CSB/SJU was named one of the 45 “Best Buy” schools by The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2011 and was the only Minnesota school to boast the honor this year.
This is the third time both CSB and SJU have received the “Best Buy” award; the other two recognitions came in 2002 and 2003.
There are 175 institutions total featured in the Fiske Guide this year. All the schools listed are ranked for having high-quality
academics and a geographically diverse student population. Among the schools are a mix of both public and private. The list was determined by questionnaires filled out by administrators, student surveys and first-hand visits made by Fiske Guide writers themselves.
According to the Fiske Guide’s introduction, “All of our Best Buys fall into the inexpensive to moderate price category and most have four- or five-star academic ratings.”
Despite tuition increases for the 2010-2011 school year, the Fiske Guide lists CSB/SJU as an inexpensive institution, giving the schools three out of five stars for social life, academic life and quality of student life.
“The schools’ small sizes and strong sense of tradition give rise to the tight-knit community,” the Fiske Guide said in its review of CSB and SJU. “Together, the colleges have invested millions in facilities in recent years, including new and renovated facilities for art, music, theater and athletics; two new science centers; residential halls and a dining and conference center.”
CSB/SJU administrators were excited to learn that the schools were deemed a “Best Buy” by the guidebook.
“We’re very pleased,” said Director of Marketing for Admissions Tom Voller-Berdan. “Any external guidebook that says good things about the schools is great. I would classify the Fiske Guide as one of the top tier college guidebooks, making the distinction even
better.”
With the honor of being named to the “Best Buy” list, Voller-Berdan is optimistic that the schools will experience an increase in applications.
“Every little bit helps. It’s great to be able to display the distinction on our webpage, Voller-Berdan said, “Students from out of state are also more likely to use guidebooks when choosing a school so being a Best Buy might peak interest, especially in a time of escalating tuition.”
CSB senior and student ambassador Annie Carney also believes that being named in the guidebook will help reinforce students’ college decisions.
“When students are touring with me, the parents are always the most concerned about the tuition and scholarships, Carney said “ By being named a “Best Buy” school, I think it will help for prospective students because it reinforces that there are other schools out there that are more expensive, yet not necessarily as high of academic quality.”
The “Best Buy” recognition serves as a reassuring award to current and future students, setting CSB/SJU apart from other Minnesota private institutions.