Despite a challenging year marked by budget deficits and leadership changes, Sonoma State University has edged up in the 2026 U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges rankings.
The Press Democrat reports SSU is now tied for 13th place among Top Public Schools in the Regional Universities West category, moving up from 14th last year. Overall, the university tied for 23rd in the full Regional Universities West list, which covers states west of Texas and up to Alaska and Hawaii.
The good news follows a $90 million infusion of one-time state funding earlier this year to help address the university’s ongoing budget crisis.
