TOWSON, Md. - According to a report by Kiplinger's Money Magazine, Towson University is ranked among the top universities in the nation that give a good education at a good price.

“Oh, we are all thrilled. Absolutely thrilled,” said Towson University President Dr. Maravene Loeschke.

Towson moved up two places this year and they say the ranking elevates their visibility beyond the mid-Atlantic.

“I think the fact that we've been recognized before has already put us in that area, but any time you go up the list like we did this year, it always brings you more national recognition,” Loeschke said.

One of the points the college administrators would like to make is that at some of these valued schools, you can get a private school education at a public school price. For instance, the average tuition at a private school is $38,000. At Towson, it's $8,000 for in-state students and $19,000 for out-of-state students.

Though it may not seem like it to the person writing the check, the leadership at the Maryland schools ask themselves one basic question.

“Are we really doing what we say we'll do, give them an excellent education at a price that won't put them in debt for the rest of their lives?” said Loeschke.

Because of that, interest and applications are higher this year than last.

In compiling the list, Kiplinger's analyzes more than 500 public schools for both academic caliber—including admissions and retention rates, student-faculty ratios, test scores of incoming freshmen and graduation rates—and for total cost of tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

“It is this combination of academic quality and affordability—not any desire on our part to exclude a particular school—that determines which schools make our lists for best value,” says Jane Bennett Clark, senior editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

Recently, tuition at private colleges has cost an average $36,000 a year—a sharp contrast to Towson's current tuition and fees of just over $7,900 for Maryland residents and $19,000 for out-of-state students.

“It is an honor for Towson University to be named a Kiplinger's best value and remain in the company of the nation's top schools in maintaining both quality and affordability for students,” added President Loeschke.