Pennsylvania State University is among the top 50 best public colleges nationwide according to the recent ranking from Buffalo Business First, writes G. Scott Thomas for Philadelphia Business Journal.

Penn State placed at 31 out of nearly 500 four-year public colleges that were ranked by Business First. The publication limited the ranking to public schools as they offer a less expensive route to getting a college degree.

Penn State is one of five public colleges in the tri-state area recognized in the ranking. The highest ranked was University of Delaware at 22, followed by Rutgers University at 25.

The schools that placed highest on the list had strict admissions processes, high retention rates, strong graduation numbers, and more affordable tuition fees. Other key factors included diverse faculties and student bodies along with strong economic communities.

First place on the list went to University of Michigan, closely followed by University of North Carolina in second.

The best ranked school from Pennsylvania was the University of Pittsburgh at 23. Temple University also cracked the top 100 at 73, while West Chester University came in at 129, closely followed by Pennsylvania State University-Harrisburg at 135.

Read more about the rankings at Philadelphia Business Journal by clicking here.