Best Buy

GAMBIER, Ohio (July 30, 2004) Kenyon has been designated a "best buy" by the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2005, one of the top-rated guides to the best colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Kenyon is among 23 private and 20 public colleges and universities selected to this category based on the quality of their academic offerings relative to the cost of attendance. According to the Fiske Guide, the "best buy" designation will help students and families "looking for ways to get the best value for their education dollar."

The guidebook gives high marks to Kenyon's pure liberal arts and sciences curriculum and rigorous "but largely noncompetitive" academics. It takes note of Kenyon's national reputation in English and drama as well as the popularity of political science and the Integrated Program in Humane Studies, while adding that "at Kenyon, it's hard to find a weak department."

Kenyon's faculty earns praise for their enthusiasm, passion, and accessibility. Another plus is the strong community atmosphere, fostered by the friendliness of the students and the College's small size. Special preprofessional opportunities garner attention, as do the high acceptance rates of Kenyon students to graduate and professional programs.

Compiled by Edward B. Fiske, former education editor of the New York Times, and a staff of researchers, the Fiske Guide to Colleges rates more than 300 colleges and universities on academics, social life, and quality of life. It also describes the campus culture and lifestyle, lists strongest programs, and provides admissions statistics.

The guidebook's selections are based on surveys of thousands of students, teachers, and administrators, visits to campuses, admissions and financial-aid statistics, and tuition. From this data, staff members compose a profile of each school.