Kiplinger’s has released their rankings of the 100 best values for public colleges and universities — and the winner is… the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It’s a selective school with competitive students, and yet the in-state cost only slightly above the average of all public universities at $17,000. If you’re eligible for need-based aid, “the total price for this top-tier university drops to an average of $7,020.” That’s less than the price of my used Jeep Wrangler, man.

Other colleges and universities that did well in the rankings include the University of Florida (number two) and the University of Virginia, which happens to be the institution that educated our own frugal Senior Editor, Chris Morran, (number three). “Wa-hoo-wa,” and all that.

Best Values in Public Colleges 2011 [Kiplinger’s]

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