Fresno State received a 5-star rating, the highest possible, on Money’s 2026 Best Colleges list published on June 23.
Money’s annual list showcases the top value colleges and universities based on graduation rates, cost, financial aid, student debt, alumni salaries and more. The ratings highlight schools where students are likely to graduate, keep debt manageable and go on to earn solid wages.
A total of 735 schools were rated this year. Forty-two colleges and universities received a 5-star rating, including five other California State University campuses.
Fresno State narrowly missed the 5-star mark last year with a 4.5-star rating. This year, the university’s four-year graduation rate improved to 47% from 39% and its six-year graduation rate, including transfer students, also increased to 68% from 66%. These factors drove up the value-added graduation rate and Pell Grant graduation index which are heavily weighted factors in Money’s analysis. In addition, Money slightly increased the weight of net price by income, and student and parent borrowing measures, areas that the university scores well on.
Fresno State also appeared on Money’s Best Colleges in the West and Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates sublists.
