U.S. News & World Report Ranks Best Public Colleges in 2024

U.S. New & World Report has released its annual rankings of the nation’s top universities. Among public institutions, California continues to lead, with five out of the top 10 winners in the Golden State.

U.S. News & World Report’s rankings are based on more than a dozen factors, including graduation rates, post-graduate success, and financial resources.

Below is a list of the 10 Best Public Universities in California, according to the report. 

1. University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Los Angeles (tied for No. 1)
2. University of California, Davis and University of California, San Diego (tied for No. 6)
3. University of California, Irvine (No. 10)
4. University of California, Santa Barbara (No. 12)
5. University of California, Merced (No. 28)
6. University of California, Riverside (No. 36)
7. University of California, Santa Cruz (No. 40)
8. California State University, Long Beach and San Diego State University (tied for No. 51)
9. California State University Fullerton (No. 70)
10. California State University, San Bernardino (No. 91)

See the full list here.

List and data were compiled by U.S. News & World Report.