Stanislaus State Continues to Shine with Two Top 10 Rankings in Washington Monthly

Stanislaus State proves once again that delivering a high-quality, affordable education is more than a mission - it's a reality that positions students for success without the financial strain.

In Washington Monthly's annual "College Guide and Rankings" released Aug. 26, Stan State landed the No. 4 position in the West for "Best Bang for the Buck." That ranking identifies universities that excel in supporting students from historically under-resourced backgrounds in obtaining career-ready degrees at affordable prices. 

Stan State also earned the No. 7 spot on the 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. 

"This recognition from Washington Monthly underscores the passion and commitment of our entire Stanislaus State community to uplift our students and the Central Valley," said President Britt Rios-Ellis. "Being ranked No. 4 in the West for 'Best Bang for the Buck' celebrates our commitment to delivering a stellar education that is both accessible and affordable, providing students the opportunity to thrive while ensuring a solid return on their investment.

 "These rankings highlight how we prepare our students for meaningful careers that contribute to their economic mobility and long-term success. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, we create a nurturing environment where our students can leverage their cultural capital to drive academic and personal success. Our students don't just strive for greatness - they graduate and become a powerful force driving health and prosperity in the Central Valley."

Since launching its college and university rankings in 2005, Washington Monthly has based its evaluations on three principles:

• How well institutions support students from lower-income backgrounds, with Pell Grant data serving as a key indicator;
• The University's role in advancing research and innovation that fuel economic growth, with federal research funding playing a critical role; and
• The extent to which universities inspire students to get involved in their communities, looking at how many participate in national and local service programs.

Rather than rewarding prestige and wealth, Washington Monthly ranks four-year higher education institutions - national universities, liberal arts colleges and master's universities - based on their contributions to social mobility, research and public service with a focus on how they help students from diverse backgrounds succeed, drive economic growth and foster civic engagement.

Stanislaus State's inclusion in the Washington Monthly's most recent rankings marks the University's most recent recognition for its academic programs, student success and economic mobility outcomes.  

In other recent rankings, Stanislaus State earned a spot on The Princeton Review's list of "Best 390 Colleges" for 2025, marking the University's 19th consecutive year on the national list of best colleges. The Princeton Review also recognized Stan State as one of the top 79 colleges in the West and in June, it named Stan State's Online MBA program as one of the top 163 in the nation. U.S. News & World Report commended Stan State graduate programs among the top 300 in the nation in April.

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