Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College has been designated a Best Value School by University Research & Review (UR&R). ABAC is the only college in the state to receive this distinction.

“We have always said you can get more for less at ABAC and are excited to be recognized for our affordable contributions to higher education,” said ABAC President David Bridges. “ABAC is an affordable destination for students. The growth we have seen since 2008 when we began offering bachelor’s degree is phenomenal.”

Tuition and fees for full time in-state student at ABAC are $3,992 per year and $12,048 for out-of-state per year. This is $26,000 less than research universities, $12,000 less than regional universities and $10,000 less than state universities based on University System of Georgia tuition rates for full-time enrollment over four years.

The Best Value School designation is determined by a rigorous qualification process, which generally takes three to four months.

“We scour available data, including actual comments by a college’s students, to find schools to present to our nominating committee for consideration as a best value school,” said UR&R Vice President Kurt Sagovac. “The nominating committee does its own review. Schools that pass that hurdle are then examined one by one at a staff meeting and if the majority votes in favor of the institution, the final steps in the process commence. The first of these steps determines what is special or unique about each school. If nothing can be identified as special or unique the school is eliminated. Schools that pass that hurdle must then select an executive to be interviewed by our founder, Joseph Schmoke.”

Schmoke interviewed Bridges during the selection process and felt ABAC truly deserved the distinction.

“We hope that the exposure ABAC receives from the Best Value School distinction will alert a larger group of cost and quality conscious potential students to the schools’ attributes,” Schmoke commented.

A total of 17 college received this distinction, other colleges receiving the award include Amridge University, Aspen University, Brescia University, Carl Sandburg College, Chatfield College, College of the Ozarks, Eastern Arizona College, Fielding Graduate University, Park University, Philander Smith College, Seminole State College of Florida, The Baptist College of Florida, Tougaloo College, Trocaire College, Western Governors University, and York College of Pennsylvania.