FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2007
Contact: K.E. Schwab
724-738-2199
karl.schwab@sru.edu

Consumers Digest rates SRU as one of USA’s ‘top values’

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Consumers Digest has ranked Slippery Rock University as one of the "Top 5 Best Values among Public Colleges and Universities." In its June issue, the magazine lists the 100 "top values" in American higher education. Slippery Rock University is ranked #5 among public colleges and universities.

The magazine analyzed approximately 3,800 institutions of higher learning. The rankings are based on attributes that validate or define the institutions' academic prowess factored against annual cost of tuition and room-and-board. Rankings were derived from a formula that blended the academic excellence of first-time freshman at a school (standardized test scores, high-school rank, grade-point average) with the institution's educational quality (4- and 6-year graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, percentage of faculty holding a PhD).

That "value-index" score was factored with the cost of attending each school to determine which schools offered the most academic value per dollar. The rankings were based on information from 2005-06, the latest school year for which data were available.

"Expert opinions and solid recommendations are two of our strengths," says Randy Weber, publisher of Consumers Digest, "We applied those strengths to this examination of our country's higher-learning institutions. It's designed to help parents and students find schools that will meet families' performance and financial requirements.

“The Consumers Digest ranking is an unbiased validation of the value of an SRU degree. We are very proud of the quality academic programs, activities and services we provide and that we are an affordable institution. This national acknowledgment by Consumers Digest that our students receive a great education for their investment, is just one more reason why we can say that it’s a great time to be at Slippery Rock University,” Robert Smith, SRU president, said.

            Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.