University of California’s undergraduate campuses continue to define higher education excellence in Forbes’ latest America’s Top Colleges ranking, with eight among the top 40 public schools and all nine in the top 100.
Six campuses are also among the top 40 colleges and universities in the country — public or private.
2027 Forbes rankings by campus
| Campus | Public | National |
|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | 1 | 9 |
| UCLA | 2 | 12 |
| UC San Diego | 4 | 22 |
| UC Davis | 10 | 36 |
| UC Irvine | 11 | 37 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 12 | 39 |
| UC Santa Cruz | 26 | 80 |
| UC Riverside | 36 | 97 |
| UC Merced | 95 | 211 |
Why it matters:
Students and parents look for schools that set undergraduates up for success after graduation — not just prestige on the way in — and Forbes’ ranking focuses on positive outcomes. Their methodology includes alumni salary (20%), student debt (15%), graduation rate (15%), return on investment (15%) and student retention (10%) among other factors.
Forbes findings reflect what fresh UC data show: A UC degree pays off with higher earnings that grow over time, and UC graduates enter the workforce with greater financial flexibility due to no or low debt.
Right out of the gate, UC bachelor’s degree-holders in California earn more than those who only complete high school. They also out-earn the median earnings for bachelor’s degree-holders in the state. UC alumni continue to out-earn those groups year over year, by bigger and bigger margins.
Forbes echoes what rankings by Money magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Pitchbook, Washington Monthly, and many others continue to find: The University of California is the top public university in the country, providing exceptional value and opportunities.
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