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UCR is again No. 1 for social mobility in U.S. News rankings

cfabi002 — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 23:03:09 +0000

UCR is again No. 1 for social mobility in U.S. News rankings cfabi002 Fri, 09/26/2025 - 16:03 More Blog Posts September 26, 2025

U.S. News & World Report has again named UC Riverside the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility. This is the seventh year that U.S. News has featured a breakout category for social mobility. UCR has been ranked No. 1 for five of those seven years; it was No. 2 the other two years.

For the second consecutive year, UCR tied for the top ranking with Florida International University.

U.S. News released its 2026 Best Colleges list on Sept. 23. U.S. News Best Colleges is the nation’s most-watched college rankings list.

In its social mobility ranking, U.S. News aggregates two factors that assess the graduation rates of students who receive the Pell Grant, typically awarded to families earning less than $65,000 per year. The factors are Pell Grant six-year graduation rates and Pell Grant graduation rate performance. More than 45% of UCR’s undergraduates receive a Pell Grant.

UCR was No. 75 in overall rank, an improvement from No. 76 this past year. It remained No. 36 among public universities.

In U.S. News’ scoring formula, 19 categories are considered. The greatest weight in U.S. News’ overall national ranking is afforded to graduation rates, which is a four-year average of six-year graduation rates (21%); graduation rate performance, which considers predicted vs. actual graduation rates (10%); and peer assessment, a reputational survey among presidents, provosts, and admissions deans (20%).

In breakout categories by program, UCR’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering’s undergraduate computer science program was ranked No. 54 in the nation. UCR’s undergraduate psychology program, in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, climbed three places to No. 60.

In the overall list, Princeton is No. 1, MIT is No. 2, and Harvard is No. 3.

Several years ago, U.S. News made major adjustments to its formula, to the benefit of categories in which UCR performs well. In 2019, social mobility was given greater overall weight, in addition to getting its own category. Acceptance rates were eliminated, and the weight afforded for standardized test scores and high school standing was reduced.

Fall is college rankings season, with major publications across the U.S. publishing “best college” lists. UCR was recently named the No. 15 university in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine for access, meaning how well it provides access to non-wealthy students. UCR climbed 20 positions among publics, to No. 25 in the U.S.; UCR was No. 50 in the overall national rankings.

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UCR Business Grad Programs Rank High Nationally

ilseu — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 17:05:05 +0000

UCR Business Grad Programs Rank High Nationally ilseu Tue, 04/08/2025 - 10:05 More News UCR News April 08, 2025

UC Riverside’s business, education, and engineering programs placed high in U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings of graduate programs in the U.S.

The School of Business climbed 17 positions for its part-time Master of Business Administration, or MBA, program to rank No. 56 in the nation. The Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, or BCOE, ranked No. 89 overall, saw increases in five programs. The School of Education ranked No. 90 overall among 258 schools with doctoral-level programs.

U.S. News and World Report published its rankings of master’s and doctoral programs on April 8, which is based on data including reputational surveys sent to academics and industry professionals and students’ postgraduate outcomes.

The School of Business’s part-time MBA program saw the biggest increase but its full-time MBA program also climbed two positions to tie for No. 88 among Best Business Schools. The previous year, the school, which opened a new academic building last year, climbed 20 positions in the rankings.

The ranking also found that 60% of graduates were employed within three months of graduation and that the average annual salary plus bonuses was $87,276.

“Our improved ranking reflects our continued investments in a strong MBA program,” said Yunzeng Wang, dean of the School of Business. “We just opened a state-of-the-art facility and our MBA graduates go on to get great jobs with good salaries. We expect our ranking will continue to improve as word gets out about the quality of our programs.”

At BCOE, computer engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, and materials science and engineering all rose in the rankings and were among the top 70 of all graduate engineering programs ranked nationwide.

“The graduate programs in our college are key to advancing our students' professional and scholarly goals,” said Christopher S. Lynch, the college’s dean. “These rankings demonstrate our effectiveness in preparing master's and doctoral students for distinguished careers in academia, research, and leadership roles.”

BCOE’s environmental engineering program saw the most significant gains, ranking No. 54, up three positions from last year. The computer engineering and computer science programs moved up to No. 53 and No. 54, respectively. Similarly, the electrical engineering program increased its ranking by two slots to No. 63. The materials science and engineering program ranked at No. 70, an increase of one position.

U.S. News & World Report, the standard-bearer among college rankings, publishes its much-anticipated undergraduate rankings every fall. In the most recent rankings, released in fall 2024, UCR was ranked No. 1 nationally in social mobility, which considers the degree to which a university elevates its graduates to a higher standard of living.

