SJSU Graduate Programs Shine in Inaugural Money Magazine Graduate Rankings

The value of San José State University’s Public Health and Nursing graduate programs shined in the debut of Money magazine’s 2023 Best Graduate School Program rankings. 

In these new rankings, Money used a five-star ranking scale, focusing on annual costs, typical debt burdens, employment rates and recent graduate salaries. SJSU’s Public Health master’s program was only one of two universities in the country, and the only in California, to receive a five star ranking. 

The university’s Nursing master’s program earned four stars. Both programs are housed in the SJSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS).

“These top 2024 Money Magazine Best Graduate School rankings are a great validation of what our faculty, staff, and alumni already know — our outstanding faculty and staff are deeply committed to the SJSU CHHS mission of health equity, and the metrics for these top rankings point to our commitment to elevate the social well-being and economic mobility of our diverse graduates,” said Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences Audrey Shillington. “Our faculty are outstanding educators who include students in hands-on experiential learning in their research, classrooms and community. Graduates leave with excellent jobs and salaries, going into high demand positions to address the health needs of people and their communities.” 

This caps another great year for SJSU in Money magazine rankings. In June, the university ranked 4.5 out of five stars in the 2023 Best Colleges rankings. SJSU also appeared on Money’s rankings for Best Public Colleges, Best Colleges in the West and Best Colleges with High Acceptance Rates. The university also remains Money magazine’s #1 Most Transformative University, an honor SJSU first received in 2020.

Additional national rankings featuring SJSU

Recent releases of rankings by Intelligent.com, 24/7 Wall Street, Research.com and Scholarships360 also included high marks for SJSU.

SJSU’s Public Health graduate program was among six university programs included in Intelligent.com’s recent 2024 rankings. The university’s online Public Health master’s program ranks #7 in the nation, with SJSU also being ranked in the following areas:

• #12 – Best Public Colleges in California
• #13 – Best Online Master’s in Music Education Degree
• #14 – Best Online Master’s in Criminology Degree Programs
• #14 – Best Interior Design Degree Programs
• #26 – Best Online Master’s in Library Science Degree Programs

Intelligent.com’s rankings are based on quantitative measures such as academic quality, graduation rate, cost and ROI, and student resources.

24/7 Wall Street ranked SJSU #17 in the country, and #4 in California, for upward mobility — defined as improving the financial standing of the students. 

Research.com ranked SJSU the #2 best value college in California and #17 in the nation.

Scholarships360 included SJSU as a Top College and Top College for Affordability on their 2023-2024 Top Colleges list. Out of over 1,800 colleges and universities considered by Scholarships360, only the top 4% were selected for both lists. 

“With a commitment to post-graduation success and a focus on affordability, San José State stood out among universities in the entire country. Our methodology is outcomes-focused and SJSU ranked highly in factors related to affordability, student debt, graduation rate, and future earnings,” said Scholarships360.org co-founder and CEO Will Geiger. “In addition, San José State has a clear institutional commitment to supporting students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. With their location in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU provides important opportunities for those looking to break into the lucrative tech field and beyond.”