Starting with nationwide data from more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities provided by Petersons, Kiplinger's generated this list of the public schools that offer the best value based on a combination of outstanding academic quality and an affordable price tag.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. University of Florida
3. University of Virginia
4. University of California at Berkeley
5. University of Michigan
6. University of California at Los Angeles
7. University of Maryland - College Park
8. University of Wisconsin at Madison
9. University of Washington
10. College of William and Mary (Virginia)

View the full list and the slideshow.

Source: Kiplinger