麻豆传媒映画 named a top value in Money鈥檚 2025 Best Colleges guide
High graduation rates and low student debt highlight 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 return on investment

麻豆传媒映画 earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in ratings, recognized for its strong graduation rates and return on investment. The digital financial-advice outlet highlighted 麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 graduation rate as 11% higher than expected, based on the demographics of its student body.
Money鈥檚 latest list, , evaluates 732 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges based on affordability, financial aid, graduation outcomes and alumni earnings.
As part of its push to improve access and affordability, 麻豆传媒映画 reported last year that it had distributed nearly all available scholarship funds to students, a first in its 128-year history. That momentum continued in 2024鈥25, with a record 99.96% scholarship utilization rate under Director of Scholarships Kari Hooker and her team.
The university also reports that during the 2024-25 academic year, 54% of full time undergraduate students received need-based grant aid, and 71% of graduating undergraduates did not borrow loans, said Chip Pierce, director of the 麻豆传媒映画 Financial Aid Office.
鈥淎lmost all students receive some form of grant or scholarship to bring down the sticker price,鈥 Money noted.
麻豆传媒映画鈥檚 four-year graduation rate reached a record high for the fall 2020 cohort, nearly 61% in San Diego and just over 61% at 麻豆传媒映画 Imperial Valley. For the fall 2018 cohort, the six-year graduation rate was 76.4% in San Diego.
鈥淭he tremendous scale at which we are graduating and serving students across the CSU is truly impactful, and indeed unmatched among four-year higher education systems," said CSU Chancellor Mildred Garc铆a. 鈥淥ur students are juggling work, family responsibilities and their studies 鈥 demonstrating extraordinary determination and resolve.鈥
All 22 campuses across the California State University system made the list earning four stars or better, with nationwide.
In a separate feature about the CSU鈥檚 dominance in the ratings, Money noted the system鈥檚 national reach: one in every 20 Americans with a college degree is a CSU graduate.
鈥淲e are committed not only to expanding access to quality higher education, but also to ensuring career outcomes that empower and enrich our graduates long after they leave campus,鈥 said Garc铆a. 鈥淭his ranking further establishes the CSU's standing as a national model for delivering an accessible, high-quality education that uplifts individuals, families and entire communities.鈥
Money transitioned from traditional rankings to a star-based rating system in 2022 to help families focus less on prestige and more on real value. The newer model emphasizes educational quality, affordability and student outcomes, showing that a wide range of schools, not just the most elite, offer a strong return on investment.