UC Merced Rises in U.S. News Rankings, Valley Schools Shine
UC Merced has achieved notable recognition in the latest U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings, marking a significant milestone in its 20-year history. The university now holds the No. 57 position among national universities, climbing one spot from its previous ranking and advancing three positions from No. 60 in 2023. This upward trajectory underscores UC Merced’s ongoing commitment to enhancing educational quality and accessibility.
This year, UC Merced received impressive scores in several key categories: it ranked No. 3 in the nation for social mobility for the second consecutive year, No. 25 among top public schools, No. 133 for best value, and No. 135 for undergraduate engineering programs (doctorate). These rankings reflect the university’s mission to foster discovery and create opportunities.
University Leadership Responds
Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz expressed pride in the university’s achievements, stating, “Earning a place among the top 25 public universities in our first 20 years and ranking third in social mobility demonstrates that this vision is not only being realized but gaining national recognition.” He emphasized that UC Merced is contributing to the transformation of higher education in the Central Valley.
Performance of Other Valley Universities
Other institutions in the Central Valley also performed well in the rankings. Stanislaus State ranked among the top regional universities in the West, placing No. 3 in social mobility, No. 6 among top public schools, No. 7 for best colleges for veterans, and No. 9 for regional universities in the West. Additionally, it achieved No. 26 in best value schools. President Britt Rios-Ellis highlighted the role of education in uplifting communities across the Central Valley.
The University of the Pacific in Stockton was ranked No. 139 nationally and No. 48 for best value. Fresno State secured a position of No. 30 in social mobility, No. 46 among best undergraduate engineering programs, No. 52 for best value schools, and No. 100 among top public schools. It ranked No. 183 nationally.
California State University Bakersfield also made strides, placing No. 18 among top public schools in the West, No. 31 among regional universities in the West, and No. 60 among best undergraduate engineering programs (non-doctorate).
The U.S. News and World Report evaluates nearly 1,500 national colleges and universities based on 17 measures of academic quality, providing valuable insights for prospective students and families. The results highlight not only the achievements of UC Merced but also the positive impact of education in the broader Central Valley region.
