The Princeton Review Recognizes UMBC
As One of 50 Public Institutions in U.S. Offering Top Educational Value

CONTACT:
Mike Lurie
Office: 410-455-6380
Cellphone: 443-695-0262
mlurie@umbc.edu

January 8, 2009

BALTIMORE -- The Princeton Review has included the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) in its “Best Value Colleges for 2009” list. UMBC is one of 50 public institutions in the United States recognized for offering a combination of educational excellence and affordability.

The honor is the second major national distinction UMBC has received from leading higher-education rankings publications this academic year. In August, the U.S.News & World Report Best Colleges Guide named UMBC one of five national “Up-and-Coming Universities” along with George Mason, Clemson, the University of Southern California and Arizona State University.

The Princeton Review recognized UMBC, a 12,000-student research university, for attracting serious students and supporting them with undergraduate research opportunities throughout the Baltimore region. The campus location near BWI-Marshall Airport gives students access to internships with government agencies, nonprofits and leading private-sector companies in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. markets.

Seventy-three percent of students at UMBC receive some financial aid in the form of scholarships, loans and grants. The average amount of debt for graduating students is $20,572.

“UMBC attracts outstanding students who compete well for outstanding graduate schools and professional opportunities. We’re delighted to see this recognized by The Princeton Review’s list of ‘Best Value Colleges,’ ” said UMBC President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III.

The Princeton Review selected schools by using institutional data and student opinion surveys. Broadly speaking, it examined factors covering undergraduate academics, costs and financial aid.

A school’s academic rating was derived from admissions and other institutional data and student opinion surveys. A school’s financial aid rating was based on data about tuition, fees, room and board and need-based financial aid packages and student opinion surveys regarding award packages and the service provided by a school’s financial aid office.

In August 2008, The Princeton Review ranked UMBC second on its “Most Diverse Student Body” list in its annual college rankings book, The Best 368 Colleges: 2009 Edition.