Great schools at great prices: the staff at Careers & Colleges gives its picks of schools offering a great value

Careers and Colleges, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Don Rauf

Some people equate a big sticker price with success and status. Let's make no mistake: There is not always a connection between price and quality in education. Many schools with low tuitions turn out successful students and have high job and graduate school placement rates. To make our list, public schools had to cost $10,000 or less for in-state tuition, while private schools had to have tuition of less than $22,000 or offer fantastic financial aid. Note: "R&B" stands for "Room & Board" and "Size" refers to number of undergraduates.

ALBERTSON COLLEGE, CALDWELL, ID

WWW.ALBERTSON.EDU

TUITION: $14,550

R&B: $5,250

SIZE: 833

Because Albertson provides an Ivy-League education in rural Idaho, students here turn to the outdoors for fun--volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, and trips to the state's mountains and hot springs. Dedicated professors and a 13-to-1 student/teacher ratio earn the school high marks. Top students are eligible for the Heritage Scholarship that pays for four years of tuition. Popular majors are business, biology, and psychology.

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE, SIOUX FALLS, SD

WWW.AUGIE.EDU

TUITION: $17,764

R&B: $5,096

SIZE: 1,653

For students who enjoy country living but with a taste of urban excitement, Augustana may be an ideal I choice. Because it's located in the biggest city in the state (the population is still just 120,000), the school offers internships with local businesses, financial institutions, and two major hospitals. Most popular majors here are nursing, business, and education, and the 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio makes for an intensive academic experience. There are no frats or sororities on this campus. Students often turn to sports for fun.

BELMONT UNIVERSITY, NASHVILLE, TN

WWW.BELMONT.EDU

TUITION: $15,010

R&B: $6,080

SIZE: 863

Going to school in Nashville means more than nights out hearing live country music. This Christian university blends academic study with practical learning experiences. Exercise management, audio and video production, commercial music, and medical imaging technology are among the unique majors. The campus prides itself on its multi-cultural programs and its enormous sports and entertainment complex.

BLACKBURN COLLEGE: CARLINVILE, IL

WWW.BLACKBURN.EDU

TUITION: $14,600

R&B: $3,580

SIZE: 615

As one of six "work colleges" in the country, Blackburn requires all of its resident students to work as a way to gain an experiential education and serve the community. Business administration and education are by far the biggest programs here, followed by biology, social sciences and a unique program in "parks, recreation, leisure, and fitness studies." This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Blackburn soccer program. Go Beavers!

CALIFORNIA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY, RIVERSIDE, CA

WWW.CALBAPTIST.EDU

TUITION: $14,950

R&B: $7,630

SIZE: 2,359

Attention all Baptist students: CalBaptist not only offers a beautiful West Coast location and theology courses, but also a solid liberal arts and sciences program. Although its most popular courses are in music, education, and business, CalBaptist trains students in kinesiology, or the scientific study of movement, which is crucial for careers in fitness-related industries and physical therapy. Those who enjoy water sports may sign up for their top-ranked Men's and Women's Aquatics program.

COGSWELL POLYTECHNICAL COLLEGE, SUNNYVALE, CA

WWW.COGSWELL.EDU

TUITION: $12,480

R&B: NOT APPLICABLE

SIZE: 1,420

Cogswell is a unique institution linking the arts and engineering to prepare students for professional careers in the full range of digital media, including animation, video games, film, audio, and digital engineering. Cogswell grads have helped create animation for Toy Story I and II, Antz, Bugs Life, The Matrix, and Shrek. Located in the heart of the Silicon Valley, the school is two blocks from Yahoo and has close ties to other companies in the region. There is no campus housing--students live in the Bay area and enjoy the vibrant city life of San Francisco and Oakland.

DOANE COLLEGE, CRETE, NE

WWW.DOANE.EDU

TUITION: $15,620

R&B: $4,720

SIZE: 2,263

Although it has a Christian affiliation, Doane is a private liberal arts college open to all students, especially those interested in business, marketing, communications, and journalism. The teacher certification program is also very strong. Students have opportunities to earn a double major, pursue independent study, take courses abroad, and design their own major.

D'YOUVILLE COLLEGE, BUFFALO, NY

WWW.DYC.EDU

TUITION: $14,690

R&B: $7,340

SIZE: 2,476

Besides its outstanding programs in health care and teacher education, D'Youville has one other very striking feature: 80 percent of the students at this co-ed school are women. The school, however, is eager to recruit more men into its nursing, dietetics, physician assistant, and occupational and physical therapy programs. The rowing, volleyball, and basketball teams are all highly competitive. To take a break, students head to Toronto (a 90-minute drive) or to the nearby ski slopes.