AASCU Applauds Washington Monthly Ranking Highlighting Value of Regional Public Universities

Contact:
Kellee Edmonds
(202) 478-4662
edmondsk@aascu.org

WASHINGTON, August 25, 2025−The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) applauds the release today of Washington Monthly’s 2025 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars rankings. The rankings recognize the essential role that regional public universities (RPUs) play in delivering high-quality, affordable education opportunities that fuel social mobility and economic growth across the U.S.

Of the top 100 highest-ranking institutions, 45 are RPUs, including seven of the top 10, which are AASCU members.

“Regional public universities are the cornerstone of access to higher education for the nation’s next generation of leaders,” said Charles L. Welch, AASCU president and CEO. “These institutions not only provide a valuable education at an affordable cost, but also anchor their communities, drive innovation, and expand opportunity. Washington Monthly’s recognition underscores what we already know: RPUs are indispensable in shaping a stronger future.”

The rankings highlight the consistent delivery of exceptional value to students and taxpayers that RPUs provide, reaffirming their role as engines of upward mobility and vital contributors to America’s workforce and economic success.

###

The American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) is a Washington, D.C.-based higher education association that represents the sector of over 500 regional public colleges, universities, and systems whose members share a learning- and teaching-centered culture, a historic commitment to serving today’s students, and a dedication to research and creativity that advances their regions’ economic progress and cultural development. These are institutions delivering America’s promise.