Lebanon Valley College Named a 2011-2012 Best Value Private College by Kiplinger's Personal Finance

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Students at LVC enjoy studying in the beautiful and serene Peace Garden on campus

ANNVILLE, PA (11/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Kiplinger's Personal Finance has named Lebanon Valley College one of the best values in private colleges. Kiplinger ranked 100 private universities and 100 liberal arts colleges that combine outstanding education with economic value. The annual private school report appears in Kiplinger's December issue-on newsstands Tuesday, November 8-and online now at www.kiplinger.com/links/college.

LVC and the other schools included in the 2011-2012 lists represent the colleges that are providing high quality academics, in addition to great cost value even during these tough economic times. These private colleges exemplify the traits parents and students want when looking into higher education options: small class sizes, many financial aid options, high four-year graduation rate and low debt for students after graduation. Learn more about LVC admission at http://www.lvc.edu/admission.

This year, Kiplinger adjusted its criteria to better reflect the issues affecting families. Now, the rankings give more weight to the four-year graduation rate-a measure of the college's ability to deliver academic support and of the overall cost to families--and to colleges that keep student debt down. While the criteria have shifted, the overall focus on value remains the same.

The College is known for its scholarship program and four-year graduation guarantee, in which it promises that students will earn an undergraduate degree in four years of full-time study, or the additional course tuition is free.

Although private schools have a higher price tag than many public schools at first glance, these schools ultimately provide an excellent education at a great rate because of the abundant financial aid options. For example, LVC offers guaranteed Presidential scholarship awards to students based on their high school class rank. The straight forward program awards students in the top 10 percent of their class a Vickroy Scholarship worth one-half off tuition; students in the top 20 percent a Leadership Award worth one-third off tuition; and students in the top 30 percent an Achievement Award worth one-quarter off tuition.

Lebanon Valley College is a four-year, private liberal arts and pre-professional school in Annville, Pa., offering 34 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music education, physical therapy, and science education. With 1,631 full-time undergraduate students and 58 full-time graduate students, the College opened the fall 2011 semester with its largest enrollment in history. Located in Annville, Pa., just 15 minutes east of Hershey and 35 minutes east of Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Baltimore are all approximately two hours from LVC.