The University of Texas at Dallas is one of the 100 best values among public colleges in the United States, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.

The annual public school rankings appear in Kiplinger’s February 2011 issue.

UT Dallas — one of only three schools in Texas to make the 2011 list — rose 26 places from last year to 54th.

“Delivering a quality education has an inherent importance and cost,” said University of Texas at Dallas President David E. Daniel. “Now more than ever, we take great pride in being recognized for delivering an exceptional education at an exceptional value.”

Selected from a pool of more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities, schools on Kiplinger’s list were ranked according to academic quality, including admission and retention rates, student–faculty ratios and four- and six-year graduation rates, as well as on cost and financial aid.

The other two Texas schools on the list are The University of Texas at Austin (14) and Texas A&M University (23).