Stanislaus State earned five-star ranking in Money’s 2025 ‘Best Colleges’ list
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- Money.com highlighted Stan State’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution
- 14 other California State Universities earned four stars or better
- Stan State was among the 10% of the annual ranking out of 732 schools
Stanislaus State University earned a five-star ranking based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, student outcomes and more. The university is the only Central Valley institution that made Money.com’s annual Best Colleges List.
“This five-star recognition from Money.com affirms the intentional work happening across our Turlock and Stockton campuses to uplift students, families and communities throughout the Central Valley,” Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis said in a university press release. “As one of only 19 public universities in the nation to receive this top rating, Stanislaus State continues to prove that a truly transformative education can be both excellent and affordable.”
Stanislaus State’s ranking on Money.com follows a recent ranking from The Princeton Review naming the University a 2025 Best Value College for its high return on investment in higher education.
Money.com highlighted Stan State’s designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution, low faculty-student ratio and its proximity to Yosemite and San Francisco. The profile also includes a breakdown of the cost of attendance, financial aid, admissions rate and markers of student success.
In addition to Stanislaus State University, 14 other California State Universities earned four stars or better and rank in the top 10% of the annual ranking out of 732 schools. A five-star ranking means that the college scores exceptionally high in its quality of education, affordability and outcomes, according to their methodology.
Money.com’s press release points out that “affordability is relative” with many students in the California State University system having to work multiple jobs to afford a degree.
Rios-Ellis believes that Stanislaus State’s ranking is not only a marker of the university’s success, but the Central Valley’s.
“When Stanislaus State thrives, the Central Valley thrives — and the nation is taking notice,” Rios-Ellis said in a university press release. “We’re proud to serve this region and honored to be seen as a national model for opportunity, equity and impact.”
This story was originally published July 8, 2025 at 10:58 AM.