GREAT SCHOOLS at GREAT PRICES

Careers and Colleges, Nov, 2000 by Robert Franek

Here are 12 colleges that offer a top education at less-than-Ivy-League cost.

My father was famous for saying that our family's first house cost less than one year's tuition at my college. A friend's mother once observed that if it weren't for college tuition she could buy a new Cadillac every year. burn it, and still save money. The truth is, some colleges do cost a bundle, but with a little research you'll find many superior schools that are "reasonably priced." Considering that some by League schools cost more than $30,000 per year, "reasonably priced" here means $15,000 or less at a public school (for in-state tuition, room and board) and $20,000 or less at a private school Here are our top 12 value picks. Note that for public schools, the cost is given for out-of-state students with in-state costs in parentheses.

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY (ASU)

Tempe, AZ www.asu.edu

Cost: $14,738 ($7,282) Enrollment: 33,948

A very hot, very big school, ASU has excellent academics, stellar student services, and a wealth of extracurricular activities. Helpful services abound-such as Campus Match, an effort to bring together small clusters of students within the huge university. Tempe is a traditional university town with a youthful spirit, mostly dominated by ASU-sponsored events. The school's most popular programs are business, psychology, and education, but excellent smaller programs, such as journalism, should not be overlooked.

CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORKBROOKLYN COLLEGE

Brooklyn, NY www.brooklyn.cuny.edu

Cost: $16,983 ($13,383) Enrollment: 10,183

Brooklyn College has a straightforward philosophy: Prepare students for advanced learning by supplying a comprehensive foundation. Core courses range from "Mathematical Reasoning" to "People, Power, and Politics" to "Landmarks of Literature." Although the college offers many majors, biology and marine biology courses are particular gems. The school's bio labs have supplied fish for experiments on space shuttle missions. As you would expect, New York City provides plenty of opportunities for students seeking internships, jobs, or just plain fun.

THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY

Ewing, NJ www.tcnj.edu

Cost: $14,092 ($10,775) Enrollment: 6,000

For a smart buy, you can't go wrong with The College of New Jersey, one of the most competitive schools in the New Jersey state system. According to "The Best 331 Colleges" (The Princeton Review, $20), students praise the faculty for being approachable, interested, and dynamic in the classroom. Unlike other state schools, The College of New Jersey is comparatively small. Services such as the college's Resume-Bank, a job-tracking and recruitment service, make job placement a snap.

DEPAUL UNIVERSITY

Chicago, IL www.depaul.edu

Cost $20,970 Enrollment: 11,166

DePaul boasts a low tuition and faculty who are valued for their student rapport and teaching ability. Although DePaul is a fairly large institution in an urban setting, it has a small-school feel. It's a diverse community where students may excel. And Chicago serves as a great outlet for both social and academic pursuits.

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY

Philadelphia, PA www.temple.edu

Cost: $17,752 ($12,624) Enrollment: 18,175

Looking for a large university with a close- knit feel, located in a diverse metropolis? Like many urban schools, Temple is experiencing somewhat of a renaissance. Students are flocking to the City of Brotherly Love, where they can complement their academic experience with the hands-on experience of internships. The school's internship program gets credit for boosting the placement rate of graduates-94 percent land jobs or a spot in grad school. Temple is known for its communications and business schools, and admission standards are increasingly tough. Campus quality-of-life continues to improve with the construction of residence halls and a sports arena. Although the majority of students are local and live off campus, there is plenty of on-campus activity1 especially during the week. Temple is a fine pick for the city-loving student looking to cash in on the great rewards of a big school.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY

Tuskegee, AL www.tusk.edu

Cost: $15,256 Enrollment: 2,616

A small, historically black school, Tuskegee University was founded by Booker T. Washington, the renowned African-American educator and author. The university's mission is to prepare students to become "productive members of the national and world communities." Tuskegee has several quality liberal arts departments, but its science and engineering programs are known for producing more African-American aerospace engineers than any other school. Students say they are happy with their academic experience, as well as the social one. Although situated in a rural area, Tuskegee is located a short drive from Atlanta, a popular spot for students seeking urban thrills. At Tuskegee, students can expect an academically competitive, but supportive, environment.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-SANTA CRUZ Santa

Cruz, CA www.admissions.ucsc.edu

Cost: $17,852 ($11,843) Enrollment: 9,960