UC Riverside ranks high in affordability and return on investment according to a recently released 2019 ranking by Forbes.

The campus placed No. 27 in Forbes “America’s Best Value Colleges” list, jumping 37 places from last year’s No. 64 ranking. Among public universities, UCR is No. 12.

The magazine describes its list as “the definitive guide for those looking for an excellent return on one of the most important investments of their lives.”

In its listing for UCR, Forbes praises its roots in agricultural research while also calling the campus “an engine for inclusivity and mobility.”

The magazine compiled a list of 300 public and private colleges and universities, comparing data on 645 institutions across the country.

The magazine assigned scores in six categories: quality, net price, net debt, alumni earnings, timely graduation, and access for low-income students. It notes that the presence of Pell Grant students is a plus that shows institutions creating opportunities for low-income students.

At UC Riverside, 85 percent of students receive financial aid, with 53 percent receiving Pell Grants.

“The number of low-income Pell Grant recipients at UCR is higher than the number at all the Ivy League schools combined, and nearly 60% of UCR undergraduates are the first in their families to complete a four-year degree,” Forbes states.

The listing marks the latest in a series of high placements on college ranking lists for UCR. In the 2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UCR was the fastest-rising university, climbing 39 spots from its 2018 placement. Earlier this month, Business First placed UCR No. 69 on its list of colleges and universities that offer the best educational experiences to students.