(October 17, 2013)

Centenary College ranked nationally as a "Best Value"

SHREVEPORT, LA — Kiplinger's Personal Finance has recognized Centenary College of Louisiana on its list of the country's best values in private colleges. The list represents colleges that provide high-quality academics at a reasonable cost during continued tough economic times.

"With President Obama's recent emphasis on rating colleges and universities based on their value, our rankings serve as a valuable resource to help students and families make more informed choices," says Janet Bodnar, Editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. "Combining a high-quality education with an affordable price tag is a challenge, but the colleges on this year's list offer the best of both worlds."

Centenary and the other schools on the list also exemplify the attributes parents and students look for in higher education, including small class sizes, a good freshman retention rate, and a high four-year graduation rate. Centenary jumped fourteen spots in the ranking this year, from 88 to 74.

According to Kiplinger's, private colleges can actually be cheaper than some public institutions because of their generous financial aid. Over 97 percent of Centenary students receive some form of financial aid.

"We work to give every student the opportunity to do more in four in the most cost-effective ways possible," said Scott Rawles, Centenary Executive Vice President. "With immersive segments in August and May, students can earn up to 40 credit hours a year and have more time to spend on international study, global service, or original research."

Kiplinger's rankings measure academic quality and affordability. For more on Centenary's ranking, visit www.kiplinger.com/links/college.