Two Hawai'i universities called nation's best buys

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Lucky you live Hawai'i — and go to college.

Consumers Digest magazine has ranked two Hawai'i universities as offering some of the top academic value per dollar among the nation's 3,500 institutions of higher education.

The magazine put Brigham Young University-Hawai'i at the top of its list of 25 private schools for value and UH-Manoa fifth-highest among 50 public institutions.

"Before I came here everyone was telling me the school system is terrible, but I think UH is underestimated," said Manoa senior David Anderson, a 22-year-old history major from California. "Especially with the research that goes on, it's top-notch."

The magazine created a "value index" by comparing the academic standing of first-time freshmen, including their standardized test scores, high-school rank and grade-point average, along with the institution's academic status based on graduation rates, student-to-faculty ratio and percentage of faculty with Ph.Ds. Then it factored that against nonresident tuition levels and housing costs.

"Today the price of attending a university or college often exceeds $20,000 per year," said Consumers Digest publisher Randy Weber. "Our analysis was done to help families make an informed decision that puts their hard-earned money to the best use."

At BYUH, non-church member tuition is $3,860 annually, while room and board is $4,660. At UH-Manoa, nonresident tuition is $10,060 annually, with room and board around $7,000.

Reach Beverly Creamer at bcreamer@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8013.