For the first time in the ranking’s eight year history, Case Western Reserve University finished in the top five for The Washington Monthly’s annual ranking of the colleges that best act in the public interest, up three places from last year.

However, in larger publications, such as Forbes and US News and World Report, which have circulation rates about 90 and 120 times greater than Washington Monthly, CWRU has received lower scores, finishing 89th in Forbes, and 37th in US News and World Report’s rankings of top colleges.

The Washington Monthly says that the ranking was created to support institutions that bring in research dollars, support low-income students, leave graduates with less debt and as an answer to other metrics which praise “colleges for closing their doors to all but an elite few.” The rankings judge higher-education institutions on three main categories: social mobility (support for low income individuals), research and service.

CWRU scored especially high marks in the service category, finishing sixth in percentage of federal work-study funds spent on service, 13th in the proportion of graduates who join the Peace Corps, 12th in community service participation and hours volunteered and third in the service staff, courses and financial aid support rank.

“We’re really honored by the award and feel like it is a great recognition for the university’s commitment to the community and the diversity of the types of service students are engaged in,” Director of the Center for Civil Engagement and Learning Betsy Banks said.

Only University of California-San Diego, University of California-Riverside and Texas A&M University-College Station were above CWRU in the overall rankings. CWRU finished ahead of University of California-Berkeley at fifth and Stanford University in sixth place.