"The Princeton Review's 2009 Best Colleges: Region by Region" is out, and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke again joined the list of best Southeastern colleges and universities.

UNCP was one of 139 schools in the region to receive "Best in the Southeast" designation, said Robert Franek, publisher and editorial director. Princeton Review produces several popular guides for prospective college students, including "America's Best Value Colleges," which also includes UNCP.

The book includes a profile of each college with comments from students. One important feature of Princeton Review's Best Colleges is that it selects institutions based on student surveys, said Chancellor Allen C. Meadors.

"This is an important guide because it originates with students," Meadors said. "However, there is no better way to judge a university than to see it for yourself. We are very pleased to continue to rank among the nation's finest universities in the 'Princeton Review.'"

According to its editors, colleges and universities that were selected met standards for academic excellence within their region. They also had to be able to survey students anonymously, either online or through their paper survey, which is distributed and collected on campus.

Here is a sample of student comments from the book:

Pembroke "is one of the most ethnically diverse campuses in the country and the most diverse in the Southeastern United States."

"There isn't a typical student at UNCP."

"Everyone hangs out together" because all the folks here seem to be just "average friendly people."

"Because Pembroke is small, you have to get involved."

"There are always dances and movies for students to attend on the weekends and during the week."

Apartment living is also popular at Pembroke, students told "Princeton Review."

This year 630 schools were selected for the "Best Colleges: Region by Region," Franek said.

"We commend these institutions for their excellent academics, and we believe our choices offer applicants and their parents a wide range of fine schools to consider applying to," the publisher said.

"My sincere thanks to the hundreds of schools that provided us information about their programs and assistance during our student survey and editorial processes."