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SALISBURY, MD---Calling ºÚÁÏÍø “a rising star in the Northeast,” The Princeton Review, in partnership with USA Today, has named the University among its Top 50 “Best Value” Public Colleges in the nation for 2010.

This is the second consecutive year Salisbury has made the list. The accolade comes on the heels of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s recently naming SU among its Top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges,” again confirming what any student or parent likes to hear during these times of economic turmoil: SU is a great value. 

According to The Princeton Review, Salisbury “has recently made a transformation from regional gem to an internationally recognized institution attracting students from 31 states and 54 countries.” It lauds SU’s commitment to community involvement, internships and study abroad programs.

SU is the only University System of Maryland campus to make this year’s Princeton Review list. Other Maryland campuses include St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the U.S. Naval Academy. On the Kiplinger’s list, Salisbury was one of only four Maryland campuses, including the University of Maryland College Park, St. Mary’s and the University of Maryland Baltimore.

“To be named a best value in either of these publications for a single year would be impressive, but to be ranked among the nation’s best in both for two consecutive years is a very high honor indeed,” said SU Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs Diane Allen. “This is a testament to the ongoing hard work of our faculty, who provide each of our 8,200 students with a quality education, and our staff, who enable us to provide services and facilities while keeping costs down. Economically and academically, this combination allows SU to stand out as a Maryland university of national distinction.”

Robert Franek, Princeton Review senior vice president-publisher, echoed this:  “We know many families and students have serious concerns about paying for college in these tough economic times. There are many first-rate institutions offering outstanding academics at a relatively low cost of attendance … including some that may surprise applicants. We’re pleased to have again teamed up with USA Today to identify and commend the 100 colleges that do just that and do it best in the nation.”

The Princeton Review rankings are based on surveys from more than 650 colleges and universities nationwide. Some 30 factors related to academics, costs of attendance and financial aid were considered. The Kiplinger’s rankings are based on “a combination of outstanding academic quality and an affordable price tag.” Lists in both publications were topped by such schools as the University of Virginia and the University of Georgia.

These accolades are the latest addition to SU’s national rankings. For the 11th consecutive year, SU is one of The Princeton Review’s The Best 371 Colleges, and also is among The Best Northeastern Colleges. For the 13th consecutive year, SU was named one of U.S. News & World Report’s Top Public Universities—Master’s category (North), maintaining its status as the highest-placing public master’s-level university in Maryland. The Chronicle of Higher Education also recently named SU one of its 2009 “Great Colleges to Work For.”

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The following is The Princeton Review/USA Today’s assessment of SU:

“A rising star in the Northeast, ºÚÁÏÍø has recently made a transformation from regional gem to an internationally recognized institution attracting students from 31 states and 54 countries.

“A member of the University System of Maryland, Salisbury offers more than 40 undergraduate programs, of which business, biology, communications arts, elementary education, and nursing are the most popular. The school emphasizes community involvement, and it focuses on creating career-ready graduates passionate about their professions. For example, within the school’s well-regarded business program, the ABLE (Applied Business Learning Experience) internship is the program’s central practicum and eases the transition from business student to business professional by requiring students to complete an internship before graduation. In addition to the myriad opportunities in their own backyard, the school encourages students to pursue opportunities overseas. Every year, students from Salisbury can be found volunteering, interning, or studying in every corner of the globe, from Tanzania to New Zealand.

“Prospective Salisbury students can look forward to attending classes on a beautiful 150-acre campus, which boasts a nationally recognized arboretum and a unique sculpture collection. The Student Office of Activity Programming (SOAP) takes full advantage of the gorgeous setting, bringing plenty of concerts, comedians, and open mic nights to the campus, and the university is home to several champion Division III Sea Gulls sports teams.

“Salisbury, Maryland is a small town of 70,000 located within a two-hour drive of three large cities: D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Currently, about a quarter of Salisbury students live on campus, and the school has plans to complete a large residence hall and a new retail complex.”

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For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.