Air Force Academy selected as ‘Best Value College’ Published April 18, 2005 U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) -- The U.S. Air Force Academy is one of the nation’s "best value" undergraduate institutions, according to a Princeton Review report.The New York-based education services company announced April 18 that it chose the academy as one of 81 schools it recommends in the new 2006 edition of its book, America’s Best Value Colleges.The book is a guide to colleges with outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages and relatively low costs, according to the announcement. It includes public and private colleges and universities in 35 states.The Princeton Review selected the schools for this book based on data the company obtained from administrators at more than 350 colleges, and surveys of students attending them.Officials used more than 30 factors to rate the colleges including academics, tuition, grade point average, how well colleges meet students' financial needs and student borrowing, said Robert Franek, the company’s vice president of publishing.The book provides three-page profiles on the colleges, advice about applying for admission and financial aid, and a ranking list of the "Top 10 Best Value Colleges" overall.More than 9,400 people have applied for one of the 1,300 spots for the academy’s next freshman class. Basic cadet training begins for them June 30.