San Diego State University (SDSU) has been recognized as one of the top colleges in the United States in the latest rankings released by the digital finance publication Money. The annual list, published earlier this summer, evaluates over 700 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges based on various metrics, including graduation rates, tuition costs, financial aid availability, and alumni income.
SDSU received an impressive score of 4.5 out of 5 stars, underscoring its commitment to providing quality education at an affordable price. The rankings specifically highlight the university’s strong scholarship support, noting that nearly all students benefit from some form of financial assistance. The university’s significant efforts to expand its financial aid offerings have been recognized, with recent statistics showing a scholarship distribution rate of 99.92% for the 2023–24 academic year, marking a historic achievement in the institution’s 128-year history.
Financial Aid and Student Success
The SDSU Scholarship Office reported that the following academic year saw an even higher distribution rate of 99.96%. “We are incredibly proud of our work in setting new scholarship records over the past two academic years,” the office stated. They emphasized that every dollar provided by donors, along with institutional and state aid, goes directly to students.
Among those who have benefitted from the university’s financial aid is Spenser Vanrossum, a 20-year-old computer science major. Vanrossum chose SDSU for its affordability and proximity to home. “Whenever I’m at SDSU, I feel right at home,” he said, adding that his navy dependent scholarship, connected to his father’s military service, significantly contributes to his college experience.
The ranking also noted SDSU’s graduation rates, which exceed expectations based on the demographics of its student body. The university reported a record high four-year graduation rate of nearly 61% for the fall 2020 cohort. This figure reflects not only the university’s commitment to its students but also its ability to serve a diverse population effectively.
Impact of California State University System
The California State University (CSU) system, which includes SDSU, has been recognized as a leader in social mobility. According to Mildred García, Chancellor of CSU, the system excels in enrolling and graduating low-income and minority students. “The tremendous scale at which we are graduating and serving students across the CSU is truly impactful, and indeed unmatched among four-year higher education systems,” García stated in a press release.
This year’s ranking by Money included all CSU campuses, with many earning four stars or higher. In fact, 15 campuses ranked in the top 10% nationwide. The magazine commended CSU schools as “engines of social mobility,” further reinforcing their crucial role in providing access to higher education for underrepresented communities.
Overall, SDSU’s recognition by Money not only highlights the institution’s strengths in academics and financial support but also emphasizes its role within the broader context of the California State University system, which continues to drive change and opportunity for students across the state and beyond.
