Fresno State ranks among the best schools in the United States in terms of tuition and tax dollar value, according to a new study published by Washington Monthly in Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C.,-based publication recently ranked schools based on “their contribution to the public good.” That includes access to non-wealthy students, affordability and the academic and financial outcomes provided to students.
The top 20 list includes Ivy League institutions Harvard University, Princeton University and Yale University as well as lower-profile schools.
Here’s where Fresno State ranked — and why:
How does Fresno State rank for tuition, tax dollar value?
Fresno State ranked 11th on Washington Monthly’s list of the 2026 Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, trailing California State University, Los Angeles, and California State University, Long Beach.
The Central Valley university ranked fourth among the top universities in the West.
“This recognition reflects our commitment to transforming lives through accessible, high-quality education and meaningful public service,” Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said in a press release.
“Our students graduate prepared to advance their families, strengthen our economy and create lasting impact throughout the Valley, the region and beyond.
Despite its impressive showing in 2026, Fresno State dropped several places in Washington Monthly’s ranking compared to the previous year.
In 2025, Fresno State came in second place on Washington Monthly’s list of the top colleges for tuition and tax dollar value, The Fresno Bee previously reported.
Is Fresno State accessible for low-income students? Affordable?
When it came to providing access to low- and moderate-income students, Fresno State ranked No. 22 nationally, the Washington Monthly study found.
The university ranked No. 48 in the nation in terms of affordability.
According to the study, students with family incomes below $75,000 pay a net price of $5,531 to attend Fresno State, minus aid.
About 70% of Fresno State students graduate in eight years, Washington Monthly said, leaving school with $14,505 worth of debt on average.
Fresno State reportedly awards more than $250 million in financial aid and scholarships to about 80% of its students.
In August, Fresno State opened its first major housing project in 50 years, adding 228 beds to its housing inventory. The affordable student housing project includes apartments for students with children.
How much do Fresno State graduates earn?
According to the Washington Monthly report, Fresno State graduates earned an average annual income of $59,920 four years after graduation.
In comparison, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earned $161,961 a year on average after leaving school.
Washington Monthly also evaluated how well colleges promote public service and encourage voter participation.
Fresno State ranked relatively low in the service category, landing at No. 286 nationwide.
Fresno State students, faculty and staff completed more than 1.39 million hours of service to the community during the 2025-26 academic year, resulting in a total economic impact of $54.9 million, according to an Aug. 7 report.
What are the top 10 colleges for tuition, tax dollar value?
According to the Washington Monthly story, these were the top 10 universities in terms of tuition and tax dollar value:
Berea College in KentuckyDuke University in North CarolinaCalifornia State University, NorthridgeUniversity of Texas, Rio Grande ValleyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyHarvard UniversityPrinceton UniversityUniversity of ChicagoCalifornia State University, Los AngelesCalifornia State University, Long BeachHow did Washington Monthly rank best universities?
To determine the best colleges in the United States for tuition and tax dollar value, Washington Monthly said it analyzed a “final sample” of 1,504 colleges — including public, private nonprofit, and for-profit colleges — based on four key categories.
Those categories were:
AccessAffordabilityOutcomesCommunity and national service
Focusing on these areas allowed Washington Monthly to “focus even more squarely on what Americans most want from our colleges and universities: that they help students of modest means earn degrees that pay off in the marketplace, don’t saddle them with heavy debt, and prepare — indeed, encourage — them to become active members of our democracy,” the publication said in 2025.