Awards
& Recognition

Always Aiming Higher

Stanbridge® has devoted itself to excellence in everything we do. Beyond unrelenting growth academically, we seek out new ways to learn from, contribute to, and connect with the community around us. The result is a growing list of awards our students can be forever proud of.

  • 2025

    2025 Carnegie Classification - Opportunity College1

    By the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

    Stanbridge University is recognized in the 2025 Carnegie Classifications as an Opportunity College, a distinction awarded to institutions that advance under-represented student access, strong career outcomes, and exceptional graduate earnings. Of the 2,994 classified colleges and universities nationwide, only 479 received this prestigious designation. This recognition underscores the university’s commitment to expanding equitable access and strong career outcomes.

  • 2025

    Nationally Ranked in the Top 5% of Colleges for 10-Year ROI2

    By Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce

    Stanbridge University has been ranked among the top 5% of 4,600 colleges nationwide for 10-year return on investment (ROI) in the Ranking Colleges by ROI (2025) report by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce, based on a comprehensive analysis of earnings data, tuition costs, and opportunity costs.

  • 2024-2025

    Orange County Campus

    ACCSC School of Excellence Award3

    By the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC)

    Stanbridge University's Orange County campus has been recognized as a 2024–2025 School of Excellence by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). This national honor is awarded to institutions that meet rigorous accreditation standards and demonstrate exceptional graduation and employment outcomes across all programs.

  • 2019-2025

    Investors in People Accredited4

    by Investors in People

    Investors in People is a standard for people management, offering accreditation to organizations that adhere to the Investors in People Standard. The current framework reflects the latest workplace trends, leading practices and employee conditions required to create outperforming teams. Stanbridge University has been granted 3 year accreditation by Investors in People.

  • 2019-2026

    Great Place to Work Certified5

    by Great Place to Work

    Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue and increased innovation. They help companies around the world survey their employees, benchmark their results, identify gaps and improve their workplace culture. Great Place to Work is the only national recognition program based on a rigorous methodology and validated employee feedback. Stanbridge University has been granted certification by Great Place to Work from October 2019 - February 2026.

  • 2024

    Best Healthcare Degree Programs in America Award6

    By Research.com

    Stanbridge University has been recognized by Research.com with the 2024 Best Healthcare Degree Programs in America Award. The ranking is based on data from sources like IPEDS and College ScoreCard, evaluating program quality, affordability, popularity, and completion time, highlighting Stanbridge’s commitment to excellence in healthcare education.

  • 2024

    Orange County Campus

    #9 Best Small Colleges in California7

    by Niche.com

    Stanbridge University’s Orange County campus is ranked #9 among the Best Small Colleges in California by Niche.com. This distinction is based on a detailed analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, complemented by reviews from students and alumni.

  • 2024

    Orange County Campus

    #2 Safest College Campuses in California8

    by Niche.com

    Stanbridge University’s Orange County campus is ranked 2 in the 2024 Safest Colleges in California by Niche.com. The ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Top-ranked colleges offer a safe and healthy environment for little or no campus crime, drugs, or alcohol usage. 

  • 2019-2024

    Orange County Campus

    #1 Best California LVN Programs9

    by Nursingprocess.org

    Stanbridge University's Vocational Nursing program at the Orange County campus has been ranked first in California by Nursingprocess.org. Nursingprocess.org ranked the 20 best LVN programs in California based on NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates, academic quality and affordability, and published reviews.

  • 2024

    Orange County Campus

    #3 Nursing College in California10

    by Niche.com

    Stanbridge University’s undergraduate nursing programs at the Orange County campus have earned a #3 ranking from Niche.com. This recognition in the Best Colleges for Nursing list reflects a comprehensive evaluation of academic quality, admissions standards, financial metrics, and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, alongside reviews from current students and alumni.

  • 2023-2024

    Top 5 Most Popular Colleges in the West11

    by Research.com

    Stanbridge University has been ranked in the Top 5 Most Popular Colleges in the West by Research.com. The Most Popular College ranking is based on the number of applicants per place and highlights the reciprocal relationship between popularity and acceptance rates across private and public sectors. This recognition underscores that the most popular colleges in the USA possess diverse characteristics in terms of costs, acceptance rates, and student body compositions. These institutions prioritize academic rigor, offer various degree programs, and have a strong commitment to financial aid and support, making higher education accessible at different levels.

  • 2022

    Orange County Campus

    #3 Occupational Therapy School in California12

    by Bestvalueschools.org

    Stanbridge University's Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at the Orange County campus is ranked 3rd in the top 10 Best Occupational Therapy Schools ranking by Bestvalueschools.org. The ranking is based on graduation rates and program cost.

  • 2022

    Orange County Campus

    #10 Best Nursing Schools in California13

    by registerednursing.org

    Stanbridge University’s nursing programs at the Orange County campus are ranked #10 by Registerednursing.org. The ranking analyzes current and historical NCLEX-RN "pass rates", meaning the percentage of graduates who pass the exam, out of the 129 RN programs in the state. Programs reviewed include schools that offer an Associate in Nursing (ADN/ASN), BSN, or Direct-Entry MSN Degree.

  • 2022

    Top 10 Most Diverse Colleges With More Than 750 Students14

    by Universities.com

    Stanbridge University is ranked 10th in the 2022 Most Diverse Colleges With More Than 750 Students by Universities.com. The ranking is based on variation in graduation between races, diversity of students, percent of instructional staff who are women, and other key metrics.

  • 2022

    Gold Award for Excellence in Community Service15

    by the California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools (CAPPS)

    Stanbridge University was recognized with 2022 Gold Award for Excellence in Community Service by CAPPS for demonstrating exceptional commitment to the local community. Stanbridge University continues its commitment to creating an educational experience not only in the classroom but also through a platform for students and staff to serve the community and make a positive impact.

  • 2021

    The Award for Social Responsibility16

    by Investors in People

    Stanbridge University received The Award for Social Responsibility Award by Investors in People based in London, in the United Kingdom. This international award, given out to an institution each year from around the globe, highlights Stanbridge University’s continued commitment to serving the most vulnerable among us.