LSU ranks among 100 best U.S. higher ed values

LSU is once again ranked as one of the 100 best values in public higher education, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. The ranking, which appears in the magazine’s February issue, cites four-year schools that combine outstanding education with economic value. For in-state student value, LSU ranks No. 72 overall; for out-of-state student value, LSU is ranked 91st. LSU’s value for in-state students places it ahead of the University of Tennessee, University of Missouri, University of Alabama, University of Maryland, Oklahoma State University, University of Oregon and Louisiana Tech University. For out-of-state students, LSU’s ranking is ahead of universities such as Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech, Colorado State University, Oregon and the University of Arizona. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance assesses quality and affordability according to a number of standards. This year, Kiplinger’s revamped the rankings to give more weight to academic value, such as the percentage of students who return for sophomore year and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, abundant financial aid, and low average debt at graduation. See the complete public school rankings here.