Bellarmine University offers one of the nation’s best values among private universities, according to research by Kiplinger, which publishes financial advice for consumers. Bellarmine was one of 177 top private universities across the U.S. that Kiplinger identified as a best value, based on a combination of factors including cost, institutional financial aid, graduation rate and average debt upon graduation. Bellarmine was one of only five Kentucky universities to appear on Kiplinger's national lists of the best values among public and private universities. "It's important that Bellarmine maintain a focus on affordability, so that our renowned liberal arts and professional education programs are accessible to as many people as possible," said Dr. Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine's president. "This is one of the chief priorities in the new strategic plan we adopted this summer. It's rewarding to hear that our work in this area is earning recognition nationally, because an investment in a Bellarmine education provides an exceptionally high return throughout a graduate's career." Bellarmine's commitment to affordability is reflected in its tuition and fees for the coming academic year. The university's annual tuition increase of 1.5% represents its smallest increase in decades. Donovan noted that the university’s strategic plan focuses on both affordability and academic excellence, by delivering a distinctive, transformative, student-centered experience that prepares each graduate for lifelong success. Bellarmine places 99% of its undergraduate students in employment or graduate school within six months of graduation and generates mid-career earnings for each graduate that are 16% higher than similar institutions nationally.