The Best Value Private Schools

Williams College

• Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, was ranked as the best value among all liberal arts colleges in the U.S. in 2010. The program has a long and storied history that traces back to 1793. The college enrolls approximately 2,000 students each year. Williams describes itself as a "need-blind" institution committed to providing its students with generous financial aid packages. The college offers a wide array of majors that make it possible for nearly any college student to find their niche within the school's academic programs. Some of these include American studies, astrophysics, astronomy, Classical studies, economics, philosophy, religion, Russian and women's studies. Williams boasts a 90% retention rate for entering freshmen who stay and complete their baccalaureate studies. Williams College Museum of Art is a well-known attraction on campus.

  Williams College
  880 Main St.
  Williamstown, MA 01267
  413-597-2211
  www.williams.edu

Amherst College

• Also located in Massachusetts, Amherst College was ranked the No. 2 value among private liberal arts colleges in America by "U.S. News & World Report." The school was founded in 1821 and has grown in stature to become a well-respected name in higher education. With annual tuition and fees of $48,400 (as of 2009-2010), it is notable that the average financial aid package offered to students exceeds $37,000, making the cost of school minimal overall. The college enrolls about 1,700 students annually and offers 35 different bachelor's degree programs. Some of the programs include Asian languages and civilizations, film and media studies, black studies, women's and gender studies, neuroscience, law, jurisprudence and social thought, theater and dance, philosophy, math and German.

  Amherst College
  PO Box 5000
  Amherst, MA 01002
  413-542-2000
  www.amherst.edu

Pomona College

• Located several thousand miles away from Amherst and Williams, Pomona College in Claremont, California, was ranked No. 3 by "U.S. News & World Report" in 2010. Founded in 1887, Pomona College enrolls approximately 1,500 students each year. Pomona boasts ethnic diversity, drawing students from the U.S. and 22 countries, and has a minority population of 38% of the student body. The college also boasts a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7 to 1. Its 45 academic majors are divided up among four major academic divisions: arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and interdisciplinary studies. Interdisciplinary majors include fields such as American studies, African studies, Chicano and Latino studies, environmental analysis; philosophy, politics and analysis, and science, technology and society.

  Pomona College
  550 N. College Ave.
  Claremont, CA 91711
  909-621-8134
  www.pomona.edu