Western Washington University ranks 33rd nationally among the 100 “Best Buy Colleges and Universities” in a list compiled by Forbes Magazine.

Forbes Magazine, which has a circulation of over 900,000, ranks colleges and universities across the nation that provide the best education at the lowest possible cost to students.

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University is the highest-ranking public, master’s-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2011 U.S. News & World Report college rankings. 

“While we are pleased to be recognized by this and other national rankings, the true measure of Western’s excellence is the quality of our programs and, consequently, the caliber of our graduates who are highly sought after by employers and who become leaders in their fields and communities. The active minds of our more than 100,000 alumni change the lives of the citizens of our state and nation in so many important and enduring ways,” said WWU President Bruce Shepard. “Our students realize their aspirations because of our dedicated, gifted and inspiring faculty and staff.”

Western Washington University was recently named to a pair of national green-college rankings based on its commitment to green building techniques, sustainability, and the use of alternative energy sources.

Western Washington University ranks among the top 100 public colleges and universities in the nation that “deliver strong academics at affordable prices,” according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

In its February 2010 issue, Kiplinger’s magazine ranks Western 54th on its list of the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges in the United States for 2009-2010. The magazine ranked Western 56th in 2008-2009.

Western Washington University’s MBA program has been ranked in the top 100 programs worldwide by the Aspen Institute.