August 23, 1999
LAWRENCE - The University of Kansas is "one of the nation's best buys in higher education," according to one of the oldest and most highly rated college guides.
The 2000 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges says KU offers "solid academics, outstanding extracurricular programs, winning athletics and a stellar social life" and lists it as one of only 21 public university best buys in the U.S. The guide describes its "best buy" universities as those offering "remarkable educational opportunities at a relatively modest price."
The guide also gives KU a four-star academic ranking - the highest achieved by any Big 12 Conference school - and calls the university "a heck of a deal."
"I'm pleased that KU is once again recognized as one of the nation's top universities by this prestigious guide," said KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway. "It's a reaffirmation of the university's strong commitment to provide students with a balanced and quality experience, both inside and outside the classroom."
The Fiske Guide lauds KU's programs in journalism, accounting, theatre, child language development, finance, film and television, and architecture, as well as the university's study abroad program. The guide says KU's scholarship halls "provide the best of all possible living situations." Noting the Lied Center's offerings, it says the university "is supplying more activities than ever."
Former New York Times education writer Edward B. Fiske uses a journalistic style to profile 300 of the "best and most interesting" U.S. colleges and universities. The guide uses surveys, questionnaires and interviews to gather its information.
Five stars are possible in three areas: academics, quality of life and social life.
KU is the only Kansas university listed in the guide.
Of the 12 members of the Big 12 Conference, nine schools are evaluated by Fiske. In addition to KU, the University of Texas and the University of Colorado earned four stars for academics. The University of Oklahoma, Iowa State University, Texas A&M, Baylor University, the University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska earned three stars for academics.
The Fiske Guide cited KU, Texas, Colorado and Baylor as "best buys." Oklahoma State University, Kansas State University and Texas Tech University were not included in the guide.
Contact: Todd Cohen, (785) 864-8858 or e-mail tcohen@ukans.edu