Forget the traditional “grade point average.” The creators of a guide geared toward gay students have a new ranking system for universities: the Gay Point Average. It’s based on 20 factors, including whether the school has a coming-out week or if it extends domestic partner benefits to same-sex couples.

The book, The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, evaluates 100 colleges and universities across the country for their inclusiveness. Each is given a “G.P.A” of 1 to 20. Schools were recommended for inclusion by gay students who attend them. Sixteen of the schools are in New England, including the University of Rhode Island, the University of Vermont, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, the University of Maine, the University of Connecticut, Tufts University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The reference guide, published by Alyson Books in conjunction with The Advocate, a gay-themed newsmagazine, offers a unique glimpse into each college with its “outrageous factoids,” which highlight moments in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender history at each school. According to the notation for Northwestern, the university “has a bit of glam for everyone. Even the College Republicans get a piece of the action by judging the annual drag show.”

Each university profile includes the best party locale as well as the best hangout, eating place, dorm and religious organization for LGBT students. It also lists the best place to check out the guys and ladies and quotes from students about life on campus.

The book includes a top 20 list.