U.S. News Best Colleges ranks La Sierra No. 3 in West for Social Mobility

In the U.S. News Best Colleges guide category Regional Universities-West, a ranking of universities in 15 western states, La Sierra University moved up two places in the overall ranking of 118 schools to land at No. 41 where it tied with the University of North Texas, Dallas. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo took the No. 1 spot. The university also placed at No. 18 for Best Value out of 44 western schools ranked in that sector. St. Mary's University of San Antonio landed in the No. 1 position for Best Value in the western region.

U.S News' Social Mobility rank, out of 113 schools in the western region, serves as an indicator of a university's ability to enroll and graduate marginalized students. La Sierra tied with California State University, Stanislaus for the No. 3 position while Parker University in Dallas, Texas took the No. 1 spot.

"We are excited by this recognition of our efforts to help our students reach their full potential. They are our bright stars as yet unrealized, whom we strive to move beyond what they believe they can achieve and help them shine," said La Sierra University President Christon Arthur. "It is in our DNA as a campus community and is central to our core values and ethos as a Christian university to serve those who need us the most. We work continually toward building equity and equality for all who become a part of our campus family. All are welcome at our table."

In the past U.S. News colleges guide, which was released last September, La Sierra University ranked No. 4 for Social Mobility, No. 17 for Best Value, and No. 43 in the overall ranking category.

"The current improvement in ranking is the result of intentional mentoring of our students, provided by faculty and professional staff," Arthur said. "Mentorship and the willingness of our faculty and staff to walk alongside our students, providing direct, caring and personal support throughout their academic journey is a hallmark of the La Sierra experience."

U.S. News' Best Value ranking looks at a school's academic quality and its true cost after need-based financial aid. U.S. News states that "only schools ranked in or near the top half of their categories are included because U.S. News considers the most significant values to be among colleges that are above average academically."

The guide's Regional Universities categories rank universities that offer a full range of undergraduate and master's degree programs and some doctoral programs.

U.S. News states that in creating the college guide, "analysts and editors calculated more than 80 Best Colleges rankings, all with the intent of enabling students and their families to identify colleges that best meet their needs. The rankings highlight colleges that excel in such areas as value, social mobility, teaching, veterans' needs, HBCUs and in six academic disciplines," business, computer science, engineering, nursing, economics and psychology.

U.S. News 2026 guide uses up to 17 factors to measure academic quality and graduate success. It integrates data supplied directly by schools with data from the U.S. Department of Education along with data from the U.S. Treasury and Department of Commerce.