A new set of college rankings released this month by U.S. News & World Report featured USC on its list of Top College Academic Programs in Service Learning.

The school was recognized primarily for its 35-year-old Joint Educational Project program, one of the oldest service-learning programs in the country. More than 2,000 students each school year participate in this service opportunity giving students the chance to combine their own academic coursework with community outreach.

“We know we aren’t the only program on campus, but we are the oldest and largest,” said Tammara S. Anderson, executive director of JEP. “We’re really happy for the recognition.”

USC shares the honor with 42 other schools and is one of five California colleges to make the list, along with Azusa Pacific University, California State University Monterey Bay, Santa Clara University and Stanford University.

A team of education experts worked with U.S. News to invite college presidents, chief academic officers, deans of students and deans of admissions to nominate up to 10 institutions with exceptional examples of service-learning programs. Those with the most nominations earned a place on the list.

This latest recognition comes less than a year after the Princeton Review named USC a “College With a Conscience” for its overall dedication to community service.