News Article

Dec. 27, 2012/For Immediate Release Media Contact: Lauren Whitaker, 336-734-2891, whitakerl@uncsa.edu UNCSA RANKS AMONG BEST VALUES IN PUBLIC COLLEGES Kiplinger’s Personal Finance ranks UNCSA 31st, up from 41st last year
WINSTON-SALEM – The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) continues to climb in the rankings of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. UNCSA is ranked 31st for 2013, up from 41st in 2012. In 2011, UNCSA ranked 48th, and in 2010 it ranked 61st. The report features schools that deliver a quality education at an affordable price. UNCSA made the list thanks to its high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, available financial aid, low sticker price, and overall great value, according to Kiplinger’s. “North Carolina can certainly be proud of its arts conservatory,” said Chancellor John Mauceri. “UNCSA continues to excel not only in the caliber of our artistic achievements, but also in our academic performance and affordability.” Mauceri added that the new ranking illustrates the hard work, dedication and passion of the students, faculty and staff. “Even in challenging economic conditions, we continue on our trajectory of ever-increasing excellence,” he said. Upon hearing about the Kiplinger rankings, UNC President Tom Ross wrote to Chancellor Mauceri: "Congratulations to you and your team. This is fantastic! Jumping 30 positions in four years is amazing. Great work!" Six schools in the University of North Carolina system were ranked by Kiplinger’s this year. UNC-Chapel Hill continues to top the list, as it has since Kiplinger’s began its ranking in 1998. Of the other UNC system schools, only UNCSA improved it rank this year. The other ranked schools are: N.C. State, 21st, down from 19th last year; UNC-Wilmington, 32nd, down from 15th; Appalachian State University, 36th, down from 33rd; and UNC-Asheville, 52nd, down from 45th. Kiplinger’s assesses quality and affordability according to a number of measurable standards. Last year, Kiplinger’s revamped the rankings to give more weight to academic value, such as the percentage of students who return for sophomore year and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, available financial aid and low average debt at graduation. While the criteria have shifted, the overall focus on value remains the same. Many schools, including UNCSA, have appeared on the list multiple times, a confirmation of the consistent value these colleges provide. The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger’s February 2013 issue — on newsstands today — and online at: www.kiplinger.com/links/college. Web visitors will find special features, including an FAQ about how the public colleges are ranked, a slide show of the top 10 schools, and a tool that lets readers sort by in-state and out-of-state cost, average debt at graduation, and admission rate. About Kiplinger’s Personal Finance For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Kiplinger.com is the fastest growing website in the personal finance space. Located in the heart of our nation's capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for families and businesses in clear, concise language. About UNCSA As America’s first state-supported arts school, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a unique stand-alone public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem (“The City of Arts and Innovation”) in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. For more information, visit www.uncsa.edu <http://www.uncsa.edu/> . ###

WINSTON-SALEM – The University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) continues to climb in the rankings of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. UNCSA is ranked 31st for 2013, up from 41st in 2012. In 2011, UNCSA ranked 48th, and in 2010 it ranked 61st.

The report features schools that deliver a quality education at an affordable price. UNCSA made the list thanks to its high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, available financial aid, low sticker price, and overall great value, according to Kiplinger’s.

“North Carolina can certainly be proud of its arts conservatory,” said Chancellor John Mauceri. “UNCSA continues to excel not only in the caliber of our artistic achievements, but also in our academic performance and affordability.”

Mauceri added that the new ranking illustrates the hard work, dedication and passion of the students, faculty and staff. “Even in challenging economic conditions, we continue on our trajectory of ever-increasing excellence,” he said.

Upon hearing about the Kiplinger rankings, UNC President Tom Ross wrote to Chancellor Mauceri: "Congratulations to you and your team. This is fantastic! Jumping 30 positions in four years is amazing. Great work!"

Six schools in the University of North Carolina system were ranked by Kiplinger’s this year. UNC-Chapel Hill continues to top the list, as it has since Kiplinger’s began its ranking in 1998. Of the other UNC system schools, only UNCSA improved it rank this year. The other ranked schools are: N.C. State, 21st, down from 19th last year; UNC-Wilmington, 32nd, down from 15th; Appalachian State University, 36th, down from 33rd; and UNC-Asheville, 52nd, down from 45th.

Kiplinger’s assesses quality and affordability according to a number of measurable standards. Last year, Kiplinger’s revamped the rankings to give more weight to academic value, such as the percentage of students who return for sophomore year and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include low sticker prices, available financial aid and low average debt at graduation. While the criteria have shifted, the overall focus on value remains the same. Many schools, including UNCSA, have appeared on the list multiple times, a confirmation of the consistent value these colleges provide.

The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger’s February 2013 issue — on newsstands today — and online at: www.kiplinger.com/links/college. Web visitors will find special features, including an FAQ about how the public colleges are ranked, a slide show of the top 10 schools, and a tool that lets readers sort by in-state and out-of-state cost, average debt at graduation, and admission rate.

About Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. Founded in 1920 by W.M. Kiplinger, the company developed one of the nation's first successful newsletters in modern times. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Kiplinger.com is the fastest growing website in the personal finance space. Located in the heart of our nation's capital, the Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for families and businesses in clear, concise language.

About UNCSA
As America’s first state-supported arts school, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts is a unique stand-alone public university of arts conservatories. With a high school component, UNCSA is a degree-granting institution that trains young people of talent in music, dance, drama, filmmaking, and design and production. Established by the N.C. General Assembly in 1963, the School of the Arts opened in Winston-Salem (“The City of Arts and Innovation”) in 1965 and became part of the University of North Carolina system in 1972. For more information, visit www.uncsa.edu <http://www.uncsa.edu/> .

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