In the past year alone California State University, Stanislaus has been lauded for its community engagement, economic mobility and volunteer efforts and now it can add best value to the list.

Data released by Money magazine, a publication known for providing personal finance news and advice, ranked CSU Stanislaus as the nation’s top value-added public university.

“It means we’re being noticed as one of the best colleges at serving its core constituency,” said President Joseph F. Sheley. “Members of the region are experiencing the thrill and pride that comes with a son or daughter becoming the first in the family to earn a college degree and opening doors to success.”

When it comes to colleges that add the most value throughout the nation, CSU Stanislaus was only beat out by Robert Morris University of Chicago and Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles — both of which are private colleges.

CSU Stanislaus was one of four CSUs that made the magazine’s value added list, with CSU Long Beach ranked at No. 10, San Diego State University ranked at No. 39 and CSU Chico ranked at No. 49.

According to Money magazine, this year’s list ranked colleges “based solely on value-added grades for graduation rates, earnings, and student loan repayment, eliminating schools with a negative grade in any of those areas or a graduation rate that fell below 50 percent.”

Ranking factors that were considered for the value added list included educational quality, affordability, and alumni earnings. The economic and educational backgrounds of students were also taken into consideration in order to apply an additional grade, of which CSU Stanislaus earned an A.

The total affordability of the degree was computed using the availability of merit-based aid, the average amount of student loan burden, the average time it takes to graduate and anticipated tuition increases.

CSU Stanislaus was noted for its 53 percent graduation rate, net price of a degree totaling at $106,349 and average early career earnings within five years at $42,300.

The value-added list was computed as part of Money magazine’s annual ranking of colleges that offer overall value in education. On that list, CSU Stanislaus tied for the top spot among CSU campuses with California Maritime Academy in Vallejo at No. 82 nationally.