CSULB Ranked No. 5 Nationally in Driving Social Mobility

Published November 20, 2020
By Hector Infante

Cal State Long Beach is ranked the No. 5 university in the country in driving social mobility, according to the latest Social Mobility Index, an annual report that measures the extent of a four-year college or university’s impact in providing opportunities for economically disadvantaged students to graduate into high-paying jobs. 

CSULB climbed two spots from last year’s Social Mobility Index to make the Top 5. The 2020 SMI benchmarked 1,449 four-year schools in its review.

According to the survey, 40.2% of the student population at Cal State Long Beach is considered low-income. The average education debt for CSULB students upon graduation is $15,000, while the national average debt for all public-university graduates is $28,800, according to the College Board. 

Earlier this month, CSULB celebrated the launch of The CSU Center to Close the Opportunity Gap. The Center will focus on identifying and refining proven strategies to eliminate equity gaps at all levels of education. 

CSULB was recognized by EdSource as having the greatest graduation rate gains of all CSU campuses.