Three students sitting in front of the East Bay monument

California Mobility Index: ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ on the top for economic mobility

  • BY Kimberly Hawkins
  • February 20, 2025

Going to college takes time and money. The data for Bay Area students looking for the best return on investment is clear: ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ provides the best value among the state’s higher education institutions. 


The California Mobility Index ranks ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ among the top 15 institutions delivering on the promise of economic mobility for low-and moderate-income learners throughout the state. It is the only school in the Bay Area to make the cut. 


“As someone who was born and raised in the East Bay, I know that from its founding, ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ has been a haven of opportunity for local residents seeking to earn degrees leading to professional careers,” said ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ President Cathy Sandeen. “We fostered social and economic mobility long before it was a higher-ed buzzword. Recognition through this new College Futures Foundation and HEI Group ranking acknowledges our role in our region and reinforces our commitment to this long-standing core mission.”


and the prioritize economic mobility as a cornerstone of their missions and recognize that postsecondary education provides a critical pathway to a better life for underserved learners across California. The inaugural CMI includes 82 four-year institutions and describes the extent to which institutions drive upward mobility among low- and moderate-income students. 


Out of the top 15 CMI-ranked institutions, 13 are part of the CSU system. Of the 82 four-year institutions assessed in the CMI, 45 are designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions, including ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥.