<br><br><a href='http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/2007/jan/005.html' target='_blank'>http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/2007/jan/005.html</a><br><br>North Carolina State University's combination of quality and affordability makes it one of the best values in higher education. In rankings released today, NC State is rated 12th among the nation's colleges and universities, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance.