San Diego State University

Founded in 1897 with just 91 students, San Diego State University has grown into a major research institution with around 30,000 undergrads and about 4,300 grad students. The sunny, Spanish-style campus hosts a student body notable for its diversity, both ethnically and academically. Its students represent more than 100 countries and 60 languages around the world. SDSU has more than 300 student organizations and offers about 160 undergraduate majors and programs, ranging from gerontology, to music to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies. The university’s graduation rate is about 10% higher than expected based on the makeup of its student body, according to Money’s calculations. On campus, Greek organizations play a sizable role in the social scene, with 46 recognized fraternities and sororities, many of which are located on a fraternity row that runs along the center of campus. San Diego, the state’s second-largest city and a major hub for business and technology, is just a trolley ride away. Then, too, there's the enviable weather, which the university characterizes as "a beautiful Mediterranean climate," with little rain and daytime temperatures that usually fall between 60 degrees and 80 degrees. "In other words," SDSU boasts on its website, "it's always flip-flop weather!"