Cal Poly received a five-star rating from Money, a personal finance outlet, in its ‘Best Colleges in America’ list, marking the third consecutive year the university has earned the publication’s top distinction.
The rating system evaluated 732 four-year colleges nationwide, using 25 data points across affordability, graduation rates, student debt and postgraduate earnings. Schools are scored on a scale from two to five stars. 40 institutions, or about 5% of those evaluated, earned a five-star ranking this year.
“The award demonstrates that our graduates are ready day one to enter the working world and solve some of the most complex challenges we face,” Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong wrote in an email to Mustang News.
Cal Poly is one of nine CSU campuses to receive the highest rating, more than any other university system in the country. It is joined by other California institutions like Stanford, Pomona College and numerous University of California campuses.
READ MORE: Cal Poly ranks 57 in Forbes’ best American colleges
Unlike traditional rankings, Money’s system groups schools by overall performance rather than ranking them numerically. The goal is to highlight colleges where students are likely to get the best return on their tuition investment.
Money shifted to a star-based system in 2023, aiming to give students and families a clearer picture of college value.
Money pointed to Cal Poly’s financial support
The personal finance outlet highlighted Cal Poly’s hands-on “Learn by Doing” model, its 9,100-acre campus that includes ranches, beaches and a working farm, and its wide range of majors. The school was also recognized for its strong graduation rate, high employment outcomes, and early career salaries averaging over $90,000.
Cal Poly’s estimated full cost for 2025–26 is $33,540. About 52% of undergraduates receive grants, bringing the average net price down to $17,900. The cost of attendance is as low as $6,480 for low-income students, the outlet reports.
“It’s an important reminder of the many financial aid and support programs in place to ensure every eligible Californian has access to a quality Cal Poly education,” Armstrong wrote.
Money also listed programs like BEACoN, which expand access to research for underrepresented students, and noted the university’s growing focus on diversity and accessibility.