OSU Institute of Technology is once again being recognized nationally, this time as one of the best bargains in the country.

The website AffordableColleges.com recently released its list of the 50 Most Affordable Public Schools for In-State Students and OSUIT made the list ranked at 47th.

The website’s mission is to provide prospective students with information on how to make the best cost-effective decision when it comes to getting a higher education. The schools were ranked by their affordability and tendency to award scholarship funds.

“For many families, the college decision often boils down to a school’s affordability. Recognizing this reality, we created our list to help students choose the best school for their individual needs,” said Lisa Wright, outreach manager for AffordableColleges.com. “All the institutions, including OSUIT, stand out for their commitment to offering financial aid and keeping tuition low.”

OSUIT’s average in-state tuition is $3,315 with 52 percent of students receiving some kind of financial aid, whether through scholarships or work-study opportunities.

Dr. Ina Agnew, vice president of Student Services, said OSUIT is unique in that its technical programs also require paid internships as part of the curriculum so students are earning money while also applying the knowledge they learned on campus to their future career.

“We are delivering on the American Dream. It’s possible for students from all walks of life to access a college education in degree programs leading to high demand, high paying careers,” Agnew said. “We have a high return on investment and parents who want to see their children become financially independent and secure should take a look at the programs we offer, and encourage their child to do the same.”

It’s important that OSUIT be an affordable choice because its graduates are helping to fill the ever-growing skills gap in the United States, Agnew said.

“We need to make sure that OSUIT is affordable because the companies recruiting at our institution, sponsoring students and cultivating relationships with our faculty and students need and want to hire qualified, competent technicians from our programs,” she said. “If we are not affordable, we lose potential technicians.”

AffordableColleges.com developed its rankings using statistics and databases maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics, an entity of the U.S. Department of Education. Average in-state tuition and the institution’s financial aid rate were each given equal weight when determining the list.

Being an economical and affordable choice for people looking to continue their education means a broad spectrum of students at OSUIT, which only continues to benefit the campus.

“There are as many adult students as there are students who come to college directly from high school. We have people who are coming to OSUIT to start second careers, and veterans starting school after serving our country,” Agnew said. “This means in class, students can draw from the experiences of each other as they work in teams, collaborating on projects and activities. Hands-on, applied learning and interaction with people from all walks of life lead to a stronger educational experience.”