“What are the best UC schools?” If you’re going to study in the US, the UC system is undoubtedly a key term you can’t avoid! Over 80% of applicants have either considered or applied to a UC institution. The University of California (UC) system is not only one of the world’s most influential public university systems but also the benchmark for public universities across the United States. With 10 campuses across multiple cities in California, the UC system offers world-class academic resources while providing a more affordable option compared to prestigious private institutions. Follow us for the latest UC school rankings and discover the unique insights of the best UC campuses to help you choose the right study destination.
An Overview of the University of California System
The University of California system (UC) stands as a significant and indispensable representative within the United States’ public higher education system. UC system originated from the College of California, founded in Oakland in 1853. In March 1868, it was officially renamed “University of California”. In 1873, in honor of George Berkeley, one of the greatest philosophers of the 18th century, the college town where the University of California is located was named “Berkeley City.” Since then, it has gradually set up UC schools in Los Angeles and other places. Today, the UC system has grown as one of the most influential public university systems in the world, known as “the model of public higher education.” With 250,000 applicants every year, the UC system has been one of the most popular universities in the US. Below are the features of the UC system.
- Public Institution: As a state-funded university, the UC system’s operations receive funding from the state government. Consequently, it offers reduced tuition rates for in-state students while charging higher fees for out-of-state and international students.
- Focus on Research: The UC system places significant emphasis on research, providing undergraduate students with ample opportunities to participate in world-class research projects. It is renowned as a “cradle for cultivating research talent and future leaders.”
- Diverse Environment: Each UC campus fosters an exceptionally diverse community, with students from varied ethnicities, cultures, and social backgrounds, creating an open and inclusive academic environment.
- Test-Free Policy: The admissions process operates under a Test-Free policy, meaning they do not consider SAT/ACT scores. Instead, the UC system comprehensively evaluates high school GPA, course rigour, extracurricular activities, leadership experience, and application essays.
The list of UC schools in California
There are 10 schools in the UC system. Except for UC San Francisco, which does not have an undergraduate program, they all offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. Here is the list of all UC schools.
1. University of California, Berkeley
2. University of California, Los Angeles
3. University of California, Santa Barbara
4. University of California, San Diego
5. University of California, San Francisco
6. University of California, Irvine
7. University of California, Davis
8. University of California, Santa Cruz
9. University of California, Riverside
10. University of California, Merced
UC System Ranking
The ranking of UC schools considers factors such as academic research, teaching quality, and faculty. The academic strength and research level are crucial for a university’s reputation and status in its fields. All top UC schools are included in the U.S. News & World Report’s list of the best national universities. The chart below also includes UC schools’ acceptance rates.
| UC Schools | U.S. News Ranking National Universities(tie) |
Founding Year | Acceptance Rate | In-state Tuition | Out-of-state Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | 15 | 1919 | 9% | $14,208 | $46,503 |
| UC Berkeley | 17 | 1868 | 12% | $16,832 | $51,032 |
| UC San Diego | 29 | 1960 | 25% | $16,815 | $51,015 |
| UC Davis | 33 | 1905 | 42% | $15,794 | $47,682 |
| UC Irvine | 33 | 1965 | 26% | $14,737 | $46,626 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 39 | 1909 | 28% | $15,460 | $47,755 |
| UC Merced | 58 | 2005 | 89% | $14,610 | $46,905 |
| UC Riverside | 76 | 1954 | 70% | $14,316 | $48,516 |
| UC Santa Cruz | 84 | 1965 | 61% | $15,983 | $50,183 |
University of California, Los Angeles
- #16 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #5 in Psychology Programs (tie)
- #10 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology (tie)
The University of California, Los Angeles, is the best UC campus in the United States. It ranks among the top 10 public universities in the United States. UCLS has a variety of fields, from the arts to engineering.
Compared to UCB, In terms of life sciences, UCLA’s life science is much better because it has an independent medical school and rich research resources. UCLA also has strengths in psychology and clinical psychology, as well as education. In addition, UCLA is located near Hollywood, which makes UCLA famous in the field of art, especially film and television production.
University of California, Berkeley
- #3 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs
- #2 in Business Programs (tie)
- #2 in Computer Science (tie)
UC Berkeley is one of the best UC schools in California. The engineering and computer science majors at UC Berkeley rank among the top 3 in the United States, comparable to those at MIT, Stanford, and Carnegie Mellon. If you are looking for the best UC schools for engineering, choose UC Berkeley.
Additionally, UC Berkeley’s programs in natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science are the strongest among the University of California schools. This does not imply that the economics, statistics, and social science programs, including journalism, are not also of high quality. The university is also one of the Best UC schools for business, with its business programs ranking second in the U.S. News ranking.
University of California, San Diego
- #20 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #8 in Biomedical
- #4 in Biocomputing/Bioinformatics/Biotechnology
The University of California, San Diego, was one of the top 10 popular science colleges in the United States. The university is located near the beach and has a beautiful campus.
