10 Best Values in Private Universities, 2011-12

The universities on our top-100 list include both the most prestigious research institutions in the world and lesser-known, regional institutions.

The universities on our top-100 list include both the most prestigious research institutions in the world and lesser-known, regional institutions.

But all offer the range of majors and degrees that typify the university model, and all deliver the quality and affordability that represent our definition of value.

Of the top ten schools in our rankings, seven offer enough financial aid to bring the annual total cost to less than $20,000.

The top 10 schools you\'ll see featured in this slide show are the best of the best.

Jane Bennett Clark
Senior Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
The late Jane Bennett Clark, who passed away in March 2017, covered all facets of retirement and wrote a bimonthly column that took a fresh, sometimes provocative look at ways to approach life after a career. She also oversaw the annual Kiplinger rankings for best values in public and private colleges and universities and spearheaded the annual "Best Cities" feature. Clark graduated from Northwestern University.