University moves up the ranks among nation’s universities

Fresno State ranked No. 4 in the nation among master’s degree-granting universities and first in the California State University system according to the Washington Monthly, a political magazine based in Washington, D.C. The magazine’s 2015 College Guide, which was released earlier this month, also ranked Fresno State No. 19 on its “Best Bang for the Buck” list of universities in the western United States.

Washington Monthly developed its annual college and university rankings based on multiple factors including how well schools perform as an engine of social mobility for students, research and public service.

The 2015 Master’s Universities Rankings compare 673 public and for-profit schools. Over the past five years Fresno State has consistently ranked in the top 30, coming in as high as No. 9 in 2011, but this is the first time it has placed in the top five. Fresno State offers 38 master programs, including several online options and three doctoral programs.

Institutions ranked on the “Best Bang for the Buck” list were compared based on net price, graduation rate, performance and whether students are able to pay off their loans. The list presents the rankings for 100 universities located in 13 states in the western region of the country.

Current Fresno State undergraduate tuition and fees total $3,157.50 per semester. The University also has one of the lowest rates for student fees in the California State University system at $419.50, compared to the average campus fee of $1,287.

The College Guide also ranks Fresno State 17th overall for community service participation and hours served. Last year Fresno State students, faculty and staff volunteered a record 1.3 million hours of service. It was the sixth consecutive year the University has contributed more than 1 million hours of service.