California State University, Bakersfield’s affordability and high-quality master’s programs have been recognized by Washington Monthly magazine as part of its 2025 College Guide.
CSUB was ranked No. 8 in the Master’s Universities category, a significant increase from No. 28 last year. The university also ranked No. 17 in Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck: West category.
In a new combined ranking called Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, CSUB ranked No. 44 out of more than 1,400 four-year colleges and universities from across the nation. CSUB was one of 12 CSUs to make the top 50.
“We are so proud of our faculty, staff and students for their excellence and innovation,” said President Vernon B. Harper Jr. “Time and time again, Kern County’s University is recognized in national rankings for our affordability, superior academic programs and support for our Roadrunners. But we will never rest on our accomplishments. CSUB is a university on the rise because we put in the work every day, and we will never stop striving on behalf of this community.”
The Master’s Universities list features institutions that award a significant number of master’s degrees but few or no doctoral degrees. The rankings are primarily determined based on a university’s contributions in four categories: access, affordability, outcomes and promoting public service.
Those four categories were also used to rank institutions in the new Best Colleges Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars list.
The Best Bang for the Buck ranking is based on how well colleges help students attain degrees at affordable prices. The regional rankings are determined based on access, affordability and student outcomes.
Washington Monthly is a nonprofit organization that covers U.S. politics and government in addition to higher education.
CSUB has received top rankings in affordability and social mobility by various outlets over the past year, including:
CSUB also received a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars by Money magazine as part of its 2025 Best Colleges in America rankings this summer.
Visit the Washington Monthly website for the full rankings.
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