Washington Monthly magazine has again ranked Cal State LA among the top universities in the nation in its recently released annual rankings.

The magazine’s 2024 College Guide and Rankings listed Cal State LA at number three in the “Best Master’s Universities” category.

Cal State LA is ranked number two in the West in the “Best Bang for the Buck” category, which includes colleges and universities that offer students the opportunity to obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices. 

“Continued recognition as a top-ranked university is a testament to the unwavering commitment of faculty and staff to accessible, affordable, and high-quality education,” said Berenecea Johnson Eanes, president of Cal State LA. “We reflect the Los Angeles communities we serve, which gives us tremendous power and purpose as an engine for social mobility and economic prosperity.”

Washington Monthly ranks universities and colleges based on their contribution to the public good, considering factors that include social mobility, research, and promoting public service.

Cal State LA is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. The university serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni. 

The Economic Mobility Index report, released last year by the think tank Third Way, puts Cal State LA in the top tier of universities in the nation for providing the most economic mobility and the best return on investment. The study rates the nation’s four-year colleges based on calculations that consider the proportion of students receiving Pell Grants, the cost of attendance, and students’ expected earnings after graduation. 

Additionally, Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked Cal State LA at number one in social mobility. This ranking considers graduation rates, post-graduation salaries, and the proportion of students who receive Pell Grants.

Cal State LA has also been rated 4.5 stars on the Money magazine’s 2024 list of Best Colleges, sponsored by SoFi. Money’s analysis showcases the country’s top 745 colleges based on graduation rates, cost of attendance, financial aid, alumni salaries, and more.

Cal State LA is committed to engagement, service, and the public good. The university’s commitment to uplifting and transforming the economies and social well-being of communities across the region led to an anchor institution designation by the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. 

The university is a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, Minority-Serving Institution, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. 

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 24,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.