UCSD is famous for its life sciences, featuring its own medical school and infirmary, alongside extensive research initiatives. The School of Medicine and Pharmacy occupies nearly half the campus. The university is surrounded by top biological research institutions and tech companies, offering students valuable internship and research opportunities.
Additionally, UCSD is one of the best UC schools for computer science. It is strong in science, mathematics, and engineering, with programs in biological sciences, bioengineering, and aerospace ranking among the top 20 in the U.S. The visual arts and economics departments are also well-regarded.
University of California, Davis
- #30 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #1 in Biological / Agricultural (tie)
- #22 in Economics (tie)
UC Davis is the biggest UC campus. It is well known for its School of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine. They are always ranked first in the United States. UC Davis has strength in agronomy. If you are interested in plants and wine, you can consider its unique program, viticulture, and winemaking program. Agronomy at this university is so influential that the programs in other colleges may involve agronomy-related topics.
In addition to UCB, UCD also has an atomic nuclear physics laboratory. Engineering, biology, environmental science, psychology, economics, and other majors are always among the top 30 in the United States.
University of California, Irvine
- #35 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #26 in Nursing (tie)
- #10 in Software Engineering (tie)
UC Irvine‘s proximity to Silicon Valley makes for great internship opportunities. Among the top ranked UC schools, UC Irvine is also the only school inside the University of California system that offers criminology, which is also UCI’s most powerful major and one of the top 3 in the nation.
The organic chemistry in the field of chemistry is also a nice choice for students. Additionally, the university has set up the School of Computer Science, which covers computer science, software engineering, and human-computer interaction. Other popular majors are engineering, earth science, biology, and math.
University of California, Santa Barbara
- #35 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #43 in Economics (tie)
Many of UCSB‘s professors have won Nobel Prizes in chemistry, physics, and economics, and its materials engineering, chemical engineering, and electrical engineering are very powerful. Physics has not been established for a long time, but it is very strong and only admits students pursuing a PhD. Besides, economics, psychology, political science, information technology, computer science, and English are also ace majors.
UCSB ranking is 39 among the national universities, according to U.S. News. Marine Biology is UCSB’s special major, and UCSB is one of the few universities in America that offers this major. There are two branches: marine and freshwater. Besides taking courses, students are required to do experiments in laboratories and go on field trips. The Pacific Ocean is not far away from UCSB, along with four nearby natural land and water conservation areas, which are natural resources and conditions for the study of marine biology.
University of California, Riverside
- #90 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #78 in Economics (tie)
The University of California, Riverside, ranks top in the social sciences in the United States, and biomedicine is second to none in California. With a long history, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences originated from the University of California Citrus Experiment Station.
The university is about an hour’s drive from Los Angeles. The student body is majority-minority. The acceptance rate at this prettiest UC campus is 70%, so it’s much easier for students graduating from one of the best high schools in California to enter this university. What’s more, its business school is growing quickly. Its graduates majoring in computer science graduates have had good job prospects in recent years.
University of California, Santa Cruz
- #98 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #78 in Economics (tie)
Physics is the strongest major at UCSC, with the highest citation rate of physics papers among all physics departments at any university in the United States. Astronomy is one of the strongest majors at UCSC. Its Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics only admits applicants for PhD. Due to its proximity to the Monterey Bay Marine Reserve, marine biology and earth sciences are highly popular.
University of California, Merced
- #139 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (tie)
- #69 in Public Health
UC Merced emphasizes scientific research and public service. The university inherits and continues the high research standards of the University of California system. Focusing on sustainable construction, it is dedicated to advanced research and environmental protection. Additionally, it aims to stimulate economic and cultural diversification in the surrounding areas.
There is a lot of groundbreaking work going on at UC Merced in diabetes, cancer, bacterial diseases, antibiotic resistance, solar energy, climate change, water quality and availability, ecology, engineering, archaeology, culture, history, political science, computer science, and more.
UC Rankings Discussion
Combining the UC schools ranked 2025 with the introduction of each UC campus, we can get the following information:
- UCLA remains the top choice for those who are going to study in California, meaning there will be more applicants facing the extremely low acceptance rate. Therefore, if you wish to stay in Los Angeles, it’s important to make good preparation well in advance.
- UC Berkeley reigns as the king of public universities in the U.S. The high salaries of its graduates and robust research make it more competitive in both the job market and academic circles. For students planning a research career or aiming for high-paying industries, UC Berkeley is the top choice.
- UC San Diego offers outstanding value to numerous applicants. It has abundant research opportunities, especially in STEM fields. And it is less competitive than UCLA, making it an ideal choice for STEM students.
- Irvine’s employment resources and its location in Southern California are highly advantageous for local students.
- Santa Barbara boasts an exceptional campus environment and high student satisfaction, and it is friendly to students from diverse backgrounds.
- Davis excels in agriculture, veterinary medicine, and life sciences. Students aspiring to become future leaders in agricultural technology or environmental protection can try to apply this UC school.
