CSUSM Moves Up in U.S. News Rankings
By Moyosore Ayo-Ogunyemi
Cal State San Marcos improved its position in multiple categories in the closely watched U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings, which were released Sept. 22.
CSUSM was ranked No. 20 overall in “Regional Universities (West),” a three-spot improvement over its position last year. The university is also No. 11 in “Top Public Schools - Regional Universities (West),” two spots higher than last year.
Other improvements came in the categories of “Best Value Schools - Regional Universities (West)” (up 13 spots to No. 27) and “Top Performers in Social Mobility - Regional Universities (West)” (up eight spots to No. 8).
In a category that’s new to the rankings this year, CSUSM placed No. 6 in “Best Value Schools for In-State Students - Regional Universities (West).”
In other category rankings, CSUSM was:
- tied for No. 82 in “Undergraduate Engineering Programs (No Doctorate)”
- tied for No. 195 in “Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs (No Doctorate)”
- tied for No. 255 in “Undergraduate Psychology Programs”
- tied for No. 276 in “Undergraduate Computer Science Programs”
- tied for No. 390 in “Undergraduate Business Programs”
CSUSM ranks 64th in the nation out of more than 1,500 colleges in Washington Monthly’s “2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars,” up from a No. 73 ranking last year.
And last month, CSUSM placed 31st in the country in SmartAsset’s 2026 study of America’s Best Value Public Universities.
Media Contact
Eric Breier, assistant director of editorial and external affairs
ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314