Stanislaus State Earns Top Rankings in Wall Street Journal 2026 Best Colleges

Stanislaus State continues to strengthen its signal on the national stage, ranking No. 4 in the nation for social mobility and No. 14 for best value in The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)/College Pulse Best Colleges in the U.S. list.

For the second consecutive year, the University has been recognized in the rankings, which were released Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. Stan State rose three spots to No. 21 overall among 584 eligible institutions. Additional rankings include No. 39 for student experience and No. 66 for best salaries.

Only eight public institutions earned a place among the nation's top 25 colleges, including UC Berkeley and the University of Michigan, with Stan State among them, recognized for advancing access and opportunity.

Stan State is one of seven CSU campuses to earn top 50 recognition. Only San José State University ranked higher, making Stan State the system's second-highest campus on the list.

"Stan State's recognition in The Wall Street Journal reflects the seeds of success we are planting in the Central Valley - seeds that are flourishing into a model of excellence for the nation," said President Britt Rios-Ellis. "This honor is especially meaningful because it reflects Warrior voices - students and alumni who affirm that Stan State is a place of belonging, growth and possibility. As a strong Hispanic-Serving Institution and emerging Asian American Native American Pacific-Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), we are so proud of the students we serve and the legacy of their families.

"Grounded in cariño, a culture of care, our Warrior community guides graduates into high-demand fields and strengthens the workforce of one of California's fastest-growing regions. With the pulse of possibility, we continue to elevate the Central Valley while establishing ourselves as a national model for regionally responsive higher education."

"Stan State's recognition in The Wall Street Journal reflects the seeds of success we are planting in the Central Valley - seeds that are flourishing into a model of excellence for the nation."

-President Britt Rios-Ellis

The WSJ Best Colleges 2026 ranking evaluates eligible universities and was developed in partnership with College Pulse and Statista. The ranking places the greatest weight on student outcomes (70%), with additional measures of learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%). The methodology uses value-added modeling to credit colleges that help students exceed expected graduation and salary outcomes. The rankings also incorporate student perspectives, including satisfaction with teaching, learning facilities, career preparation and overall value for money.

Stanislaus State's recognition in The Wall Street Journal underscores the University's growing impact in the Central Valley and beyond. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, Stan State mirrors the diversity of the Valley, with many students the first in their families to pursue higher education. Many Stan State graduates remain rooted in the region, fueling the workforce and strengthening local communities.

High rankings in areas such as social mobility demonstrate how Stan State delivers on its promise to expand opportunity. First-generation students and those from diverse backgrounds gain access to the resources and support they need to graduate, while employers benefit from diverse and resilient talent pathways.

That impact is especially visible in healthcare, where the Central Valley faces severe shortages of doctors, nurses and behavioral health providers. Warriors are stepping up both at the bedside and beyond.

"I was born at Dameron Hospital, grew up in Stockton, and I've worked as an EMT across both San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties," said nursing student Ryan Louie. "I knew the hospitals, I knew the community, and I knew I wanted to give back."

Gurjeet Sandhu, vice president and chief financial officer at Golden Valley Health Centers and a Stan State alumna, added that impact goes far beyond clinical roles.

"Institutions like Stan State are essential for educating professionals in finance, operations, IT and HR - areas that support healthcare behind the scenes," she said. "Even as a business or nonclinical major, you can make a huge impact in healthcare. Your skills help create the environment that allows care providers to focus on their patients. That work is just as vital."

The 2026 Wall Street Journal recognition adds to a series of recent accolades. U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges placed Stan State among the West's best universities in September, with four top 10 rankings. The previous month, Washington Monthly ranked the University No. 11 for "Best Bang for the Buck" in the West and No. 5 among master's universities nationwide.

The Princeton Review also named Stan State one of the nation's Best Value Colleges and included the University in their annual "Best 391 Colleges for 2026" guide for the 20th consecutive year, highlighting its academic excellence and affordability.