Alfred University is one of only 44 colleges and universities included in the 2010 edition of the Fiske's 2010 Top Financial Finds on the College Tuition Market.

There are 4,200 institutions of higher education in the country, so inclusion in the Fiske Guide as a "best buy" places AU in the top one percent of value for price.

"In the face of today's skyrocketing tuition rates, students and families in all economic circumstances are looking for ways to get the best value for their education," according to a release from the publishers of the Fiske Guide to Colleges.

Author Edward B. Fiske explains, "One of the lesser-known facts of life about higher education in the U.S. is that price and quality do not always go hand-in-hand."

"Tuition and fees alone now run at least $6,000 at a typical public university and close to $30,000 at a typical private college, and the overall tab at the most selective and expensive schools tops $50,000," the release states. "A major investment like that should be approached with as much information as possible."

The revised and updated 2010 edition of the Fiske Guide to Colleges features 44 of the Best Buy Schools. These institutions are based on the quality of academic offerings in relation to the cost of attendance. To determine the list, Fiske researchers combined the cost of data with academic and other life-style information about each college and university to determine what institutions offer really remarkable educational opportunities at a relatively modest cost.

Fiske Guide to Colleges Quotes:

"The teachers are very accessible and more than willing to help students with anything they need," says a freshman.

Students say faculty members really want to see them succeed, both in class and in the real world.

"Alfred University will prepare you to go into the real world," says a freshman.

Favorite road trips are to Letchworth and Stony Brook State Parks, and to Ithaca, Rochester, Buffalo, and Toronto. Many students are skiing, hunting, camping, and rock-climbing enthusiasts.

Alfred's Division III Saxons are ominous opponents on the football, soccer, and lacrosse field, and the alpine skiing, equestrian, and men's swimming teams have all won spots in the nation's top 10.

The school has two dining halls and students say the offerings include plenty of selections for vegetarians and vegans.

"The dining facilities are very nice and well-equipped and the food is both diverse and edible," says a junior.

Visit the Fiske Guides site