UMBC has again made the Kiplinger’s Personal Finance list of the 100 best values in public higher education. The list ranks four-year colleges and universities that “combine outstanding education with economic value.” This marks the third year in a row UMBC has appeared among Kiplinger’s best values. On the 2012 list released today, UMBC ranks 84 for in-state students and 63 for out-of-state. Four other Maryland universities made the list, highlighting the state’s commitment to both affordability and excellence in public higher education. Kiplinger’s assesses quality and affordability based on a number of factors, including retention and graduation rates, student-to-faculty …