Stanislaus State continues to garner national acclaim, with multiple graduate programs recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Graduate Schools rankings.
In the latest release, Stan State’s graduate programs in business administration and public affairs were named among the top 300 programs in the nation. The part-time MBA program was ranked No. 207, and the Master of Public Administration program earned a spot at No. 217 — affirming the University’s commitment to delivering high-quality and accessible graduate education.\
The annual rankings highlight each program's commitment to academic rigor, career-focused curriculum and flexible learning options designed to meet the needs of working professionals and aspiring leaders. They also underscore the impact of Stan State’s graduate programs and the collective efforts of students, faculty and staff in elevating the University's standing on a national scale.
U.S. News & World Report’s ranking methodologies are program-specific:
- Part-Time MBA Programs: Rankings are based on factors including peer assessments from business school deans and MBA program directors, average GMAT scores, undergraduate GPAs of entering students, work experience and the percentage of the business school’s enrollment that is part-time.
- Public Affairs Programs: Rankings are determined by academic quality assessments from deans, directors and department chairs of master’s programs in public affairs and administration.
These methodologies offer prospective graduate students valuable insights into the strengths of each program and help guide their decisions in choosing the right fit for their academic and career goals.
The rankings are the latest in a series of distinctions for Stan State’s academic excellence. Last fall, the University earned Top 10 Best in the West rankings in four categories, including No. 3 in social mobility and No. 5 among top public schools. The University also received national rankings from the Wall Street Journal, placing No. 2 in the nation for social mobility, No. 9 Best Public College and No. 10 Best Value, further demonstrating its continued impact in the region and beyond.
