California State University Stanislaus has been ranked 28th out of 2,500 colleges and universities nationwide by TIME Magazine.

The TIME Magazine rankings are based on a college rating system developed by President Barack Obama’s administration. The system is based on graduation rate, accessibility and affordability.

The rankings were based on six-year graduation rate, average tuition, and the percentage of students receiving federal Pell Grants, the federally funded scholarships for low-income families. Each of those areas are weighted equally in the ranking formula.

CSU Stanislaus finished third amongst California State University campuses, just behind CSU Long Beach and Fresno State.

“These rankings reinforce what we’ve long known about the CSU system and at CSU Stanislaus in particular,” CSU Stanislaus President Joseph F. Sheley said. “In addition to the quality academic programs we offer and our emphasis on student success, we are committed to providing an affordable education that is accessible to all qualified students regardless of their financial situations.”

In addition to the new TIME rankings, CSU Stanislaus has consistently been recognized in “Best Colleges” publications including the top 378 from the Princeton Review. U.S. News & World Report ranked CSU Stanislaus No. 57 among regional universities in the western U.S.. The university has also been recognized recently for affordability, environmental sustainability and friendliness toward members of the military and their families.

The Obama’s Administration formula has raised some controversy with the decision to rank universities. According to TIME Magazine, the Obama Administration plans to assign an official government rating to every college and university in the country, from tiny faith-based schools to giant state flagships, and then allocate federal financial aid according to those ratings.

To view the TIME rankings visit, http://time.com/71782/make-your-own-college-ranking/.