CSULB earns 5 out of 5 stars in ‘Best Colleges in America’ ranking

In a new Money college ranking, Cal State Long Beach has been recognized as one of the "Best Colleges in America," earning 5 out of 5 stars for the third year in a row.

Money's analysis notes that CSULB's six-year graduation rate (81%) is "well above the norm for all the schools we rated this year, so students who do enroll clearly find it a good fit."

Only 42 institutions nationwide made the 5-star list. In 2024, Money elevated CSULB from 4.5 stars to 5 stars, and The Beach has retained its 5-star status ever since.

In its accompanying write-up, Money says The Beach boasts "its own art museum, gardens, convenience stores and restaurants. There's even an on-campus educational kitchen that offers culturally inclusive pantry staples and programming on preparing healthy meals."

Money calls the campus environment "quintessentially California, with scenic, landscaped grounds just three miles from the beach. Students can spend plenty of time keeping in shape, courtesy of the school's 126,500-square-foot fitness center."

The publication calls LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid "a Long Beach landmark in its own right."

To determine the best colleges in America, Money evaluated 25 data points based on measures tied to value: how much students pay, how many graduate, how much debt they take on and what they earn after graduating. More than 700 four-year colleges and universities were analyzed.

Affordability was the most heavily weighted category, at 40% of the decision-making. Quality of education and outcomes were also analyzed (30% each).

Cal State Long Beach has ranked well nationally for many years, placing in the top 50 in the Wall Street Journal and College Pulse's 2026 "Best Colleges in America" list.

CSULB ranked No. 3 among national universities for "Top Performers on Social Mobility" in U.S. News & World Report's 2026 Best Colleges rankings. And last year, The Beach ranked No. 9 in the nation in Washington Monthly's survey of "Best Colleges for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars."