First Best Value School trophies awarded by UR&R

First of sixteen initial awardees honored

Boca Raton, Fla. – WEBWIRE – Monday, May 12, 2014

After five months of research examining more than one hundred nominees, University Research & Review (UR&R) selected sixteen colleges and universities for the inaugural Best Value School Award. “This is not a new ranking system. There are too many of those already,” said Joseph Schmoke, UR&R’s founder and CEO. “And it’s our view that ranking colleges is a fool’s game enjoyed by those seeking prestige and ignoring value,” he added.

Schmoke, a former university CEO, former University of Indianapolis president Dr. Jerry Israel and former J.D. Power and Associates CEO Steve Goodall, along with others who had years of experience in higher education, put their heads together and came up UR&R’s strategy. All agreed there were many good, reasonably priced colleges, universities and career schools that few knew about. Rather than rank schools these seasoned experts decided to scour the country for lesser known institutions that met stringent criteria including cost, student satisfaction and, importantly, unique characteristics favoring students.

The cost of the research and selection process, which takes about three months, is absorbed by UR&R as is the crystal trophy award that is presented to those institutions designated a 2014 Best Value School. The first two trophies were presented May 6-7 to Western Governors University and Aspen University in Salt Lake City and Denver, respectively. Photos of the trophies and presentations can be seen on the Best Value Colleges website, said Schmoke.

Founded in November 2011, University Research & Review serves two closely related markets, postsecondary schools and those who are enrolled or plan to enroll in these schools. For colleges, universities and career schools, the Best Value School designation is an endorsement by experienced higher education professionals. And for students the services provided by UR&R, including advice on fields of study/majors and schools, is intended to guide a student in making appropriate choices for them as an individual. “Kind of like a personal college advisor, but free,” stated Schmoke.

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