UF students can remain confident they are getting the most out of their money.
According to a study published by Kiplinger Personal Finance magazine, UF is ranked among the best values in public colleges for the third year in a row.
Kiplinger, based in Washington, D.C., publishes business forecasts and personal financial advice.
UF ranked No. 3 in best value in Florida and No. 8 in the country. In 2012, UF was ranked No. 2, but it fell to No. 3 in 2013. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was ranked No. 1 both in and out of state.
Other Florida universities on the list are New College of Florida, Florida State University, University of Central Florida, University of South Florida, Florida International University and University of North Florida.
Kiplinger started with 1,200 public and private four-year schools provided by Peterson’s, a university data system.
Rankings are based on competitiveness, graduation rates, academic support, cost of tuition, financial aid and student debt.
UF in-state tuition is $17,233 per year and out-of-state tuition is $39,511 per year. The average debt students have after graduation is $20,708.
UF spokesman Steve Orlando said the ranking reflects well on UF.
“I think this is really good news for all Floridians because they can be confident that their state’s preeminence university offers higher value of education in the country,” Orlando said.
“The economy has improved in the past couple of years and a good investment like this never goes out of style,” he said.
