Stanislaus State continues to demonstrate that an affordable education can deliver extraordinary returns, earning a place on Forbes’ list of the “25 Colleges with the Highest Payoff.”
The Forbes recognition highlights institutions where students see exceptional return on investment, measured by factors such as low student debt, strong alumni earnings and long-term career success.
Introduced in 2024, the “highest payoff” ranking recognizes universities that combine affordability with proven career outcomes. Stan State’s inclusion for a second consecutive year underscores its consistent success in preparing students for long-term achievement while keeping education accessible.
For Stan State, the accolade affirms the University’s mission of transforming lives through access and opportunity. With most of its students coming from the Central Valley — and many being the first in their families to pursue higher education — affordability and career payoff are more than statistics. They signal generational impact made possible through Stan State’s commitment to academic excellence, career preparation and strong community and employer partnerships.
That mission is reflected in the journey of alumna Melissa Ramage-Stephens. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Stan State in 2011, returned more than a decade later to pursue a single-subject teaching credential, and in 2024 was recognized as a Rogers Scholar. In May, she crossed the Commencement stage once again, this time celebrating the completion of her teaching credential.
“I became the woman that I needed in my youth,” Ramage-Stephens said. “I wanted to be a role model and a mentor so that I could share my traumas and experiences with my students someday.”
Her story exemplifies how Stan State provides opportunities for growth and advancement at every stage of the educational journey, demonstrating the long-term value of a Stan State degree.
The Forbes recognition adds to a growing list of national accolades honoring Stan State for affordability, quality and student success.
In the Washington Monthly’s annual College Guide and Rankings, released this week, Stan State was ranked among the top 5 master’s universities in the country and among the top 15 in the West for “Best Bang for the Buck.”
In Niche’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, also released this week, Stan State was ranked No. 80 in the nation for Best Value Colleges and No. 108 among Hispanic-Serving Institutions, further affirming its strength in affordability and service to diverse communities. Niche’s rankings include more than 4,000 U.S. colleges and universities and are geared to help students identify institutions that best match their academic goals, personal values, budgets and campus preferences.
Earlier this month, The Princeton Review named Stan State one of the nation’s Best 391 Colleges for 2026, underscoring the University’s rise as a national model for student-centered education.
In July, Money.com awarded Stan State a five-star rating, one of just 19 public institutions nationwide and the only University in the Central Valley to receive that distinction.
