Stan State Earns Five Stars from Money.com for Three Consecutive Years

Lindy Muñoz and Priyanka Sen arrived at Stanislaus State to build their futures.

Both found their way to the University's Pre-Law Resource Center, took part in programs and events guided by Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Blake Wilson and went on to complete law school. Last year, the Class of 2022 alumnae achieved another milestone: each passed the California Bar Examination on their first try.

Muñoz landed a job as an attorney in Turlock, and Sen is a litigation associate at a firm in San Francisco.

Their success is one example of what college value can look like beyond the numbers: preparation that opens doors, faculty mentorship that helps students envision what is possible and outcomes that extend well beyond graduation.

This value is also reflected in Stan State's latest national recognition. For a third consecutive year, Money.com awarded the University five stars in its 2026-27 Best Colleges list, which highlights institutions that deliver strong value for students and families.

Released Tuesday, June 23, the list included Stan State among 42 institutions nationwide to receive Money's highest rating and one of only 17 public four-year institutions nationally in that top category.

Money noted that several CSU campuses stood out for prioritizing affordability, access and upward mobility. Stan State was among six in the system to earn five stars this year, joining campuses in Fresno, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Bernardino and San José.

"Earning five stars from Money.com for a third consecutive year affirms what is true about Stan State: we deliver real value measured in careers built and futures transformed."

-President Britt Rios-Ellis

Money's annual Best Colleges list highlights universities where students are likely to graduate, keep debt manageable and go on to earn solid wages after graduation. The publication notes that its ratings aren't based on traditional prestige measures such as reputation or alumni giving. Instead, it evaluates colleges on measures tied to value, including cost, graduation rates, student debt and earnings after college.

"Earning five stars from Money.com for a third consecutive year affirms what is true about Stan State: we deliver real value measured in careers built and futures transformed," said President Britt Rios-Ellis. "Our students arrive carrying dreams that began generations before, and leave as social workers, accountants, nurses, educators and leaders who are closing critical workforce gaps across the Central Valley. This is what value means at Stan State: equitable access that translates into economic mobility, meaningful careers and lasting prosperity for our students, their families and the communities we are both honored and proud to serve."

For the 2026-27 list, Money began with a pool of more than 2,400 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges nationwide, then narrowed the field to 735 schools that met its initial requirements related to enrollment, data reliability, financial health and graduation-rate performance, including performance at or above the median for their institutional category or strong value-added graduation rates after accounting for student-body characteristics.

The publication then evaluated those colleges using 25 data points across three categories: quality of education, affordability and outcomes. Affordability carries the greatest weight at 40 percent, followed by quality of education and outcomes at 30 percent each.

Instead of ranking institutions numerically, Money groups colleges into rating categories. For the 2026-27 list, colleges were placed in rating levels, with five stars as the highest.

In its profile of Stan State, Money reported the University's six-year graduation rate at about 68 percent, which it said was well above the predicted rate based on the academic and economic background of the student body.

The publication also reported that 86 percent of Stan State undergraduates receive grants, with an estimated price after average financial aid of $7,840 and an average price of $3,938 for low-income students. Money listed Stan State's median student debt at $13,540.

Money also noted Stan State's 17:1 student-faculty ratio, a measure that reflects opportunities for students to make meaningful connections with faculty members.

For Warriors like Muñoz and Sen, those measures matter because the value Money recognizes begins during their time at Stan State and continues in the lives graduates build and the communities they serve.

Muñoz said Stan State's criminal justice program and Wilson's guidance were essential because she didn't come from a family of lawyers and was unsure how to navigate the path to law school.

"If it weren't for him, I don't think I could have gotten to this point," Muñoz said in a University story published earlier this year. "I found what I needed here."

Sen, who focused on intellectual property in law school, said her biology degree from Stan State proved valuable as she worked with biotech companies and scientists.

Their stories illustrate how value takes shape at Stan State - expanding opportunity through an affordable, high-quality education that prepares graduates to thrive in meaningful careers, strengthen their communities and contribute to the future of California.