UC San Diego Once Again Ranked No. 6 on The Princeton Review’s Best Value Public Colleges List

“We are proud to be recognized as the sixth best value college in the nation and third best value college in California by The Princeton Review once again,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “Providing access to an affordable, top-tier education is an investment in our society’s future. We want to ensure talented students of all backgrounds have opportunities to pursue fulfilling careers, achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in the world.”

More than numbers on a list, the recent rankings underscore the university’s commitment to the student experience. Recognized globally for academic and research excellence, UC San Diego is home to an expansive innovation ecosystem, where students are immersed in collaborative environments designed to equip them with tools necessary to solve real-world challenges.

Along their Triton journeys, students are encouraged to engage with faculty and staff as they explore their passions and work to make a difference. Through the Research Experience and Applied Learning Portal, students can find opportunities to build practical skills and apply knowledge gained in the classroom. At the Teaching + Learning Commons, the Academic Internship Program helps students explore career paths, participate in the community and enrich their education through experiential learning. Among an array of other supports for success, students can also put their ideas to the test in hands-on workspaces like The Basement and Makerspace.

And UC San Diego believes every qualified student—regardless of income—can attend, thrive and graduate as a Triton. One recent initiative, the Brian and Paula Powers Chancellor’s Associates Inspiration Challenge, aims to increase financial aid and comprehensive support for high-achieving, low-income students from California through the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship Program (CASP). To date, the Chancellor’s Associates Scholarship program has provided more than 2,900 students with access to a UC San Diego education.

The UC San Diego Financial Aid and Scholarships Office administers many other scholarships and fellowships to support students from diverse backgrounds—including foster youth, veterans, first-generation scholars and more. The office also connects students to information about grants, loans, work-study programs, study abroad opportunities and other types of funding. Seventy percent of current UC San Diego undergraduates receive some form of financial aid to help realize their academic and career dreams.

UC San Diego is consistently recognized among leading public universities offering a transformative education at an affordable cost. This June, the university earned a top 5-star rating in Money magazine's list of "Best Colleges in America" for 2025. To learn more about UC San Diego's performance in national and global rankings, visit the Campus Profile.

The full methodology for the Best Value Colleges 2025 ranking can be found on The Princeton Review website.