3:35pm | Earlier this week, our own California State University of Long Beach (CSULB) was named to the Princeton Review “Best In The West” feature after collecting data, visiting the school and interviewing staff and students.

CSULB was one of 120 institutions named to the Best In The West list. In total, 623 universities are named to four regional lists, a number which includes less than 25-percent of all four-year colleges in the United States.

“The Princeton Review ranking is significant because it takes into account the opinions of those we serve – the students,” said CSULB President F. King Alexander. “Our students believe in the quality education provided at Cal State Long Beach, and they know this will serve them well in their future careers. Additionally, the dedicated work of our faculty and staff once again has been recognized as benefitting our students.”

The ranking comes as CSULB attempts to lift itself out of a crippling financial period for universities in California. Last year, the school – along with others in the CSU system – was forced to scale back enrollment, eliminate courses and institute furlough days to save money. The school only recently announced that applications will be accepted for the Spring 2011 term, a sign that many took as a step toward recovery. Last year, there were no Spring applications accepted.

“We’re pleased to recommend Cal State Long Beach to users of our site as one of the best schools to earn their undergrad degree,” said Robert Franek, Princeton Review’s senior vice president for publishing. “From several hundred schools in each region, we winnowed our list based on institutional data we collected directly from the schools, our visits to schools over the years, and the opinions of our staff, plus college counselors and advisors whose recommendations we invite.”