It’s that time of year again when school rankings hit the presses! Today The Princeton Review, in coordination with USA Today, revealed their 100 “Best Value Colleges for 2009.” Based upon a variety of factors — including tuition, financial aid, the academic quality of students, and student satisfaction — they came up with a list of the colleges and universities that will give you the most bang for your buck.

Of course, we don’t want to bore you with the same-old listing you can find elsewhere, so instead we’re spotlighting the top three schools in the private and public categories and giving you the need-to-knows.

Private Colleges

3. Princeton University (Princeton, New Jersey)
Tuition: $34,290
Enrollment: 4,918
In the news: As of 2006, Princeton University has stopped accepting Early Decision college applications.
What others say: In 2008, Forbes magazine gave Princeton University the top position on its list of “America’s Best Colleges.”

2. Harvard College (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
Tuition: $36,173 – $47,215
Enrollment: 6,648
In the news: In order to reduce overcrowding, Harvard College has decided not to admit any transfer students for the next two academic years.
What others say: This year, U.S. News and World Report declared Harvard University the best college in the country.

1. Swarthmore College (Swarthmore, Pennsylvania)
Tuition: $34,564
Enrollment: 1,491
In the news: As of the end of 2007, all student loans have been eliminated from student financial aid packages with scholarships taking their place, instead.
What others say: Recently ranked the third top liberal arts college in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Public Colleges

3. College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Tuition: $18,276 (in-state) and $37, 356 (out-of-state)
Enrollment: 5,792
In the news: Three College of William & Mary alumni, are slated to be members of President-Elect Obama’s cabinet.
What others say: U.S. News and World Report ranked the College of William and Mary 32nd amongst all universities nationwide.

2. New College of Florida (Sarasota, Florida)
Tuition: $4,127 (in-state) and $23,766 (out-of-state)
Enrollment: 785
In the news: The New College of Florida’s rise to the top of the rankings is a big deal, considering it only just became its own institution in 2004.
What others say: In 2007, U.S. News and World Report had the New College of Florida tied for the top position on its list of the best public liberal arts colleges in the nation.

1. University of Virginia (Charlottesville, Virginia)
Tuition: $20,173 (in-state) and $40,473 (out-of-state)
Enrollment: 13,726
In the news: In 2008, for the first time, the University of Virginia did not accept any Early Action or Early Decision applications.
What others say: The University of Virginia has the noteworthy distinction of being one of the eight schools to make up the original Public Ivys.

– Genevieve M. Blaber