UC San Diego Maintains No. 3 Spot Among Top Public Colleges in Forbes Ranking
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The University of California San Diego continues to stand out as one of the nation's leading institutions, securing its position as the No. 3 top public university in the country, according to Forbes’ 2025 America’s Top Colleges list.
UC San Diego also retained its overall ranking as No. 21 in Forbes’ annual list, which showcases 500 private and public schools that “produce successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt.”
“We are proud to maintain our position as one of the top three public universities in the nation, as recognized by Forbes,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “This consistency underscores our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research and creating an inclusive environment where innovation can thrive. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of our hardworking faculty, staff and students, UC San Diego continues to drive unparalleled discoveries and technologies that truly make a difference in society.”
For its list, Forbes evaluates colleges across the nation to determine which institutions provide the best educational, financial and career outcomes for students. Colleges are scored based on several measures, including alumni salary (20%), debt (15%), graduation rate (15%), Forbes American Leaders List (15%), return on investment (15%), retention rate (10%) and academic success (10%).
Fourth-year cognitive science major Austin Hutton presenting at the Summer Research Conference at UC San Diego, Photo by Jen Jordan.
UC San Diego's ongoing dedication to excellence in education, research and academic success contributes to its consistently high rankings. Through the university's Undergraduate Research Hub Summer Research Program, student researchers develop skills and receive mentorship to become accomplished research scholars. The program also supports students in pursuing graduate studies, helping promote graduate school enrollment among underrepresented, low-income and first-generation college students. This August, program participants came together to showcase their unique projects at the 2024 Summer Research Conference, recognized as the largest regional conference for undergraduates engaged in faculty-mentored research.
The university’s commitment to guiding students to highly successful outcomes shines through its robust support systems and innovative programs, such as the Underground Scholars Initiative and Triton Underground Scholars. These initiatives provide formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students with essential resources to help them transition to college, navigate campus life, excel academically and thrive as Tritons. Along with fostering a strong campus community, students get the support they need to pursue their career goals—whether it's through tutoring, interview preparation or finding a welcoming space to share ideas.
U.S. men’s water polo team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
UC San Diego’s influence extends well beyond the campus, with its alumni making significant contributions on a global scale. This year, university alumnus and men’s water polo head coach Matt Ustaszewski ’04 attended the Paris 2024 Olympics to serve as the assistant coach of the U.S. men’s water polo team. In his second Olympic coaching role, he contributed to helping the team secure a bronze medal. Alumna Melody Gonzales ’02, a leader in advancing innovative policy, is a current Biden-Harris Administration appointee serving as executive director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Equity, Educational Excellence and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics. She will soon bring her expertise to support the university community in her new role as the incoming board president of the UC San Diego Alumni Association.
To learn more about Forbes’ list of America’s Top Colleges, visit the Forbes website. To view a list of UC San Diego rankings and accolades, visit the Campus Profile.
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