Nation's Best Colleges

US News & World Report

America's Best Colleges 2004Guidebook

USNews

As a physician (and parent), youknow the value of a quality education.With the high cost of today's colleges, it'smore important than ever for your childrento select the right school. To thatend, hasissued its ($12.95; 800-505-6129;www.usnews.com). Students and theirfamilies should have as much informationas possible about the comparative meritsof the educational programs of America'scolleges and universities, according to editors. The data and rankings canserve as an objective guide by which studentsand their parents can compare theacademic quality of schools. According tothe College Board, the average cost for a4-year public college education now tops$38,000; for a 4-year private college education,it's $101,000.