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UC San Diego Rises to No. 6 in The Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges 2024

Students relax out front of Geisel Library.
Students relax out front of Geisel Library. Photo by Erik Jepsen.

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The University of California San Diego has risen to the No. 6 public university in the nation for students seeking stellar academics and a great career foundation at an affordable cost, according to the Princeton Review’s Best Value Colleges for 2024 ranking.

The Best Value Colleges for 2024 named 209 schools as "Best Values" and recognized top schools for various distinctions in seven ranking list categories. The lists are based on more than 40 data points that cover academics, affordability and career outcomes of graduates.

Overall, UC San Diego made the top 10 in four categories. The university moved up two spots to sixth in the outlet’s “Top 50 Best Value Colleges (Public Schools)” list. UC San Diego also secured the No. 10 spot in both the outlet’s “Top 20 Best Schools for Financial Aid (Public Schools)” list and “Top 20 Best Value Colleges for Students With No Demonstrated Need (Public Schools)” list. The university maintained the fifth spot in the “Top 20 Best Career Placement (Public Schools)” list.

Students at the Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program graduation event.
Students at the Chancellor's Associates Scholars Program graduation event.

"We are pleased to be recognized by The Princeton Review as the sixth best value college in the nation and the third best value college in the state of California,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. "By ensuring affordable, high quality education, we empower students from diverse backgrounds to acquire the skills and knowledge essential for thriving in the future workforce and making a positive impact on society."

UC San Diego serves as a catalyst for social mobility, preparing the next generation to leverage their talents for a better tomorrow. Among the university’s initiatives is Summer Bridge, a five-week program that helps incoming first-year students—with a priority on students who identify as first-generation or from underserved populations—successfully transition from high school to college. Participation in this program is fully funded by the university. 

Through an array of support and resources, UC San Diego empowers its students to effectively pursue and realize their academic and professional ambitions. The university offers a range of scholarship programs, including the prestigious Chancellor's Associates Scholarship aimed at supporting talented, first-generation students. UC San Diego also provides support for students who want to take their academic journey abroad through scholarship fund and award opportunities such as the Chancellor's Study Abroad Scholarship, the So Family Scholarship and more. 

UC San Diego is consistently recognized as a leader in providing excellent education at an affordable cost. This month, the university earned a spot in Money magazine's list of "Best Colleges in America" for 2024, receiving a top 5-star rating. 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 ranking can be found on The Princeton Review website.

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