The University of California (UC) has achieved strong results in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, with UC Berkeley and UCLA named as the top two public universities in the country. Seven UC campuses are listed among the top 25 public universities, and all nine undergraduate campuses placed within the top 45 nationally.
This marks the sixth consecutive year that every UC undergraduate campus has ranked in the top 100 of all U.S. universities included in U.S. News’ annual evaluation, which this year considered more than 1,700 four-year institutions offering bachelor’s degrees.
UC campuses also performed well in measures of social mobility, which assess how effectively schools support lower-income students to earn degrees and improve their financial prospects. UC Riverside was ranked first in this category, while UC Merced placed third; all nine undergraduate campuses received high marks for social mobility.
“These rankings affirm the University of California’s place as the crown jewel of public higher education not only in California, but the entire United States,” said UC President James B. Milliken. “Our campuses deliver life-changing education to students from all walks of life, resulting in opportunities that benefit them, their families, and their communities.”
According to U.S. News’ campus-by-campus breakdown for public universities: UC Berkeley is ranked first (15th nationally), UCLA second (17th nationally), followed by UC San Diego at sixth (29th nationally), with other campuses including UC Davis and UC Irvine tied at ninth (32nd nationally). The system’s youngest campus, UC Merced—established in 2005—was recognized as No. 25 among public universities and No. 57 overall.
“We are honored to once again be recognized as the nation’s top public university,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons upon release of the rankings. “The data affirm all that Berkeley does as a powerful engine of economic mobility, and provider of affordable world-class education, accessible to all. We are proud of our pioneering research on society’s top challenges, shaping solutions that directly support our economy and the health, well-being and security of the American people.”
“These rankings affirm what we see every day. UC Merced is providing students with a well-rounded world-class education and ensuring that students from all backgrounds can succeed,” said UC Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz. “Our momentum continues to grow, and we are proud to represent the future of higher education in California and beyond.”
Data show significant proportions of Pell Grant recipients among incoming undergraduates at several campuses: at UC Riverside it is 51 percent; at UC Merced it is 64 percent—factors contributing to their leading positions on social mobility lists compiled by U.S. News across both public and private institutions.
On average, low-income or first-generation graduates from a University of California school move up economically at rates similar to other students after graduation; most surpass their parents’ income within four years and double it within ten years post-graduation. Among recent graduates from the class of 2025 across all nine undergraduate campuses, 67 percent finished without student loan debt—a reflection of one of the strongest financial aid programs nationwide.
UC’s performance extends into additional categories such as Best Colleges for Veterans: both Berkeley and UCLA were ranked as top two public schools for veterans; other campuses including San Diego, Davis, Irvine also appeared prominently among public institutions serving veterans.
Public perception aligns with these outcomes: a recent poll conducted by the Institute of Governmental Studies found most Californians believe attending a University of California institution helps students advance financially; seventy percent would recommend enrollment to close friends or relatives; seventy-six percent who graduated consider it worth its cost.
For over forty years U.S. News & World Report has published its Best Colleges guide using multiple factors—including graduation rates, graduate indebtedness levels, academic quality metrics—to compare colleges nationwide.
The University consistently stands out for undergraduate teaching excellence, research contributions at graduate level programs, faculty achievements in science fields—and continues earning recognition for supporting student financial success early in their careers.
More information about how University alumni impact California communities can be found on its official site: https://universityofcalifornia.edu/
