UC San Diego Ranks 7th Best US Public University in Center for World University Rankings
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The University of California San Diego has once again been ranked No. 7 among U.S. public universities in the latest Center for World University Rankings (CWUR). According to the 2025 CWUR "Global 2000 List," UC San Diego is ranked at No. 21 among all U.S. universities and No. 33 globally, placing it within the top 0.2% of the more than 21,000 universities evaluated worldwide.
UC San Diego achieved high marks for its faculty rank (12) and research rank (25). These scores were measured by factors including the number of faculty members who have won prestigious academic distinctions as well as the number of research papers appearing in top-tier journals.
"This continued recognition by the Center for World University Rankings demonstrates UC San Diego's unwavering commitment to academic excellence, groundbreaking research and our role in preparing future leaders," said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "Our faculty and researchers continually advance knowledge across diverse disciplines, making profound impacts globally and reinforcing our position as an innovation powerhouse."
The CWUR rankings assess institutions based on quality of education (25%), alumni employment (25%), faculty achievements (10%) and research output and impact (40%).
Recently, three UC San Diego faculty members—Russell Impagliazzo, professor of computer science and engineering; Cornelis Murre, Distinguished Professor of molecular biology; and Elizabeth Winzeler, professor of pediatrics and associate dean for research and innovation at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences—were elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences (NAS). Membership in NAS is among the highest honors for U.S. scientists.
Additionally, six faculty members were named to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, underscoring the breadth of UC San Diego's academic strength. The inductees include Amanda Datnow, Chancellor’s Associates Endowed Chair in Education Studies and associate dean of the School of Social Sciences; James D. Hamilton, Distinguished Professor and Robert F. Engle Endowed Chair in Econometrics; Randy Hampton, professor of cell and developmental biology; M. Brian Maple, Distinguished Professor and Bernd T. Matthias Endowed Chair in physics; Carol Padden, dean of the School of Social Sciences and Sanford I. Berman Chair in Language and Human Communication; and Suresh Subramani, Distinguished Professor and Tata Chancellor’s Professor in molecular biology.
Marine biologist Daniel Wangpraseurt (left) and postdoctoral researcher Samapti Kundu examine coral growing in an experimental aquarium at UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Credit: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego.
UC San Diego researchers are consistently at the forefront of tackling pressing global challenges through innovative research across a wide cross section of fields:
Scientists at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Jacobs School of Engineering recently developed SNAP-X, a revolutionary gel designed to boost coral reef restoration. SNAP-X, formulated from nanoparticles, slowly releases chemical cues to attract coral larvae, significantly improving their settlement by up to 20 times compared to untreated surfaces. This innovation represents a major advancement in efforts to restore coral habitats severely impacted by climate change.
In groundbreaking neuroscience research, UC San Diego neurobiologists have provided new insights into how brain circuits physically reorganize during motor learning. Published in Nature, their study used advanced imaging techniques and novel analytical methods to reveal that learning reshapes neural connections between the motor thalamus and primary motor cortex. This discovery offers critical knowledge for developing new treatments and technologies for neurological disorders.
Further highlighting UC San Diego's impactful research, a recent study from the Rady School of Management examined the major implications of congressional stock trading on public trust and law compliance. Utilizing real-world data, the research found that even limited exposure to reports of congressional stock trading significantly erodes Americans' trust in lawmakers and decreases their willingness to comply with laws, underscoring an urgent bipartisan need for policy reform.
UC San Diego consistently ranks among top universities worldwide, including sixth among public U.S. universities by U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Colleges. For more information on UC San Diego's rankings, visit our Campus Profile. To learn more about CWUR's methodology and global rankings, visit the CWUR website.
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