Stanislaus State is no stranger to accolades, and this week three of the university’s undergraduate majors were named among the best in the nation.

The national recognition comes as part of the online platform Study.com’s Top 25 Best Bachelor’s Degrees list released this month, which names Stan State’s sociology, social science and anthropology programs as part of the top degrees in the nation when it comes to their respective fields. 

Stan State’s sociology program ranked No. 12 on Study.com’s list of top 25 sociology programs in the country, while social science earned a No. 20 ranking compared to other similar programs and anthropology was ranked No. 23.

According to the list, Stan State boasts an 89% acceptance rate, 59% graduation rate and 90% of students receive financial aid for the $7,542 tuition. The high rankings are also thanks in part to the university’s acceptance of AP credits from high school, as well as available placement services and career services on campus. 

With standout professors and initiatives pertaining to each department, it’s no secret that these three programs thrive at Stan State. Last month, sociology professor Ann Strahm was honored for her outstanding service in faculty governance after concluding six years as a Stan State representative to the Academic Senate of the California State University, serving as chair-elect of the University Educational Policies Committee and as vice president of the Stanislaus chapter of the California Faculty Association, all while serving as chair of the Department of Sociology and Gerontology.

Over in the anthropology department, associate professor of visual anthropology Steve Arounsack recently shared his cultural expertise with Walt Disney Animation Studios for their film “Raya and the Last Dragon” over the course of two years, lending his knowledge of Southeast Asian culture so that the movie could accurately represent the region’s identity. 

And in the area of social science, Stan State has taken a stand in recent years when it comes to social issues like race, equality, diversity and inclusion, from installing a Peace Pole on campus to starting a program to recruit more young black men to enroll in college. 

Study.com considered hundreds of universities across the nation and selected its top choices based on academic and career resources, quality of educational offerings, faculty and other criteria. Founded in 2002, its mission is to assist in making higher education more affordable, effective and engaging. More than 40 million visitors per month use the online platform to research potential schools, degrees and careers.

The rankings come on the heels of other accolades for the university received earlier this year, like recognition for offering students more bang for their buck when it comes to receiving a high-quality and affordable education, according to an April report by the CSU Office of the Chancellor which highlighted the university’s economic impact on the San Joaquin Valley. According to the report, every dollar the state invests in the University produces a return of $7.41 in positive economic activity.

The report also shed light on the value of Stan State degrees to alumni, their families and the regional economy. In 2019, Stan State alumni who remained in the San Joaquin Valley earned an additional $1.2 billion in earnings attributable to their degree, and alumni who remained in the state earned an additional $1.45 billion.