UC San Diego Named 8th Best Among U.S. Public Universities by Center for World University Rankings

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The University of California San Diego has been ranked 8th among public U.S. universities by the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) in annual rankings announced today. The CWUR publishes the largest academic rankings of global universities, evaluating 20,000 universities around the world in its list each year. The rankings measure universities’ quality of education (25%), alumni employment (25%), quality of faculty (10%) and research performance (40%).

The campus was listed in the no. 22 spot among all U.S. universities and was named 34th worldwide in the rankings.

“UC San Diego is pleased to receive this honor, especially as our university continues to generate positive change, conduct cutting-edge research and provide service to our community as we pull together during this challenging time,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “Our highly esteemed faculty and alumni consistently make great strides toward solving society’s biggest challenges, ranging from stemming the spread of COVID-19 to creating a more diverse and socially just world.”

As one of the nation’s top public research universities with a wide breadth of tools and talents, UC San Diego recently launched its innovative Return to Learn program, which aims to broadly test students, faculty and staff on campus for presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The pilot program is one of the first in the U.S. to widely test students for the coronavirus, and is intended to better position the university to resume in-person classes this fall.

Faculty also play an integral part in UC San Diego’s culture of research and teaching, garnering top-tier global recognition for their achievements and discoveries. For example, Distinguished Professor of Music Anthony Davis was awarded the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his opera ‘The Central Park Five,’ making him the third UC San Diego faculty member to receive the prestigious award. And in April, three UC San Diego professors—Paul M. Churchland, Vicki H. Grassian, and David G. Victor—along with Vice Chancellor Margaret S. Leinen were elected to the 2020 class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, considered one of the most esteemed honorary societies in the nation.

UC San Diego produces outstanding alumni who drive innovation as risk-taking industry leaders. The university’s alumni network boasts over 200,000 members, ranging from NASA astronauts and computer scientists to National Geographic explorers and mechanical engineers. UC San Diego graduates are also on the frontlines of the current pandemic, working to protect the vulnerable, save lives and give back to their community. Aditi Sharma, M.D., a UC San Diego bioengineering alumna and resident physician at the UC Irvine dermatology department, is combining her engineering and medical expertise to produce face masks for healthcare workers. Alongside her colleagues, Sharma has launched a project to create 10,000 face masks out of discarded surgical tool sterilization wraps, helping to tackle the widespread shortage of the crucial protective gear.

UC San Diego consistently performs well in national and international rankings. For more information about university rankings, visit the Campus Profile. For more information on the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), visit the rankings organization’s website.