The New York Times recently released its third annual College Access Index, a ranking of colleges based on their commitment to economic diversity, and Stonehill was one of the few colleges nationwide to be included.

“The ranking is based on a combination of the number of lower-and middle-income students that a college enrolls and the price it charges these students,” notes The Times. To be considered for inclusion, a college must have a five-year graduation rate of at least 75 percent. There are more than 3,000 four-year colleges and universities in the country, according to The National Center for Education Statistics. But only about 170 colleges nationwide met the standard for this Times ranking. The most recent data available shows Stonehill’s five-year graduation rate at 79.4 percent.

Stonehill, which was ranked 110 among some of the most well-known schools in the nation, came out on top among the New England colleges with which it is frequently grouped.