Chico State University was ranked one of the top public universities in the West by the U.S. News & World Report.

The university is no stranger to the list. It took third for the second time in three years, ranked fourth and third in 2003 and 2002, respectively, in the magazine's universities-master's category.

"It's flattering at the university," said Joe Wills, public relations director at Chico State. "We think it's an outstanding place to go to school."

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and Western Washington University topped Chico State, clinching the first and second spots in the "America's Best Colleges 2004" issue.

This year, Chico State finished 29th among all western universities - both public and private - consisting of 126 schools. The university has been ranked in the top 10 western public schools since 1998.

Wills said while it's obviously nice to be in the top tier of schools, the rankings aren't emphasized.

"We don't make a big fuss about it," he said.

The lack of excitement comes from the fact that magazines tend to change the criteria the rankings are based on from year to year. This, Wills said, causes slightly varied results, which keep readers interested.

"(Chico State) can drop a place or two, but we don't feel that has to do with the quality of the institution," he said. "We think it's about selling magazines."

Some of this year's ranking criteria include student-to-faculty ratio, graduation and freshman retention rates, and SAT/ACT scores, according to U.S. News. Chico State fared an 80 percent freshman retention rate and a 46 percent graduation rate. The university had a 20 to one student-faculty ratio. And SAT tests ranged from 930 to 1,140.

Wills said one of the changes in criteria this year was the drop of yield - the percentage of students who actually register after they are accepted by a university.

One of the criteria not changed is a peer evaluation. By this method, top academics of a university rank peer schools. In theory, Wills said, schools could be targeted and knocked down the ranks.

In other categories, Princeton University shared first place with Harvard University for national-doctoral schools. It was Princeton's fourth consecutive year in the top spot.

Wills doesn't discredit U.S. News. He said it puts as much substance into its rankings as any other magazine. And for students and graduates, Wills said the ranking is great.

"It's a point of pride for them," he said.