Although Georgetown University is ranked as the 4th most expensive university in the nation according to CampusGrotto, it is not an unaffordable university – according to Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine’s “100 Best Values in Private Colleges” list, Georgetown ranks 21st for both the most affordable and the best-valued school in the country.

Though Georgetown’s ranking dropped from its place of 16th last year, it still edged out schools such as Columbia University and Cornell University. Topping this year’s rankings are the California Institute of Technology, Yale and Princeton Universities.

“In terms of affordability, Georgetown remains committed to its long-standing policies of need-blind admissions and meeting the full financial need of undergraduates so that students who [are] able to get in to Georgetown can afford to come here,” Julie Bataille, university spokesperson, said.

President DeGioia said that the need-blind admission policy instituted in 1978 was one of the most significant policies that the university has ever made.

“The top 10 percent of the graduating class is [approximately] 65 percent out of the 35 percent of students who receive need-based scholarships,” DeGioia said.

The average cost of Georgetown this academic year after need-based aid was $28,000, with approximately 79 percent of the student population receiving aid from grants. The average debt for Georgetown students after graduation is $24,935, according to the magazine.

DeGioia said in a statement that the rankings reflect the university’s efforts to provide both an excellent and affordable education.

“While this ranking is one independent measure of Georgetown’s value, especially in this economy, I am pleased to be recognized among our peers for providing outstanding academic quality at a valuable price,” he said.

The rankings for Kiplinger’s “100 Best Values in Private Colleges” list are compiled by examining both the quality of education that a university offers, which counts for two-thirds of the total score, as well as its affordability after loans and grants are issued, according to the magazine. The admission rate, the student-to-faculty ratio, the graduation rate and the total cost of education are also taken into account when these rankings are being decided.

In the face of the recent economic downturn, the university is looking at more ways to make the education at Georgetown more affordable, according to Bataille.

“In this uncertain economy, university officials are closely monitoring economic benchmarks and taking prudent steps to plan conservatively so that we will be able to continue to invest in strategic areas such as faculty and financial aid,” she said.

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