Institutional Research & Evaluation Inc. of Rome, Ga., has ranked Harding University in two of its 2012-2013 publications, America’s 100 Best College Buys and America’s Best Christian Colleges.

The company annually identifies the top Christian colleges and universities that provide students with the highest quality of education in a Christian environment. This year 90 colleges nationwide made the list.

Christian-affiliated schools were evaluated on grade-point averages and ACT and SAT scores of incoming freshmen. Institutions included on America’s Best Christian Colleges represent 29 states.

The company also annually names the top 100 American colleges and universities that provide students with the highest quality of education at the lowest cost.

Last spring, the company surveyed more than 1,000 colleges and universities that offer four-year undergraduate degree programs. Schools were evaluated on cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board), grade-point averages of incoming freshmen and ACT and SAT scores of incoming freshmen.

The study showed that the national average cost of attendance based upon regular cost at private institutions and the out-of-state cost of attendance at public institutions was $35,691 this year. Harding’s cost of attendance is slightly more than $21,000 a year.

Four other Arkansas schools made the list. Two were public institutions and two were private. Of the private schools, Harding’s cost was $8,000 less than the closest ranked college. The 100 schools that made the annual list represent 38 different states.

Harding is the largest private university in Arkansas with 6,815 students and attracts more National Merit Scholars than any other private university in the state. Harding also maintains campuses in Australia, Chile, England, France, Greece, Italy and Zambia. For more information visit www.harding.edu.