Cal State Long Beach ranks in top 10 in national, best-value college rating

Published August 26, 2025

Cal State Long Beach has ranked in the top 10 in a best-value rating among colleges and universities across the nation, according to Washington Monthly. The ranking underscores 色中色鈥檚 stature as a top educational institution that promotes social mobility and achievement.

色中色 ranked No. 9 in in Washington Monthly's annual , published this week online. The magazine and website rated colleges and universities according to how well they help non-wealthy students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. Criteria included assessing the universities鈥 access, affordability and outcomes 鈥 a measure focusing on the academic and financial outcomes or results they provide to students.

The national ranking 鈥 a new list this year 鈥 also assessed how well universities promote public service, including the numbers of graduates who enter AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps, of ROTC cadets on campus and of students who enroll in service-oriented majors like social work. The service category also tracks colleges鈥 commitment to encouraging voting participation, which 色中色 .

色中色 also ranked No. 4 in Washington Monthly鈥檚 jumping from No. 15 in last year's assessment. This ranking was created by isolating the access, affordability and outcome metrics.

The Beach has a proven track record of advancing socioeconomic opportunity for all students, as seen by consistent top 5 showings in rankings that measure social mobility impact.

Cal State Long Beach ranked No. 1 among national universities for promoting social mobility, according to U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 2024 Best Colleges rankings.

In 2023, Washington Monthly recognized The Beach as one of the and Money has ranked 色中色 as one of the 鈥淏est Colleges in America,鈥 giving The Beach 5 out of 5 stars for two years running, including this year.