MURRAY, KY - An area university is once again on a list of top-ranked schools nationwide.

Murray State University is recognized as a Forbes “Top 100 Best Buy College” in addition to appearing on the Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” list, both for 2012. The "Best Buy" rankings consider teaching quality, great career prospects, high graduation rates and low student debt.

Murray State is the only Kentucky public school included as a “Best Buy College,” and has been for the four years Forbes has ranked this particular category. Factoring in quality and sticker price, institutions on the “Best Buy” list offer excellent educations at a more affordable price for parents and students. MSU is ranked 69th on the list.

Of the Kentucky public universities on the “America’s Best Colleges” listing, only the universities of Kentucky and Louisville scored higher than Murray. It’s appearance on the overall list ranks Murray State among the top 8 percent of colleges in the country. Eleven other Kentucky public and private institutions made the list, scoring below Murray State. Universities at the top of the list include some of America’s oldest schools such as Harvard and Princeton.

The rankings are compiled for Forbes by the Washington, D.C.-based Center for College Affordability and Productivity.

“Murray State University’s appearance among rankings of the country’s best schools is continual and no accident,” said Dr. Randy J. Dunn, Murray State University president. “We remain particularly proud of MSU’s continued presence as a Forbes ‘Best Buy College’ because of our focus on delivering a quality education at an affordable price, particularly during tough economic times such as these. We face fiscal challenges every day, yet these rankings show that Murray State does an excellent job of preparing our students for life after college at a price that is extremely competitive.”