Augusta University has been named among the best universities in the country in Washington Monthly’s 15th annual College Guide and Rankings.

In the overall rankings, Augusta was named among the top 50 best universities in America and third in the southeast for being a “Best Bang for your Buck” college, making the university a top institution for students to obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices. The university also ranked 10th in the nation for social mobility, which speaks to the institution enrolling and graduating large numbers of disadvantaged students.

“These rankings reflect our university’s relentless efforts in providing excellent yet affordable education,” said Augusta University Provost Gretchen Caughman. “This report gives students an idea of what to expect when they come to our university, and we will continue investing in the best faculty and increasing our partnerships, new technologies and degree programs.”

The report also noted about 30% of the university’s more than 9,000 students are the first in their families to attend college. The institution has several initiatives in place to help these students adjust to college life, including the Academic Success Center, which offers free tutoring and workshops, Student Counseling and Psychological Services, giving students free access to highly trained professionals for mental health concerns, and Academic Advisement, which pairs students with advisers to help forge a path toward future academic and career goals.

Since 2005, the magazine has published these rankings to list four-year schools based on social mobility, research and opportunities for public service. The report also highlights the nation’s most affordable elite colleges, best colleges for adult learners and best bang for the buck colleges.