News Summary
California State University, Stanislaus has earned a spot on The Princeton Review’s list of Best Value Colleges for 2025. This marks the first time CSU Stanislaus has received this distinction, highlighting its commitment to affordable, high-quality education and successful career preparation. With a strong return on investment rating and a significant role in enhancing social mobility, the university continues to excel in making education accessible for all students, particularly underrepresented groups.
Turlock, California – California State University, Stanislaus has been recognized as one of the nation’s Best Value Colleges for 2025 by The Princeton Review. This accolade marks a significant achievement for the university as it is the first time CSU Stanislaus has been included on this esteemed list. The designation highlights the school’s commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality higher education, and its effectiveness in preparing students for successful careers.
The Princeton Review’s list features a total of 209 institutions, which include both public and private colleges recognized for their academic strength, affordability, and promising career outcomes. In particular, CSU Stanislaus earned a remarkable return on investment (ROI) rating of 87 out of 99, distinguishing it as the only California State University campus and the sole institution serving the Central Valley on this year’s Best Value Colleges list.
Moreover, CSU Stanislaus has consistently shown its dedication to making education accessible, particularly for underrepresented groups. Over 70% of CSU Stanislaus students are the first in their families to attend college, a statistic that underscores the university’s significant role in enhancing social mobility within the community.
In addition to this latest recognition, CSU Stanislaus has also successfully secured positions on two of The Princeton Review’s Top 20 public school lists, demonstrating its strong performance across various metrics. The rankings were determined based on over 40 data points evaluating factors such as academic quality, affordability, and career preparedness.
Further enhancing its reputation, U.S. News & World Report ranked CSU Stanislaus at No. 3 in the nation for social mobility in fall 2024, while The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked it No. 2 for social mobility and No. 9 for best public college. These accolades emphasize the university’s effective community engagement efforts, economic mobility initiatives, and emphasis on volunteerism.
The institution’s commitment to providing affordable education alongside ensuring student success has garnered positive attention. CSU Stanislaus also received recognition from Money magazine as the nation’s top value-added public university earlier in 2025. Other CSU campuses that were acknowledged in Money magazine’s rankings include CSU Long Beach, San Diego State University, and CSU Chico.
CSU Stanislaus has reported a 53% graduation rate. The net price for a degree amounts to $106,349, while the average early career earnings for graduates five years post-attendance are around $42,300. These figures reflect the university’s ability to equip its students with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the workforce.
In terms of broader recognition, Time Magazine’s university rating system placed CSU Stanislaus 28th among 2,500 colleges, assessing accessibility and educational outcomes as key factors. The institution has also made notable strides in becoming environmentally sustainable and has received accolades from various college ranking publications for these efforts.
This recognition underscores California State University, Stanislaus’s ongoing commitment to providing quality educational experiences while supporting the needs of its students and the community. The university continues to focus on improving accessibility and fostering an environment conducive to student success and upward mobility.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
CSU Stanislaus Recognized as Top Value-Added Public University
San Diego State University Recognized as Top College
CSU System Celebrated for Affordability and Mobility
Piedmont High School to Celebrate Graduating Class of 2025
Additional Resources
- Turlock Journal: CSU Stanislaus Named Best Value-Added Public University Nationwide
- San Francisco Chronicle: California Best Value Public Colleges Ranking
- Modesto Bee: Central Valley University Rankings
- Wikipedia: Education in California
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Higher Education
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
