Forbes magazine has listed Cal State San Bernardino among the best value colleges and universities in the nation that offer an excellent return to students on their college investment. In Forbes’ America’s Best Value Colleges 2019, CSUSB was ranked No. 192 out of 299 colleges listed based on amassing and comparing data on 645 colleges and universities across all 50 states. “To be listed among the best value colleges and universities in the country shows our commitment to providing an exceptional and stimulating education to the students we serve,” said university President Tomás D. Morales. “It also recognizes our ongoing efforts to help our students minimize the financial burden a college education can incur.”   Forbes scored the institutions in six areas: quality, net prices, net debt, alumni earnings, timely graduations and access for low-income students. The list evaluated both public and private institutions offering four-year degrees and does not include private for-profit schools. The lists focus on schools with the highest quality and best financial outcomes. In judging quality, Forbes relied on its most recent America’s Top Colleges 2018 ranking, where CSUSB was listed 515 out of 650. For financials, Forbes used information provided by the federal postsecondary database system known as IPEDS. The publication judged each school’s net price, or sticker price for tuition, fees, and room and board minus the grants, scholarships, and education tax benefits that students receive. For state schools, Forbes used in-state tuition. It also considered the average federal debt load per student, timely (within six years) graduation rate and midcareer alumni earnings (sourced from the Department of Education's College Scorecard and PayScale). Finally, the publication considered the presence of Pell Grant students as a plus, as it tends to mean schools that are focused on creating opportunities for low-income students. Forbes scored the percentage of each school’s student body receiving Pell Grants. Thus the Forbes formula was: 20 percent rank on Forbes 2018 Top Colleges ranking, 20 percent student debt, 20 percent alumni earnings, 20 percent net price, 10 percent graduation rate and 10 percent Pell Grant recipients.