April 24, 2007

Presbyterian College is one of the nation's best value undergraduate institutions, according to the Princeton Review.

The New York-based education services company has featured PC in the new 2008 edition of its book, America's Best Value Colleges, which goes on sale today, April 24.

The guide profiles 165 colleges chosen for their excellent academics, generous financial aid packages and/or relatively low costs of attendance. In its narrative profile of the college, Princeton Review editors commend the school for its commitment to service and honor.

"The Presbyterian College school motto, Dum Vivimus Servimus, or 'While we live, we serve,'is widely recognized and encouraged by both the community surrounding the institution and its faculty," according to the profile. "Hand in hand with this commitment to service is the school's honor code, updated in 2006 … Each annual Opening Convocation begins with students and faculty promising to adhere to the aforementioned principles. Just as membership has its privileges, following an honor code can result in several benefits, as many students do not feel the need to lock their dorm rooms, and students and faculty are considered to be trustworthy by default."

The profile in America's Best Value Colleges also notes the college's commitment to academic excellence.

"Academics at PC are rigorous and challenging, and the school rightly prides itself on the attentive and dedicated professors it employs," the profile states.

PC president Dr. John Griffith said Princeton Review's latest publication rightly demonstrates the college's commitment to its students.

"The Princeton Review's recognition of those traits we hold dear at Presbyterian College – academic excellence, honor, and service – validate our mission to provide the world with the very best servant leaders. It is also gratifying to see the college recognized for its commitment to providing a liberal arts education of great and lasting value."

Robert Franek, vice president for publishing at The Princeton Review said more than 30 factors were considered to identify "best value" colleges. Four areas were covered – academics, tuition GPA (the sticker price minus average amount students receive in scholarships and grants), financial aid, and student borrowing. In PC's profile, editors noted that the college provides numerous need-based grants and academic scholarships – with 90 percent of the student body receiving some type of financial aid.

"The 90 public and 75 private colleges we chose for this edition offer a terrific education, plus they have impressive records of meeting students' needs for financial aid," he said. "We highly recommend them as America's best college education deals for 2007."

The Princeton Review selected the schools for the book based on data it obtained from administrators at more than 650 colleges during the 2005-06 academic year – and its surveys of students attending the schools.

One survey response states, "The Honor Code is a huge part of PC. We all take great pride in upholding it. Also, the size of our school and the relationships between students and professors are a huge strength."

The college's profile also points to PC's successful graduates.

"Presbyterian College graduates are sought by leading businesses and educational institutions and have a high acceptance rate into schools of medicine, law, and religion and graduate programs at major universities," it states.

For more information about Presbyterian College, go to www.presby.edu.  The Princeton Review will post a list of its 165 best value schools on its site –www.PrincetonReview.com.

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