5. University of Maryland, College Park
Bgervais via wikimedia.orgUndergrad enrollment: 26,775 Student-faculty ratio: 18:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 66%; 6-yr., 82%
Annual in-state cost: $19,931
Annual out-of-state cost: $38,310
Avg. debt at graduation: $24,180
Maryland has climbed steadily in our rankings. Now the home of the Terrapins holds the fifth spot. Some credit goes to a four-year tuition freeze, which ended in 2010 but helped Maryland leap-frog its tuition-raising peers. In-staters pay an average of $12,499 after need. The 2014-15 academic year will see Maryland leave the Atlantic Coast Conference to join the Big Ten. The change promises to affect both athletic match-ups and gain UMD entry into the Big Ten's Committee on Institutional Cooperation, 15 schools that share resources, such as library materials, study abroad programs and research opportunities.
6. University of California, Los Angeles
Aegis Maelstrom via wikimedia.orgUndergrad enrollment: 27,199 Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 68%; 6-yr., 90%
Annual in-state cost: $26,888
Annual out-of-state cost: $49,766
Avg. debt at graduation: $18,814
Despite increases in tuition for California state schools, they remain competitive in our rankings, thanks to generous financial aid and rigorous academics. The posh neighborhood of Westwood in Los Angeles isn't a bad place to spend four years, but you'll need to be a top student to get into UCLA. The first of three California schools on our top-ten list admits just 25% of applicants, with 44% earning 700 or higher on the math portion of the SAT and 22% scoring 700 or above on the verbal portion. At first glance, total cost is high. But with 84% of need met, Californians who qualify for need-based aid can expect to pay just $10,229 this year.
[More from Kiplinger: 10 Top Public Colleges with the Lowest Graduating Debt]
7. New College of Florida
Garrett Crowell via wikimedia.orgUndergrad enrollment: 845 Student-faculty ratio: 10:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 51%; 6-yr., 68%
Annual in-state cost: $16,181
Annual out-of-state cost: $39,210
Avg. debt at graduation: $14,172
This tiny Florida school boasts solid academics and outstanding affordability. Its $16,181 total in-state cost, the lowest in our top ten, makes it a great deal for Floridians. And that cost shrinks to $7,674 after accounting for need-based aid. Average debt at graduation is $14,172, also the lowest in our top ten. The school ranks only a so-so 30th for out-of-state value.
8. University of California, Berkeley
Gku via wikimedia.orgUndergrad enrollment: 25,885 Student-faculty ratio: 17:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 71%; 6-yr., 91%
Annual in-state cost: $29,049
Annual out-of-state cost: $51,927
Avg. debt at graduation: $17,116
Berkeley admits only 22% of applicants, making it the most selective school in our top 100. Over one-third of these elite students scored 700 or above on the verbal portion of the SAT, and 58% hit 700-plus on the math portion. Its $29,049 in-state price tag may seem high, but average debt at graduation is $17,116, the third lowest in our top ten.
9. SUNY Geneseo
MattBritt00 via flickr.comUndergrad enrollment: 5,485 Student-faculty ratio: 20:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 69%; 6-yr., 81%
Annual in-state cost: $18,519
Annual out-of-state cost: $27,769
Avg. debt at graduation: $21,000
With the lowest total costs for out-of-state students in our top ten, SUNY Geneseo is the number-one pick in our rankings for out-of-staters. But that doesn't mean New Yorkers can't expect to find value as well. In-state total cost is $18,519, and that shrinks to $14,047 after accounting for need. And students enter with high test scores: 24% scored 700 or higher on the SAT verbal portion while 20% scored 700 or higher on the math portion.
10. University of California, San Diego
K. Oyama via flickr.comUndergrad enrollment: 23,046 Student-faculty ratio: 19:1
Graduation rate: 4-yr., 56%; 6-yr., 85%
Annual in-state cost: $26,632
Annual out-of-state cost: $49,510
Avg. debt at graduation: $19,936
UCSD has the lowest total cost among our top California schools, and it lands at number ten for the second time in a row. Its sticker price isn't cheap, but San Diego delivers on generous financial aid, with students carrying an average of $19,936 in debt at graduation. And while climate doesn't officially factor into our rankings, balmy winter weather makes this Pacific Coast school even more alluring.
