Stanislaus State Earns Two Top 10 Spots in Washington Monthly’s Annual College Rankings

Stanislaus State continues to demonstrate its commitment to offering students a quality education that prepares them for the workforce without breaking the bank. 

In Washington Monthly’s annual “College Guide and Rankings” released Aug. 27, Stan State landed the No. 2 position in the “Best Bang for the Buck” in the West category, leaping up three spots from its 2022 ranking. 

Washington Monthly ranks four-year schools — national universities, liberal arts colleges, baccalaureate colleges and master’s universities — based on their contribution to the public good in three broad categories: social mobility, research and providing opportunities for public service.  

The publication’s “Best Bang for the Buck” list identifies universities that excel in supporting students from less affluent backgrounds in obtaining marketable degrees at affordable prices. 

Stan State also earned the No. 9 spot on Washington Monthly’s national “Master’s University Rankings” list. The master’s category honors four-year liberal arts institutions that emphasize arts and sciences over professional programs, with evaluations based on their efforts in social mobility, research and the promotion of public service. 

“We are thrilled Stanislaus State is among the top 10 on two of Washington Monthly’s distinguished college rankings,” said Interim President Susan E. Borrego. “Our inclusion in these rankings confirms Stanislaus State’s commitment to providing a high-quality, affordable education to students while offering transformational opportunities that advance their economic mobility.  

“For each dollar a Stan State student invests in their education, they will receive $12.10 in higher future earnings. We are proud to equip students with the tools and skills for their success and contributions to their families and communities.” 

“We are thrilled Stanislaus State is among the top 10 on two of Washington Monthly’s distinguished college rankings. Our inclusion in these rankings confirms Stanislaus State’s commitment to providing a high-quality, affordable education to students while offering transformational opportunities that advance their economic mobility. We are proud to equip students with the tools and skills for their success and contributions to their families and communities.” 

– Susan E. Borrego, Interim President

Instead of rewarding schools for their prestige, wealth and exclusivity, The Monthly gives points to schools that help non-wealthy students earn gainful degrees, encourage students to vote and serve the community and produce scholars and scholarship that drive economic growth and human betterment. 

Washington Monthly’s approach to ranking colleges and universities began in 2005, and its metrics revolve around three core principles:  

• An institution’s commitment to enrolling and graduating students from lower-income families, using Pell Grants as a primary data source;  
• The ability to produce impactful scholarship and foster scholars that propel economic growth with federal research funding as a pivotal measure; and  
• The encouragement of students to be proactive citizens, gauging this by their participation in national and community service initiatives. 

Stanislaus State’s inclusion in The Monthly’s newest rankings is among the most recent recognition of the University for its academic programs, student success and economic mobility outcomes.  

Third Way, a national think tank based in Washington, D.C., released its Economic Mobility Index (EMI) for 2023 on Aug. 23, and included Stan State among its Tier 1 schools, which represents the top 20% of institutions on the EMI.  

Rather than prioritizing selectivity and test scores, Third Way takes a different approach by defining value based on how well institutions serve their low-income students and the proportion of low- and moderate-income students a school serves. 

The index rated institutions based on the rate graduates can recoup the cost of their degree and the growth of their earnings gains. According to its methodology, on average, it takes Stan State students 0.7 years to pay down the total net cost (after receiving financial aid) of their education. 

“Institutions in the top tier are unambiguously delivering strong economic mobility outcomes,” according to the report. 

In other recent rankings, finance website Money.com released its college ratings and named Stan State among the “Best Colleges in America,” placing the University among the top third of the 736 four-year public and private colleges from across the nation that made the cut.    

Additionally, Stanislaus State earned a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of “Best 389 Colleges” for 2024, marking the University’s 18th consecutive year on the Review’s national list of best colleges. The Review also recognized Stan State as one of the top 79 colleges in the West along with seven other California State University campuses.