CBU advances in 2023 U.S News and World Report “Best Colleges” rankings

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Sept. 12, 2022) — California Baptist University received high marks in U.S. News & World Report’s annual 2023 Best Colleges rankings.

In the listings, released Sept. 12, CBU claimed the No. 2 spot for “Most Innovative Schools,” up a spot from last year’s No. 3. The list is curated by college presidents, provosts and admissions deans who are asked to nominate up to 15 peer colleges that are making the most innovative improvements in curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.

CBU also received a No. 28 spot for “Best Regional University” in the West, climbing up from last year’s No. 34 position.

The 2023 rankings mark the ninth consecutive year that CBU has received a top-50 ranking in the publication’s “Best Regional Universities” category for public and private colleges in the West. It is also the 17th year that CBU has appeared in the “Best Colleges” list.

“I am thankful these influential rankings continue to recognize California Baptist University and the continuing advances happening here,” said Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, president of CBU. “College rankings such as these acknowledge the effort and commitment by faculty and staff who work to give our students the best educational experience possible.”

CBU also earned significant placement in several other U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for “Best Undergraduate Teaching”; No. 23 for “Top Performers on Social Mobility” (based on enrolling and graduating students who received federal Pell Grants); No. 24 for “Best Colleges for Veterans”; and No. 30 in the “Best Value Schools” category. 

The “Best Regional Universities” category compares nearly 600 institutions in four regions of the nation that offer a broad scope of undergraduate degrees and master's degrees but few, if any, doctoral programs.

CBU offers seven doctoral programs, 40 graduate programs and more than 100 bachelor’s programs.

U.S. News & World Report publishes the “Best Colleges” rankings each year to aid prospective students and their parents looking for the best academic values for their money. Now in its 38th year, the annual comparative listing uses a system of weighted indicators of academic excellence to rank universities. Those indicators include student selectivity, retention and graduation rates, assessment by peer institutions, faculty resources, financial resources and alumni giving, according to the U.S. News website.