How to Choose the Best UC Schools?
The best UC university is the school that is most suitable for you. When choosing the best UC schools, you are advised to make decisions based on academic interests, career goals, financial circumstances, and city preferences, while also consulting the latest data and admissions information on each campus’s official website. Attend the campus Open Day or online presentation when necessary. Here are some key considerations for choosing the best UC schools.
1. Define Academic Interests
- STEM Fields: UC San Diego (UCSD) excels in biological sciences and computer science; UC Berkeley (UCB) leads globally in engineering and computer science.
- Humanities & Social Sciences: UC Berkeley ranks highly in humanities and social sciences (e.g., economics, history); UCLA holds a distinct advantage in film and media studies.
- Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: UC Davis (UCD) ranks among the world’s best in agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine.
2. Consider Geographic Location and Industry Resources
- Northern California: UC Berkeley’s proximity to Silicon Valley offers abundant internship and career opportunities, ideal for students in technology and finance.
- Southern California: UCLA is situated in the entertainment industry hub, ideal for film, media, and business students. UC San Diego is surrounded by a dense cluster of biotechnology companies, benefiting biomedical students.
3. Assess Admission Difficulty and Personal Qualifications
- Top-tier campuses: UC Berkeley and UCLA have extremely low acceptance rates (around 10%), requiring outstanding academic performance and notable competition or research experience.
- Moderate-Challenge Campuses: UC San Diego and UC Davis offer relatively higher acceptance rates, suitable for students with solid but not top-tier grades and clear academic interests.
- Accessible Campuses: UC Riverside (UCR) and UC Merced (UCM) boast higher acceptance rates, ideal for students with average grades but demonstrable potential.
4. Consider Cost of Living and Campus Environment
- High-cost regions: The San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles have elevated living expenses, requiring careful consideration of financial pressures.
- Low-cost regions: Davis and Merced offer lower living costs, suitable for students with limited budgets.
- Campus atmosphere: Santa Cruz (UCSC) boasts beautiful surroundings, appealing to nature-loving students; Irvine (UCI) prioritises campus safety, ideal for introverted students.
5. Align with career goals
- Research-Oriented: Berkeley and San Diego offer abundant research resources, ideal for students pursuing PhDs or research careers.
- Career-Oriented: Los Angeles and Davis maintain strong industry connections, facilitating direct post-graduation employment.
Conclusion
Best UC schools excel in various rankings for 2025, with UCLA tied for 15th and UC Berkeley closely following in the U.S. News rankings. UC Davis and UCSD also performed well, ranked 28th and 29th, respectively. All UC’s campuses have popular majors with distinct features. They are recognised for their academic excellence and research capabilities. Hope the comprehensive knowledge of these UC schools can help you make informed decisions when you have no idea of choosing schools.
FAQ
Which UC is hard to get into?
According to the newest statistics of U.S. News in 2024, UCLA is the hardest UC school to get into, with 9% of the acceptance rate.
| UC Schools | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| UCLA | 9% |
| UC Berkeley | 12% |
| UC San Diego | 25% |
| UC Irvine | 26% |
| UC Santa Barbara | 28% |
| UC Davis | 42% |
| UC Santa Cruz | 61% |
| UC Riverside | 70% |
| UC Merced | 89% |
Which UC is the most prestigious?
UCLA
According to the 2025 U.S. News ranking, UCLA ranks 15th among national universities.
| UC Schools | U.S. News Ranking National Universities(tie) |
|---|---|
| UCLA | 15 |
| UC Berkeley | 17 |
| UC San Diego | 29 |
| UC Irvine | 33 |
| UC Davis | 33 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 39 |
| UC Merced | 58 |
| UC Riverside | 76 |
| UC Santa Cruz | 84 |
Which UC is most expensive?
UC Berkeley.
The in-state tuition of UC Berkeley is $16,832, and its out-of-state tuition is $51,032, making it the most expensive UC school.
| UC Schools | In-state Tuition | Out-of-state Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA | $14,208 | $46,503 |
| UC Riverside | $14,316 | $48,516 |
| UC Merced | $14,610 | $46,905 |
| UC Irvine | $14,737 | $46,626 |
| UC Santa Barbara | $15,460 | $47,755 |
| UC Davis | $15,794 | $47,682 |
| UC Santa Cruz | $15,983 | $50,183 |
| UC San Diego | $16,815 | $51,015 |
| UC Berkeley | $16,832 | $51,032 |
What is UC Davis ranking in 2025?
UC Davis is ranked 33rd by US News, 43rd by Forbes, and 26th by Washington Monthly. It is one of the best UC universities in California, attracting many appalicants every year.
What is the tuition fees of UC berkeley?
The total out-of-state tuition of UC Berkeley is $74,544/ year, ranking second among UC schools. Its out-of-state tuition fees are $44,467/ year, and the in-state tuition is $14,395/year.
