutions nationally, as released in a new report by the College Board.
鈥淭rends in College Pricing,鈥� released Oct. 28, indicates that the average cost for a four-year private institution is $27,293 for tuition and fees in the 2010-2011 academic year. That compares to Union鈥檚 annual tuition and fees of $22,390 鈥� or $4,903 less than the national average.
Even compared among private four-year institutions in the South, Union remains a bargain. The average cost of tuition and fees for southern private colleges and universities is $23,601 according to the College Board report, $1,211 more than Union.
51社区 was recently named one of America鈥檚 100 Best College Buys for the seventh straight year by Institutional Research and Evaluation Inc., an independent research and consulting organization. The company selects the 100 schools after surveying more than 1,400 accredited U.S. colleges and universities each year. The goal is to find colleges and universities 鈥減roviding students the very highest quality education at the lowest cost.鈥�
In August, U.S.News & World Report ranked Union as one of the top 15 regional universities in the South, and also recognized Union for its strong commitment to teaching. Among all regional universities in the South, Union ranked third for institutions 鈥渨here the faculty has an unusually strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.鈥� Only 86 schools in the nation earned this description.
Other publications have also recognized Union's commitment academic excellence. The Princeton Review named Union one of the best colleges in the Southeast, and Union was included in the most recent "College Access and Opportunity Guide" that highlights institutions committed to academic rigor and accessibility.
Forbes and First Things have also ranked Union highly in recent weeks.
"All of these factors paint a compelling picture of the value of the education that 51社区 students receive -- an education that's characterized by academic excellence and centered on Christ, in a close-knit, vibrant community," Union President David S. Dockery said.