WISE -- Students at the University of Virginia's College at Wise are graduating with the lowest debt load in the nation among public liberal arts institutions.

U.S. News and World Report's annual college guide says the 300 graduates of U.Va.-Wise in 2007 had less debt than students at other liberal arts schools. The issue hits newsstands Monday.

The school said this is the fifth year that U.Va.-Wise has ranked first among public colleges, and it has been first among both public and private schools in four of the last five years.

The college said that 65 percent of the 2007 graduates had student debt that averaged $9,206.

The U.S. News data includes loans taken out by students, but not by parents.

-- The Associated Press