You Get What You Pay For

In a report by the Austin Business Journal, the University of Texas is well worth the price students pay for a state-run school.

The report cited Kiplinger's 100 Best Values in Public College ranking, which scored the university as the 25th best education in the nation for the money.

Especially in hard economic times effecting all areas of life, the report noted UT as one of only three Texas schools deemed a value for students in 2010.

Strangely enough, Texas A&M, one of UT's biggest rival schools, came in as next highest in Texas, coming in at number 30 on the list. The University of Dallas clinched the 80th spot.

According to the ABJ, Janet Bodnar, editor of Kipling's, said the schools managed to make the list despite budget cuts and shrinking endowment funds. "This year’s top 100 public schools continue to deliver strong academics at reasonable prices,” she said. “In fact, in many cases, these institutions are offering the same or more financial aid as in previous years."

Can you guess the number one school on the list? It comes directly out of the Tar Heel state, North Carolina's Chapel Hill. It has headed the Kiplinger's list since the first ranking in 1998.

Kiplinger's Personal Finane is a yearly public school ranking. The list will be out in February's issue.