Chico State Shines in 2023 Washington Monthly Rankings

With the fall 2023 semester underway at Chico State, the University has once again ranked among the elite colleges and universities both statewide and nationally in Washington Monthly’s 2023 College Guide and Rankings.

In the publication’s “2023 Master’s University Rankings,” Chico State was recognized at No. 6—within the top 1 percent of the more-than 600 institutions listed and matching last year’s ranking.

Sharon Barrios, dean of the Office of Graduate Studies at Chico State, said a ranking like this enhances the credibility to the assertion that the University transforms lives—and reflects her own experience as a proud Chico State alumnus.

“Speaking from my own background as a low-income, first-generation college student who graduated from Chico State, this university unlocked my dream of social mobility, economic stability and lifelong opportunity,” said Barrios (Political Science, ’91; MA, Political Science, ’93). “And it has clearly done the same for countless of our other graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds.”

The California State University (CSU) system occupied more than half of the top 10 spots in these rankings: Cal State LA at No. 2; CSUN at No. 3; Sacramento State at No. 5; Stanislaus State at No. 9; and CSU Dominguez Hills at No. 10.

In addition to the Master’s University rankings, Chico State was honored at No. 17 in Washington Monthly’s “2023 Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: West” list.

Kentiner David, director of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at Chico State, said that the University continues to provide a great investment in higher education with numerous on-campus resources and a familial feel on and around campus.

“Chico State is committed to removing barriers and providing access to a great education and its small-town feel,” said David (Economics, International Relations, ’95; MA, Political Science, ’01). “The close-knit community supports and provides an unparalleled college experience for our students and their families.”

The CSU, well-known for its affordable education, took 13 of the top 20 slots in these rankings. Following top-ranked Cal State LA are Stanislaus State (No. 2); CSUN (No. 4); CSU Dominguez Hills (No. 5); Cal Maritime (No. 6); Sacramento State (No. 8); CSU Bakersfield (No. 10); Cal State San Bernardino (No. 12); Fresno State (No. 13); Cal Poly Pomona (No. 14); Cal State Long Beach (No. 15); and Cal State Fullerton (No. 19).

Chico State has racked up a slew of state, regional and national rankings over the last year for its academic excellence. Earlier this month, Money magazine gave the University 4 1/2 stars out of a possible 5 in its “Best Colleges in America 2023” rankings. Chico State was honored at No. 1 in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainable Campus Index. And US News & World Report recognized the University in the top 25 three times in its 2022–23 Best College Rankings: Social Mobility, Best Colleges for Veterans and Top Public Schools.