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SANTA PAULA, Calif.-Thomas Aquinas College has once again been ranked one of the 50 "Best Value" private colleges in the country by The Princeton Review as reported January 8, 2009, by USA TODAY. Noting that "now, more than ever, students and parents need to make every education dollar count," the USA TODAY report explains that The Princeton Review's selection criteria looked not only at costs and financial aid, but at academics as well. Says Ben Zelevansky, director of data analysis for The Princeton Review, "This is not a list of America's Best Financial Aid Packages. This is a list of schools that provide the best balance of a strong education and a reasonable cost of attendance….The schools on our list really go above and beyond."

Thomas Aquinas College is one of only five "Best Value" private colleges and universities located in California, along with CalTech, Harvey Mudd, Pomona, and Stanford. Moreover, Thomas Aquinas College is the only private Catholic college in the country to have been ranked a "Best Value" by The Princeton Review.

Also released on January 8, 2009 were Kiplinger's annual 50 "Best Value" rankings for private universities and private liberal arts colleges. Dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for families and businesses on saving, investing, planning for retirement, and paying for college, Kiplinger's has ranked Thomas Aquinas College number 33 of 50 "Best Value" private liberal arts colleges in the country. In this report, only one other Catholic institution in the United States ranked in the top 50 category (College of the Holy Cross).

Accounting for their methodology, Kiplinger's states, "Our rankings measure academic quality and affordability, with quality accounting for two-thirds of the total….These institutions…provide a top-quality education at an affordable price-usually with generous financial aid."

Says President Thomas E. Dillon, "In this time of financial turmoil, it remains good news to prospective students and their parents that Thomas Aquinas College is maintaining its reputation for academic excellence at a competitive price."

For information about admissions please email admissions@thomasaquinas.edu, visit the website at www.thomasaquinas.edu, or call 1-800-634-9797.