California State University, San Bernardino is one of the nation’s top universities when it comes to social mobility for its students, according to U.S. News & World Report, which placed CSUSB at No. 4 in its annual Best Colleges rankings. Last year, the publication placed CSUSB at No. 13 in the nation.

“Being named among the nation’s top 5 institutions when it comes to social mobility is a testament to the hard work of our students, faculty and staff,” said CSUSB President Tomás D. Morales. “This shows how CSUSB is able to help its students breakdown barriers, prepares them to prosper once they graduate and advance into great paying jobs – helping them not only to define their own futures, but those of their families and even in their communities.”

Social mobility measures how well schools graduated students who received federal Pell Grants – typically from households earning less than $50,000 annually. U.S. News published a distinct social mobility ranking for all ranked schools.

U.S. News’ ranking was computed by aggregating the two ranking factors assessing graduation rates of Pell-awarded students. Economically disadvantaged students are less likely than others to finish college, even when controlling for other characteristics. But some colleges are more successful than others at advancing social mobility by enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.

In addition to the top ranking in social mobility, U.S. News ranked CSUSB at No. 27 – up from No. 31 last year – in its national Best Value Schools category. These are schools that are above average academically and cost considerably less than many other schools when the financial aid that they dispense in the form of need-based grants and scholarships is taken into account. Data sources used in the Best Value Schools rankings are described in the main methodology. U.S. News relies on schools to accurately report their data.

The university also moved up in the National Universities category, placing at No. 90, up from No. 100 a year ago.

U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings are considered one of the most influential and anticipated recognitions for colleges and universities that provide a full range of undergraduate and master’s degree programs throughout the United States.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings are determined on a number of factors that include: Graduation and retention rates; social mobility; graduation rate performance; undergraduate academic reputation; faculty resources for the 2021-22 academic year; student selectivity for the fall 2022 entering class; financial resources for students; the average alumni giving rate; and graduate indebtedness.

Along with being posted online, the U.S. News & World Report rankings will be listed in the 2024 Best Colleges guidebook, which will be released in October.