Cal Poly Named Best in the West for 24th Consecutive Year

For the 24th consecutive year, Cal Poly has been named the best, master's-level university in the West
by U.S. News & World Report. 

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly is once again the best public, master’s-level university in the West — the 24th straight year the university has earned the distinction in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual America’s Best Colleges guidebook.

The 2017 guidebook lists Cal Poly in a tie with Saint Mary’s College for ninth place overall in the West for regional universities (up from from 10th place last year) and above all other public universities in the region. The Western regional list includes 124 public and private institutions in 15 states that provide “a full range of undergraduate and master’s-level programs but few, if any, doctoral programs.” (Universities that grant doctoral degrees, such as those in the University of California system, are listed in a separate category.)

Cal Poly ranks in the Top 10 behind (in order): Trinity University, Santa Clarita University, Loyola Marymount University, Gonzaga University, Mills College, Chapman University, University of Portland, and Seattle University.

“Our continued inclusion in the prestigious U.S. News rankings is a testament to the Cal Poly community’s unwavering passion for providing the best possible Learn by Doing experience for all of our students,” said Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong. “Only through our faculty’s innovation and dedication to Learn by Doing; our staff members’ commitment to daily excellence; and our alumni, industry and friends’ support are we able to help our students become the industry and community leaders of tomorrow.

“We are thankful to those who recognize the excellence of our programs and our graduates and to everyone who endeavors to make Cal Poly better every day.”

Cal Poly’s College of Engineering moves up two spots to No. 5 on the list of best master's/bachelor's program in the nation. Among specialty programs, the college’s environmental engineering program is lauded as the best master’s/bachelor’s program in the nation, the civil engineering program ranks third, electrical engineering is tied for fourth, and mechanical engineering is ranked fifth.

As well, The Orfalea College of Business appears for the second straight year on the magazine’s list of best undergraduate business programs.

Cal Poly also ranks sixth in the West (up from 10th last year) for most veteran-friendly universities — a listing that shows military vets and active-duty service members which top-ranked schools offer benefits that can help them make pursuing a college education more affordable. Cal Poly is also the top-ranked public university in this category.

The U.S. News rankings are available at the U.S. News & World Report website.