UC Riverside has cracked the top 10 of Money magazine’s 10 Best Colleges in California rankings in 2020.

The rankings, released Feb. 18, are based on its 2019 Best Colleges For Your Money list, which scores institutions on affordability, quality of education, and student outcomes. UCR jumped 20 places to No. 12 in that list of national universities and colleges.

The newest Money list notes UCR is relatively young compared to other California universities.

“Today, it distinguishes itself as being a top pick not only for the strength of its engineering and plant science programs but also for its diverse study body,” the magazine states.

The list also cites the campus’ large number of first-generation students and financial assistance for undergraduates, with about 80% qualifying for grants to lower their costs.

The magazine praises UCR’s academic programs, particularly in plant biology, entomology, genomics, and environmental sciences, which have helped protect the state’s agricultural industry. Also highlighted were the 22-acre Givaudan Citrus Variety Collection and the Eaton Collection, which features one of the largest collections of science fiction and fantasy literature in the world.