Colleges and universities in Southern California are among the top-ranked schools across the country.
In U.S. News and World Report’s latest list of college rankings, half of the top 10 public universities are in Southern California. U.S. News and World Report scores each school based on graduation rates, peer assessments and faculty resources.
This year, a few campuses hit new milestones, like reaching a top 10 ranking for their academic programs or keeping high ranks year after year. Here’s a look at how Southern California’s colleges and universities fared.
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal Poly Pomona reached third in the best universities in the West and second in top public universities in the West.
The university’s undergraduate engineering programs, particularly, shone. All of them placed in the top 10 of their respective categories, including civil, computer, electrical and mechanical engineering.
Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton received 69th place in top public schools and 136th on the national list, which includes public and private schools that offer a variety of undergraduate, master’s and even doctoral programs for some universities.
The school’s academic programs are highlighted in the report, specifically its undergraduate engineering program. The Titans were ranked No. 37 with its civil and computer engineering programs ranking in the top 10.
Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State San Bernardino was named 171st on the national university list. But it also just made it in the top 100 public schools, coming in at 92nd.
The university was also a top-performing school in social mobility, ranking No. 12. The category recognizes universities that stride toward assisting disadvantaged students in their academic careers.
Caltech
With a 79% graduation rate, Caltech earned the sixth spot on the ranking for national universities. Many of its academic programs — including its engineering and computer science programs — ranked in the top 10.
Chapman University
The private university tied for 121th place in the national ranking that includes public and private schools. It has a 71% graduation rate and earned 127th for its economic program.
Claremont Colleges
Pomona College and Claremont McKenna College both placed in the top 10 for the best national liberal arts colleges.
Pomona has a 71% graduation rate, and Claremont McKenna has a slightly higher rate, 75%.
Long Beach State
The Sharks ranked 52nd among top public schools and 109th among national, public and private, universities.
The school has a 38% four-year graduation rate. The campus is a top contender in social mobility, coming in tied for third place. It is also tied for 23rd for best undergraduate engineering programs.
UC Irvine
UC Irvine has ranked among the top 10 public schools in the past decade, and this year it clocks in at No. 9. It also received an overall No. 9 spot in best social mobility, which is assisting disadvantaged students in their academics.
Additionally, UCI has ranked No. 33 on the list of national universities for the past three years.
UC Riverside
The university with a 65% four-year graduation rate hit No. 36 for top public schools. Currently, about 22,646 students are enrolled in classes at this campus.
The Highlanders stand out in a subcategory ranking for social mobility. UC Riverside has worked toward getting more students across the graduation stage and is tied for the No. 1 spot in social mobility.
Nationally, the school tied for 76th.
UCLA
The school has been on a hot streak by remaining the No.1 public school in the country for eight years in a row.
UCLA was also rated fourth in the best colleges for veterans. According to the university, there are 400 enrolled veterans and active-duty service members attending in the 2024-25 school year.
UCLA was tied for 15th place on the national university list.
USC
Compared to its rival school, USC’s placement has fluctuated in recent years. Currently, the university is tied for No. 27 in national universities. USC has an 81% four-year graduation rate.
In other categories, USC ranks in the top 10 in the best colleges for veterans and business programs, and it earned first in game/simulation development.
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