Methodology: Best Values

These rankings were based on three variables:

1. Ratio of quality to price: A school's overall score in the America's Best Colleges 2010 rankings was divided by the 2008-2009 academic year net cost to a student receiving the average need-based scholarship or grant. The higher the ratio of a school's America's Best Colleges 2010 edition rank to the discounted total cost less the average 2008-2009 academic year need-based scholarship or grant, the better the value. Total cost equals the sum of 2008-2009 academic year tuition, room and board, fees, books, and other expenses, including transportation.

2. Percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based scholarships or grants during the 2008-2009 academic year.

3. Average discount: percentage of a school's 2008-2009 total costs (tuition, room and board, fees, books, and other expenses) covered by the 2008-2009 academic year average need-based scholarship or grant to undergraduates.

Note: In the case of public institutions, 2008-2009 out-of-state tuition and percentage of out-of-state students receiving need-based scholarship or grants were used in all calculations.

Only those schools ranked in, or near, the top half of their America's Best Colleges 2010 edition ranking categories were considered. The schools' overall Best Values ranks were determined by first standardizing the scores achieved by every school in each of the three above variables and then weighting those scores. The ratio of quality to price accounted for 60 percent of the overall score; the percentage of all undergraduates receiving need-based grants accounted for 25 percent; and the average discount accounted for 15 percent. The school with the highest total weighted points became No. 1 in its category. The other schools were then ranked in descending order. Schools with the same rank are tied.