CSUMB earns four high college rankings from Washington Monthly

By Walter Ryce

Cal State Monterey Bay has earned more college rankings distinctions, this one from Washington Monthly, which has been publishing its College Guide and Rankings for over 20 years. 

CSUMB landed No. 9 for 2025 Best Master’s Universities, among 585 nationwide institutions that award “a significant number of master’s degrees, but few or no doctoral degrees.” 

According to the Washington Monthly website, they determine that ranking based on a college’s “contribution to the public good in four broad categories: access, affordability, outcomes, and promoting public service.”

CSUMB scored higher in that category than Cal Poly Pomona, all but one of New York’s CUNY colleges, and University of Washington. 

Using the same measures as the Master's ranking criteria, CSUMB also captured No. 48 for Best All Schools, among 1,421 that were ranked — one higher than Georgetown University, seven higher than Claremont McKenna, and 89 places above UC Santa Cruz.  

CSUMB also placed No. 33 for Best Bang for the Buck among Western colleges, and No. 38 for Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges. 

The university has enjoyed a streak of favorable rankings, including those from the Wall Street Journal and U.S. News & World Report.