Fresno State scored third highest among public national universities for the second consecutive year and was No. 5 overall this year.

The graduation-rate performance category uses the University’s actual performance as compared to predicted performance based on student demographics, including spending per student, admissions selectivity and the proportion of undergraduates receiving Pell grants.

Also, Fresno State was again ranked No. 2 in the category “Least Percent of Grads with Debt” among public national universities and No. 7 among all national universities, improving from the No. 8 spot last year. Forty-seven percent of students graduating in 2019 will have an average debt of $18,308 compared to the national average student debt of $28,245.

Fresno State also moved up 18 positions in U.S. News and World Report’s overall rankings, coming in at No. 205 this year compared to 223 last year. Fresno State is No. 112 among public schools, compared to No. 129 last year.

“By providing our students with a quality and affordable education, Fresno State is preparing a new generation of bold leaders who will guide the region to new heights of success.,” said President Joseph I. Castro.

Among the 23 campuses in the California State University system, Fresno State is one of four to compete at the national level in the U.S. News rankings, including San Diego State University, CSU Fullerton and San Francisco State. Of the four CSU’s included in the rankings, only San Diego State University was ranked higher than Fresno State, at No. 127.

U.S. News and World Report evaluates campuses on multiple factors for its overall national ranking. The magazine gives the most weight to graduation and retention rates and undergraduate academic reputation, followed by faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, graduation-rate performance and alumni giving.

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