Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine has named Loyola College in Maryland one of 2009’s top 50 best values in private universities and colleges.

Loyola ranks 47th in a nationwide list which includes institutions such as California Institute of Technology, which ranked first, Yale University, Harvard University, and sister Jesuit institutions, Georgetown and Boston College.

“We believe that a Loyola education is one of the best—and most important—investments a student can make,” said Loyola’s president, Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J. “We are delighted to see this belief affirmed by our inclusion in this group of such outstanding colleges and universities.”  

Kiplinger’s based its rankings on academic quality and affordability, with academic quality accounting for two-thirds of each institution’s overall score. Quality measures included factors such as admission selectivity, student-faculty ratios and graduation rates, while affordability measures relied on data including average cost after need-based aid and average debt at graduation.

To see the full list, visit www.kiplinger.com.