Guide rates UH-Manoa
among 81 ‘best values’

Low tuition and fees
are cited in a book by
the Princeton Review

The University of Hawaii at Manoa ranks among the top 81 schools offering the "best value" undergraduate college education in the United States, according to a book published yesterday.

UH-Manoa was not ranked last year.

The 2006 edition of "America's Best College Values," a Princeton Review guide to colleges based on undergraduate academics, costs, financial aid and admission polices, notes that tuition and fees are below the national average and are "downright cheap for in-state students."

The Princeton Review cites UH-Manoa as "among the nation's premier research institutions."

But the review's rankings have not always been kind to the university. The 2005 edition of the "Best 357 College" listings, published annually in August, lists UH-Manoa in the top 20 schools in six more dubious categories, including "least happy students" (17th), "long lines and red tape" (ninth), "students (almost) never study" (sixth) and "professors get low marks" (12th).

UH-Manoa ranked No. 2 in the "professors make themselves scarce" category, meaning that students surveyed thought too many classes were taught by graduate assistants. It also ranked No. 4 in "class discussions rare," which surveyed students on the ratio of discussion vs. lectures in class.

On a more positive note, UH-Manoa students surveyed also said Hawaii had a "diverse student population," ranking No. 6 in that category.

In another book on graduate schools released in January, the Princeton Review ranked UH-Manoa's law school as having "the best environment for minority students" and the "most diverse faculty."

The "best college values" selection is based on data reported by administrators, along with surveys of current students.

The annual best-colleges rankings are based on surveys distributed online and on campuses nationwide. The surveys are divided into four sections that collectively include more than 70 questions.

The schools are surveyed at least once every three years.

The Princeton Review is a New York-based educational services company. It is not affiliated with Princeton University.