University of new orleans makes u.s. news & world report's "least debt" list for third year in a row

For the third straight year, the University of New Orleans ranks among the universities whose students graduate with the lightest debt loads, according to U.S. News & World Report. UNO ranks second among national universities in percentage of graduates with debt and 15th in terms of average amount of debt.

The list examines the debt load of the class of 2012 and includes loans taken out by students from their colleges, from private financial institutions and federal, state and local governments. Average amount of debt refers to the cumulative amount borrowed by students who incurred debt. For UNO's class of 2012, that amount was $18,271. Only 14 other national universities had a lower average debt load.

Of the 26 national universities listed on the "least debt" list, UNO's percentage of graduates with debt (18%) is the second lowest, trailing only Yale University (17%). The university with the lowest average amount of debt is Princeton University ($5,096). Universities included in the national universities category offer a full range of undergraduate programs, plus master's and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research.

"This type of national recognition reinforces the value of a degree from the University of New Orleans," said UNO President Peter J. Fos. "This university was founded on the twin pillars of accessibility and academic excellence, and those two characteristics continue to be the legacy of our institution. Our goal is to prepare our students to excel in their chosen careers without excessive amounts of debt."

The information is contained in U.S. News & World Report's 2014 edition of Best Colleges.