Link: UCOP's e-newsletter

Stay Informed. Stay Connected.

UC claims top spots in new US News and World Report rankings

The UC system boasts five of the nation’s top 10 public universities, according to the U.S. News and World Report’s 2018 rankings released on Sept. 12.

The list of best American colleges and universities is published by the magazine each fall. Its primary focuses are academic reputation, financial resources and selectivity in undergraduate admissions.

UC Berkeley and UCLA shared the honor of top public university in the country, with UC Santa Barbara at No. 8 and UC Irvine and UC San Diego tied for No. 9. UC Davis ranked No. 12 among public universities, with UC Santa Cruz at No. 33, UC Riverside at No. 58 and UC Merced at No. 86. All nine of UC’s undergraduate campuses are included in the top 100.

In addition to its strong performance among public universities, six UCs also were among the top 50 nationally, a list that includes both public and private universities around the country. Those schools were UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Davis and UC San Diego.

“What’s truly extraordinary about the nine UC undergraduate campuses is the fact that they not only are ranked among the best in the nation, but also are providing educational opportunity for large numbers of students from low-income families, and young men and women who are the first in their families to graduate from a university,” President Napolitano said. “We’re as proud of the opportunity that our campuses create as the recognition they receive for academic excellence.”

The U.S. News and World Report rankings are only the latest instance of praise for the UC system as the purveyor of both an excellent education and social mobility. Washington Monthly recently put six campuses in its top 25 for serving the public interest, while Times Higher Education and Academic Ranking of World Universities praised UC as among the global academic elite.

2018 U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Campus Public National
UC Berkeley 1 21
UCLA 1 21
UC Santa Barbara 8 37
UC Irvine 9 42
UC San Diego 9 42
UC Davis 12 46
UC Santa Cruz 33 81
UC Riverside 58 124
UC Merced 86 165

Leave your comment here