Nationally Praised For the 19th Year and Counting

For the 19th consecutive year, Stanislaus State has been included in The Princeton Review’s “Best 390 Colleges for 2025” college guide. This prestigious list doesn’t rank institutions, but instead highlights the nation’s top 390 schools for undergraduates. The University also is featured on the publication’s “Best West” regional list for schools it considers “academically outstanding.” 

Only about 15 percent of America’s 2,600 four-year colleges are profiled in the guide, and Stanislaus State is one of just two California State University campuses to make the list this year.  

The Princeton Review — an education services company known for its tutoring, test-prep, admission services, books and other learning resources — chooses the colleges for the guide based on data collected annually from surveys of 2,000 college administrators about their institutions’ academic offerings. It also considers feedback from college students, who report on their experiences at these institutions. 

“Being recognized as one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review for the 19th consecutive year is a profound honor,” Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis said. “This accolade speaks volumes about Stanislaus State’s passion and dedication to our students’ success.  

“As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, it also reflects the ability of our faculty and staff to integrate our students’ cultural capital throughout the Stan State experience, preparing our graduates to soar to new heights, all the while lifting others as they climb,” Rios-Ellis said. “As Warriors, we don’t just aim for excellence; we live it every day in every classroom and community. As Stan State students strive, they learn to thrive and become the indomitable economic and social engine fueling the Central Valley.” 

The guide’s methodology incorporates student reviews, which cover various areas including academics, administration, financial aid and campus life. The 89-question survey is available to students throughout the school year, and feedback is collected electronically from 168,000 students at the 390 schools in the guide. The organization collects approximately 430 surveys per school. 

“As Warriors, we don’t just aim for excellence; we live it every day in every classroom and community. As Stan State students strive, they learn to thrive and become the indomitable economic and social engine fueling the Central Valley.” 

-Britt Rios-Ellis, President 

“We salute Stanislaus State for its outstanding academics and many other impressive offerings,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief and lead author of “The Best 390 Colleges.” “We recommend it as an ideal choice for students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college.”  

The Princeton Review also commended Stan State students, who described the University as “an uncut gem,” offering what they believe to be “the highest level of university education that you can receive for the smallest amount of money.” 

Many students indicated in the report that “the student community is a very welcoming and accepting space.” One undergraduate summed it up by stating, “I do not feel left out because there are so many programs and clubs that interest me, and there’s something for everybody.” 

Building connections with peers is one of the best parts of college according to survey responses from Stan State students.  

“We spend a lot of time deepening our relationships and ourselves and developing our small overlapping communities,” one student wrote. 

Above all, students agreed that one of the most special things about their campus is the “diversity among the student body that presents perspectives from hundreds of different life paths, perspectives, and philosophies.” 

In a “Survey Says” sidebar in the guide’s profile on Stan State, The Princeton Review lists topics that students who were surveyed agreed with the most, including: “Active student government,” “Lab facilities are great,” “Great Library,” “Students are friendly,” “College radio is popular” and “Active minority support groups.” 

The Princeton Review recognition is the University’s most recent commendation for its academic programs and student success outcomes. 

In June, finance publication Money.com named Stanislaus State among its 745 “Best Colleges in America.” Last fall, U.S. News & World Report ranked Stan State in the Top 10 Best in the West in four categories, including No. 2 for social mobility and No. 4 top public schools. 

Stan State graduate programs have also recently been recognized for excellence. In June, The Princeton Review named Stan State’s Online MBA program as one of the top 163 in the nation. U.S. News & World Report commended Stan State graduate programs among the top 300 in the nation in April.