Washington Monthly ranks CSUB No. 9 for affordability, No. 19 for master’s programs

CSUB among top 20 in Bang for the Buck College: West and Master’s University lists

By California State University, Bakersfield

September 1^st, 2020

California State University, Bakersfield was recently ranked by Washington Monthly for their 2020 College Guide and Rankings as No. 9 on the Best Bang for the Buck College: West list and at No. 19 for the Master’s University ranking.

“We are thrilled but not surprised at our ranking in the Top 10 for best value in the West. When students invest in their future by enrolling at CSUB, they are making one of the best decisions of their lives. Taking that first step opens doors for decades and produces leaders that shape and advance our region,” said CSUB president, Dr. Lynnette Zelezny.

CSUB is in good company on the Best Bang for the Buck College: West list with fellow California State University campuses, including Stanislaus, San Bernardino, Northridge and Long Beach.

The Best Bang for the Buck Colleges: West were ranked according to how well they help low-income students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices. Over 70% of undergraduate students at CSUB are Pell Grant eligible, an indication of financial need.

Included on the Master’s Universities list are many of the same CSUs, along with Chico State. Rankings for Master’s Universities are based on four-year universities that award a significant number of master’s degrees but few or no doctoral degrees – based on their contributions to the public good in three broad categories, including: social mobility, research and promoting public service.

CSUB has been ranked for social mobility and affordability for many years. In 2020, Great Values Colleges ranked CSUB No. 26 in the Top 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with Return on Investments (ROI). In 2017, CSUB was ranked No. 3 for Upward Mobility by the Equality of Opportunity Project.

The net price for attendance for families below $75,000 income is $5,034, while the predicted median earnings 10 years after graduating CSUB are $47,958. The percentage of repaying $1 in loan principal five years after leaving college is 57%.