Stanislaus State Lands Four Top 10 Rankings in the West in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Colleges

Stanislaus State landed in the top 10 in four categories as one of the best universities in the West according to rankings released today (Sept. 18) by U.S. News & World Report, further solidifying the University’s impact in the Central Valley and higher education. 

The national publication unveiled its 2024 Best Colleges rankings shortly after midnight, and the University advanced its standing from last year in all four categories for universities in the West:  

• No. 3, Social Mobility (No. 4 last year) 
• No. 4, Top Public Schools (No. 9 last year) 
• No. 6, Best Colleges for Veterans (No. 12 last year) 
• No. 10, Regional Universities (No. 25 last year) 

“Once again Stanislaus State has been recognized as one of the top Universities in the West, supporting student success,” said Interim President Susan E. Borrego. “We are pleased with the University’s remarkable achievement of earning four top 10 rankings in the West from U.S. News & World Report. This distinction not only underscores our commitment to academic excellence and student success but also highlights the pivotal role we play as a regional comprehensive University in sculpting the educational landscape. Stan State is proud to contribute to a legacy of transformation and the promise of a brighter tomorrow for our students, their families and communities.” 

In addition, U.S. News published for a third consecutive year national rankings of undergraduate nursing programs that offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Stan State was included among the top 400 in the nation. 

Since 1983, U.S. News & World Report has published its annual rankings to assist college-bound students and their families in researching their options and finding institutions that best meet their needs. In its assessments, the publication uses metrics that include retention, graduation rates, faculty resources, peer assessment and financial resources.  

The rankings highlight universities that excel in areas such as value, social mobility, teaching and veterans’ needs in addition to six academic disciplines: business, computer science, engineering, nursing and new this year, economics and psychology. 

Stan State’s inclusion in U.S. News & World Report’s newest rankings marks the University’s most recent recognition for its economic mobility, academic programs and student success outcomes. 

In August, the University landed the No. 2 position on Washington Monthly’s “Best Bang for the Buck” in the West ranking and No. 9 on its national Master’s University Rankings list. That same month, Stan 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.  

Stan State also made Forbes’ annual “America’s Top Colleges” list, landing the No. 58 spot in the West and No. 103 on its public colleges ranking.  

In other recent rankings, finance website Money.com 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.