Five Maryland schools make 'best value' list for 2012

The University of Maryland, College Park rose in the rankings from No. 10 last year to No. 8. Towson University moved up five rungs to 76 this year.

Three Maryland schools fell in Kiplinger’s rankings. Salisbury University dropped from 53 to 71; St. Mary’s College of Maryland fell seven spots to 42; and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County dropped to 84 from No. 63 a year ago.

For another year, the University of North Carolina ranked the best value overall.

North Carolina was followed, in order, by the University of Florida, Gainesville, University of Virginia, The College of William and Mary, and New College of Florida in Sarasota.

 Gov. Martin O’Malley released this statement on Maryland’s showing in the magazine’s survey:

“Thanks to our hardworking students, faculty and administrative staff, Maryland colleges and universities have become a national model for quality, affordable education. In Maryland, we believe in the talents, skills, innovation, education and creativity of our people as our greatest asset to help us create jobs, expand opportunity and move forward in this changing new economy. That’s why we’ve chosen to give our students the tools they need to build a better future by making higher education more affordable for more families, including a four-year tuition freeze for our public universities.’