Despite announcing a 10-percent hike in tuition and fees, the University of North Carolina Wilmington appears to be quite a value, according to a recent survey.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance — a national magazine that covers various financial and economic topics— recently ranked UNCW No. 15 out of 100 four-year schools across the U.S. in its 2011-12 “Best Values in Public Colleges” ranking.

The analysis was based on UNCW’s graduation rate, in-state and out-of-state tuition and fee costs, and average debt after graduation, according to a news release.

While UNCW fared well in the survey, top honors went to the system’s flagship campus — University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was ranked No. 1 in the survey for its cost, high graduation rate and overall educational quality.

Other North Carolina universities included on the list include:
-    No. 19: North Carolina State University.
-    No. 33: Appalachian State University.
-    No. 41: North Carolina School of the Arts.
-    No. 45: UNC-Asheville.

To view the complete Kiplinger 100 Best Values in Public Colleges list click here.