UVM was ranked 24 on Washington Monthly magazine?s list of ?Best Bang for the Buck? universities published in its annual College Guide issue this September. Last month, the publication released its 2013 list. True to its name, the new category focuses on schools that give the best education and experience for the lowest cost. After making the list, the ratings are based on the cost per semester of each school, meaning the schools that cost the least are higher on the list, according to the website. However, to get on the list in the first place, each school is rated for more specific criteria.The category took data on 1,572 schools. Out of those schools, it selected 349 to undergo the best bang for the buck review process. In order to get on the list of schools to be rated, universities have to meet four criteria. First, 20 percent of the student body must receive Pell Grants. Then schools must have a graduation rate above 50 percent. The graduation rate must also be higher than the rate statistically predicted (this measure controls for schools that admit more than the required 20 percent of Pell Grant students).Finally, no more than 10 percent of graduates of the schools can have defaulted on their loans.The schools that make the cut are then ranked by price per semester. But since price is different for everyone, Washington Monthly uses the price of a hypothetical student whose family makes $75,000 per year. The publication did not take into account whether the schools were public or private.UVM was ranked 24 based on its requirement of $8,297 per semester. That number is relatively cheap compared to other institutions, but not everyone thinks so. First-year Jennifer Nelb said she does not think that UVM is particularly affordable.?I am paying a lot to go here,? Nelb said. ?I feel like I should be getting more because it?s so expensive.? Nelb is from out-of-state and pays more than her in-state counterparts. Kate Strousse is from Hartland, Vt. and said she thinks UVM?s ranking was appropriate. ?I think UVM is a great deal,? Strousse said. ?It?s a good school and it doesn?t cost as much as the other places I got into.?