LOS ANGELES (CNS)—UCLA (the University of California–Los Angeles) was named the top public university in the nation for the fourth year in a row, according to rankings released Sept. 14 by U.S. News and World Report.
Two other campuses in the University of California system—UC Irvine and UC San Diego—tied for eighth with the Georgia Institute of Technology.
For overall national universities, the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), located in Pasadena, placed ninth in the magazine’s annual rankings. UCLA placed 20th and USC (the University of Southern California) was 24th.
UC Irvine and UC San Diego finished in a tie for 35th on the national rankings.
In ranking UCLA tops among public universities, the magazine noted its location “just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean” and acknowledged its 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor’s degree programs, and 97 minors.
UC Berkeley placed second on the list, while UC Santa Barbara placed sixth.
“It’s always wonderful to see UCLA recognized nationally, but it’s especially heartening at this challenging time,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said in a statement.
“UCLA stands resolute in our mission of teaching, research and service and in our commitment to advancing access, opportunity and diversity as a top public institution. Bruins everywhere can take pride in this recognition and our continued excellence.”
The ranking of best national universities was topped by Princeton University, followed by Harvard, Columbia, a fourth-place tie between Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Yale, a sixth-place tie between Stanford and the University of Chicago, and the University of Pennsylvania.
