For students deciding where to invest their time, money and future, the value of a college education reaches beyond cost. It also includes the quality of the education they receive, how well they are prepared for life after graduation and what opportunities they will have to make an impact along the way.
The Princeton Review’s latest Best Value Colleges report highlights Stanislaus State on all three fronts.
The University has been named one of The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges for 2027, marking Stan State’s second appearance on the list, and ranks No. 12 in the nation among public institutions on its list of Best Schools for Making an Impact.
The Princeton Review selected 209 colleges and universities — 67 public and 142 private institutions — from more than 650 schools surveyed for its 2027 Best Value Colleges list. Stan State is the only California State University campus and the only institution serving the Central Valley included on this year’s list. The University earned a return-on-investment rating of 85 out of 99.
For students and families, those measures speak to some of the most consequential questions surrounding a college education: Is it affordable? Will students receive a strong education? Will they be prepared for careers and opportunities after graduation?
At Stan State, where more than 70 percent of students are the first in their families to attend college, the return on an investment in higher education can extend beyond an individual graduate. A college degree can expand opportunities for families and contribute to the communities where graduates live and work.
The University’s No. 12 national ranking among public schools for making an impact adds another dimension to that measure of value. Together, the Best Value designation and Making an Impact ranking recognize both the investment students make in their education and the opportunities that can follow.
“We highly recommend the schools on our Best Value Colleges list for 2027,” said Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of The Princeton Review. “In our opinion, they are truly the most exceptional in the nation at delivering outstanding academics, affordable cost and great career foundations.”
The Princeton Review based its Best Value selections on more than 40 data points covering academics, affordability and career prospects for graduates. The data include surveys of college administrators, students and alumni as well as career and salary information from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
The latest recognition adds to a series of national accolades highlighting Stan State’s value, student outcomes and role in expanding opportunity. Forbes ranked Stan State No. 19 on its 2027 list of colleges with the highest payoff. U.S. News & World Report placed the University in the Top 15 in four categories in its 2027 Best Colleges rankings, including No. 3 for social mobility, while Money awarded Stan State a five-star rating for 2026-27.
