UGA Ranks First Nationally in Student Payback Ratio

The University of Georgia ranks first among national universities, both public and private, in payback ratio according to the January 2009 issue of Smart Money magazine.

"This ranking speaks first and foremost to the very high quality of education that UGA students receive. They leave here prepared for success by any measure, and I am proud of them," said UGA President Michael F. Adams. "Our low price makes us a great value, and overall in this poll, the best value in America."

Smart Money, a magazine published by the Wall Street Journal, quantified the long-term value of education by examining the relationship between tuition costs and graduates' earning power at two different stages in their lives. According to the survey, UGA graduates earn a median salary of $44,100 four years after graduation and $86,000 15 years after graduation. The median salaries were divided by the institution's tuition at the time of graduation resulting in a payback ratio. UGA's payback ratio is 338%.

Princeton, ranked first among Ivy League schools and 20th overall, has a payback ratio of 132% and Washington and Lee, ranked first among liberal arts schools and 19th overall, has a payback ratio of 145%. Washington and Lee is the highest-ranked private institution on the list.

The overall top-ten also included number two Texas A&M, followed by the University of Texas at Austin, Georgia Tech, the University of Washington, Rutgers University, the University of Illinois, Clemson University, Purdue University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page