BEREA, Ky. – A small school out in Kentucky was recognized as the Best Value College in the United States.

The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education have named Berea College the best value institution in the United States.

The survey, which included 938 institutions, calculated rankings by dividing each of the 250 schools’ overall scores by its average net price.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the rankings took into account four areas, with 40 percent of the overall score based on student outcomes, 30 percent on resources, 20 percent on engagement with students and 10 percent on the learning environment.

Berea College’s top ranking was followed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the University of Washington, Seattle; and Purdue University.

Berea College President Lyle Roelofs notes that Berea serves students from the lowest income quartile.

“We’re the best choice for a really bright, really hardworking student who doesn’t have the funds to pursue an education somewhere else,” said Roelofs.

Every Berea College student receives a tuition promise scholarship. It’s worth about $100,000 over four years. Berea students work on campus as part of that scholarship. The jobs range from office work to wood crafting.

Students like Shania Swann remarked that financial assistance gives her even more motivation to work hard both in and out of class.

“I knew Berea was the only option that I had,” Swann said. “I knew that without Berea College, I wouldn’t have been able to go to college.”

Berea College is located about 40 miles south of Lexington. It’s one of nine federally-recognized work colleges in the United States.