BestColleges has ranked Augusta University No. 5 in the country on its list of universities with the best return on investment.

To determine the universities with the best financial outcomes for graduates, the website reviewed the average cost of attendance, federal grant aid awarded to students and future expected earnings.

AU found itself in heady company, sandwiched in the Top 10 between Georgia Tech, which claimed the No. 1 ranking, and Stanford University, which garnered the 10th spot.

Last year, the Third Way think tank also ranked AU in the top 5% of universities nationwide for improving economic outcomes for lower- and moderate-income graduates.

Over the past seven years, AU has bucked national trends by continuing to increase its enrollment and by becoming a destination of choice for students across the state and the nation.

The growth is expected to continue for the coming academic year, as the university expands its variety of degree programs that meet student and employer demand.

The school offers almost 100 undergraduate majors across 10 schools of study.