SDSU Soars in U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges Rankings

San Diego State University gets its highest position ever as a public university, No. 51, in the latest annual rankings of the nation’s best colleges from U.S. News & World Report, which introduced a revised methodology giving greater weight to first-generation graduation rates and faculty research.

Released Monday, the ranking moved SDSU up from No. 72 last year. In the broader field of all national universities, which includes private schools, SDSU is ranked No. 105, up from No. 151 in 2022.

SDSU made its biggest jump in the category of social mobility at No. 38, up 61 spots from 2022. Social mobility looks at the success schools have in graduating students from low-income households, and a factor also given greater weight in U.S. News & World Report 2024 Best Colleges’ set of rankings.

“SDSU has long been distinct in its commitment to local access and social mobility, while also leading on the national stage in terms of research impact and student success. What this creates is a unique environment where our faculty and students work together to create tangibly better futures, for themselves and for our community," said SDSU president Adela de la Torre. “It is encouraging to see a shift toward criteria that place greater emphasis on values important to us, and to our students, parents and families.” 

U.S. News said it revised its “Best Colleges” rankings methodology “to place greater focus on outcomes measures.” The new approach introduced ranking factors on first-generation student graduation rates and faculty research — two SDSU strengths — and removed several other considerations including alumni giving, class size, and high school class standing.

SDSU's national profile and placement in rankings continue to surge amid a year of achievements across the campus. In the last 12 months, the university increased its research grant and contract dollars by more than 40% over the past five years, setting a record. Last October, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing California State University (CSU) campuses, including SDSU, to offer independent Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programs. 

Among the many firsts for SDSU last year, the 126-year-old campus also saw its first-ever Truman Scholar.

In other rankings categories, the university climbed to No. 69 nationally in “best colleges for veterans,” based on enrollment of and benefits for veterans and active-duty service members. The Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center, housed in Student Services West, offers academic advising, GI Bill assistance to career development, and additional support for an estimated 5,000 military-connected students.

Last month, SDSU was ranked 16th on Forbes’ 2023 rankings of the Top 25 Public Colleges and No. 43 in the magazine’s annual list of top 500 colleges, up 20 spots from last year.

In other highlights of the U.S. News publication, SDSU is:

• No. 17 for international business, a joint program of the Fowler College of Business and the College of Arts and Letters.
• No. 27 for the entrepreneurship specialty program in the business college
• No. 67 in psychology
• No. 84 for the undergraduate business program
• No. 86 in nursing
• No. 90 in engineering