"Choosing the right college is a daunting task for many students and can be stressful for the whole family. Affordability and value are near the top of most students' lists of what's important to them," said Dan Griffin, admissions director at SUNY Oswego. "Naturally we feel our tuition, quality of programs, amazing facilities and experiential learning opportunities make us a great choice. That such a reputable source as Kiplinger's agrees by naming us a 'Best Value' is a gratifying vote of confidence."

Kiplinger's assesses quality according to metrics that include the admission rate, the percentage of students who return for sophomore year, the student-faculty ratio and the four-year graduation rate. Cost criteria include sticker prices, financial aid and average debt at graduation. 

"Balancing top-quality education with affordable cost is a challenge for families in today's economy, which is why Kiplinger's rankings are such a valuable resource," said Janet Bodnar, editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance. "The schools on the 2015 list offer students the best of both worlds."

SUNY Oswego's distinctive Oswego Guarantee, which holds a student’s cost for room and meal plans constant for four consecutive years, helps keep costs down for families over four years. The Kiplinger rankings, however, are based on first-year costs alone and do not figure in this aspect of Oswego's cost advantage.

Under the pioneering Oswego Guarantee, the college also pledges that: necessary classes will be available to complete a baccalaureate degree in four years or the college will enroll the student in the needed additional courses tuition-free; the college will make small classes available all four years to encourage discussion and interaction between students and faculty; and students who complete their degree in four years or less will receive a $300 return on investment (ROI).

The complete Kiplinger rankings, including the top schools overall as well as the best values in public schools, private universities and private liberal arts colleges, are available online at kiplinger.com/links/college. The rankings will also appear in the February issue of Kiplinger's Personal Finance, on newsstands Jan. 6. 

Web visitors will find special features, including a tool that lets readers sort schools by admission rate, average debt at graduation and other criteria, plus by in-state and out-of-state costs for public universities and information about the ranking methodology.