CSUB gets top rankings in Washington Monthly's 2022 College Guide

University ranks No. 13 in Best Bang for the Buck, No. 26 in Master’s University lists

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 1^st, 2022

California State University, Bakersfield received top rankings by the magazine Washington Monthly as part of its 2022 College Guide.

CSUB was ranked No. 13 in the Best Bang for the Buck: West list and No. 26 in the Master’s Universities list. CSUB's rankings have risen from last year; in 2021, Washington Monthly ranked the university No. 25 in the Best Bank for the Buck list and No. 68 in the Master’s Universities list.

“At California State University, Bakersfield, we are energized by these outstanding rankings and the bright future we see ahead for our students and community,” said President Lynnette Zelezny. “A degree from CSUB is a passport to good jobs in our region and beyond, and a reminder to families that the best, most affordable and accessible university education is right here in their own backyard. We want to thank our students, faculty, staff and the families we serve for believing in CSUB and its commitment to excellence and value.”

The Master’s Universities ranking focuses on four-year institutions that award a significant number of master’s degrees but few or no doctoral degrees. The rankings are determined based on a university’s contributions in three categories: social mobility, research and promoting public service.

The Best Bang for the Buck ranking is based on how well colleges help students attain degrees at affordable prices. The list is created by isolating social mobility metrics from the main rankings of four-year institutions, according to Washington Monthly.

CSUB has frequently been ranked high for affordability by various outlets. The university has made several rankings over the past year, including No. 5 in economic mobility by national think tank Third Way, No. 20 in CollegeNet’s 2021 Social Mobility Index and No. 21 out of a list of the 25 most affordable four-year colleges in the nation by Best Value Schools.