The University of Mississippi is featured in the 2018 edition of the “Fiske Guide to Colleges,” a comprehensive annual volume of the country’s best and most interesting schools. This is the seventh year UM has been included in the guide, and it is the only Mississippi institution included.

Edward B. Fiske, former New York Times education editor, compiles the annual report on more than 300 schools from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The prestigious publication, billed as “the top independent voice in college admissions,” has been a source of crucial information for students, parents and guidance counselors for more than 30 years.

The $24.99 guide was released Tuesday.

“The university’s listing in the ‘Fiske Guide to Colleges’ is affirmation of our exceptional, nationally-recognized academic programs,” Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter said. “It also speaks to the Ole Miss family experience, especially our attention to students. We are always pleased to be recognized by prestigious, authoritative resources.”

Besides the printed edition, the Fiske guide is also available as an iPad app on iTunes and a web program available at http://collegecountdown.com/. Fiske Interactive, which is $19.99 for a 12-month subscription, allows families to go beyond the book by viewing photos of each campus, creating school lists, and taking virtual notes.

The guide also has overlap suggestions based on which colleges share the most common applications, a list of where ACT and SAT scored are optional and a professional guide that outlines the best schools based on majors or course of study. There’s also “Sizing-Yourself-Up” questionnaire that will help students figure out what kind of school is best for them.

During his 17 years as education editor of The New York Times, Fiske realized that college-bound students and their families needed better information on which to base their education choices. He is also co-author of the “Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College” and “Fiske Real College Essays that Work.”

“Readers will discover the real personality of the University of Mississippi-based on a broad range of subjects, including student body, academics, social life, financial aid, campus setting, housing, food and extracurricular activities,” Fiske said.