At Cal State LA, transforming lives is not a tagline-it is a measurable outcome.Once again, the University has been recognized as a leader in creating pathways to success for students who dream big, work hard, and rise together.
In the inaugural California Mobility Index (CMI) rankings, Cal State LA was named No. 1 in the state for upward mobility— affirming the University’s place at the forefront of educational equity. The CMI, developed by the College Futures Foundation and the research agency HEA Group, ranks 82 four-year institutions across California based on how well they serve low- and moderate-income students and help them achieve meaningful economic success.
That recognition builds on national rankings from Opportunity Insights at Harvard University, which has also placed Cal State LA at No. 1 in the nation for upward mobility.
“Cal State LA does not achieve these top rankings by accident,” said President Berenecea Johnson Eanes. “Our faculty and staff understand the unique needs of our students, and we communicate clearly to them—and their families—the information they need to navigate the complexities of higher education. Upon graduation, they are well-equipped to excel.”
Photo: Cal State LA students earn an average of $59,000 a year within a decade of enrollment, compared to $32,000 for high school graduates, according to the California Mobility Index.
Indeed, Cal State LA’s commitment to empowering dreams and breaking down barriers is deeply woven into the fabric of its student support systems. A few key efforts include:
- Increasing access with multilingual outreach, on-site admissions events, and robust financial aid support
- Responding to students’ real-life needs with emergency housing grants, food security services, and initiatives like the Golden Eagle LA Fires Recovery Fund
- Driving success through equity with proactive advising, inclusive teaching, and programs like Transfer Success Pathways, Early Start, and First-Year Connections
Indeed, Cal State LA’s commitment to empowering dreams and breaking down barriers is deeply woven into the
As President Eanes put it: “A Cal State LA student will never lack for support.”
That support is paying off. According to the CMI, Cal State LA students earn an average of $59,000 a year within a decade of enrollment—compared to $32,000 for high school graduates. The average net cost of a Cal State LA degree? Just over $18,000—an investment that pays for itself in less than a year.
What’s more, 66% of Cal State LA students are Pell Grant recipients—a testament to the University’s deep commitment to serving students from all backgrounds and providing an affordable, high-impact education.
Photo: The average net cost of a Cal State LA degree is just over $18,000, an investment that pays for itself in less than a year.
A Nationally Recognized Model for Access and Excellence
Cal State LA’s upward mobility mission has also earned it praise across a range of national rankings:
- Washington Monthly:
- No. 1 in the West for “Best Bang for the Buck”
- No. 1 four-year institution for “Best Hispanic-Serving Colleges”
- Money.com:
- Awarded a Five-Star Rating, one of only 40 institutions nationwide to receive the highest designation
- Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education:
- Recognized as an Opportunity College and University, highlighting Cal State LA as a place where students from socio-economically and racially diverse backgrounds thrive
- U.S. News & World Report:
- The Patricia A. Chin School of Nursing ranks top 5 in California and No. 30 nationally
- Best Value Schools:
- No. 1 Accounting Program in California
- No. 1 MBA Program in Southern California
- Newsweek:
- No. 8 among America’s Top Online Learning Schools for 2025
- Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching:
- Designated Research 2, recognizing universities with high levels of research spending and doctorate production
From the classroom to the boardroom, from first-generation college students to industry leaders, Cal State LA continues to be a powerful engine of transformation and possibility.
And as the University moves forward under the leadership of President Berenecean Johnson Eanes, one truth remains clear: We Are LA—and we are just getting started.