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U.S. News Names UCR No. 1 for Social Mobility

cfabi002 — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 20:43:59 +0000

U.S. News Names UCR No. 1 for Social Mobility cfabi002 Mon, 09/30/2024 - 13:43 More Blog Posts John D Warren | UCR News September 20, 2024

UC Riverside has again been named the No. 1 university in the nation for social mobility by U.S. News & World Report.

This is the sixth year that U.S. News has featured a breakout category for social mobility, which considers the degree to which a university elevates its low-income graduates to a higher standard of living. The first three years, UCR was ranked No. 1 in the nation among four-year universities; for the past two years, it was No. 2.

“Everyone at UC Riverside is committed to the success of our students," said Kim Wilcox, UCR's chancellor. "That commitment has led to our top rankings in student social mobility not just this year, but year after year.”

UCR tied for the top ranking with Florida International University.

U.S. News released its 2024-25 Best Colleges list on Sept. 23. U.S. News' Best Colleges is the nation’s most watched college rankings list.

UCR was No. 76 in overall rank, which was its placement this past year. It also remained No. 36 among public universities for the second consecutive year.

In U.S. News’ scoring formula, 19 categories are considered. The greatest weight (21%) in U.S. News’ overall national ranking is afforded to graduation rates, which is a four-year average of six-year graduation rates; graduate rate performance, which considers predicted vs. actual graduation rates, receives 10% weight; and peer assessment, a reputational survey among presidents, provosts, and admissions deans, receives 20%. The biggest formula change this year was to give greater weight to graduation rates, which accounted for 16% of the overall ranking score in 2023-24 vs. 20% this year.

UCR moved up to No. 22 nationally in U.S. News' “most innovative” subcategory, based on nominations from universities’ top leadership. In 2023-24, UCR was No. 25 in the category.

UCR’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering’s undergraduate computer science program moved up three positions to No. 53 in the nation. UCR’s undergraduate psychology program, in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, climbed 17 places to No. 63, and the CHASS undergraduate economics department climbed 10 spots to No. 78.

In the overall list, Princeton University is No. 1, Massachusetts Institute of Technology is No. 2, and Harvard University is No. 3.

In the past few years, U.S. News has made major adjustments to its formula, placing greater value on the categories in which UCR performs well. In 2019, social mobility was given greater overall weight, in addition to getting its own category. Acceptance rates were eliminated, and the weight afforded for standardized test scores and high school standing was reduced. Since U.S. News' 2018 Best Colleges list, UCR has moved from No. 124 to No. 76 overall.

Fall is college rankings season, with major publications across the U.S. publishing “best college” lists. It’s been another good season for UC Riverside, with the Wall Street Journal on Sept. 5 naming UCR No. 12 in the nation for social mobility among public and private universities in the U.S. For graduation rate, one of the Journal’s scoring categories, UCR received 98 out of a possible 100. In the overall rankings, the Journal moved UCR up 73 positions, to No. 108 out of 500 ranked universities.

In other publications’ rankings, UCR was ranked No. 16 for Pell Grant student success by Washington Monthly , and No. 37 among public universities by Forbes magazine .

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UCR in Top 1.3% of World Universities

clin246 — Fri, 17 May 2024 18:13:47 +0000

UCR in Top 1.3% of World Universities clin246 Fri, 05/17/2024 - 11:13 More Blog Posts IMRAN GHORI May 14, 2024

UC Riverside ranked in the top 1.3% of universities worldwide in the 2024 Center for World University Rankings, released Monday, May 13. This recognition underscores the university’s ongoing commitment to excellence in education, research, and community impact, and highlights the significant role UCR plays among leading global institutions.

In the 2024 rankings, the campus earned the position of No. 263 out of 20,966 universities evaluated across the globe. This placement firmly situates UC Riverside among the very top tier of higher education institutions. On a national level, UCR ranked No. 82 in the United States, reflecting its strength and competitiveness among a large and diverse group of American universities. For the combined region of the United States and Canada, UCR was placed at No. 95, further showcasing its strong standing within North America.

The Center for World University Rankings (CWUR), a consultancy based in the United Arab Emirates, publishes this annual evaluation. CWUR is recognized for its comprehensive and transparent methodology, which allows institutions to be compared across multiple areas of achievement. The organization evaluates universities according to four key categories: education, which measures the academic success of a university’s alumni; employability, which tracks the professional success of alumni in leadership positions; faculty, which considers top academic distinctions awarded to members of the institution; and research, which measures both the volume and the influence of scholarly work produced.

Each institution is assigned a score based on these categories, with 100 being the highest possible score. In this year’s report, UC Riverside earned a score of 77.6. This score reflects consistent strengths across all evaluated areas, from the quality of its faculty to the professional accomplishments of its graduates and the growing impact of its research output.

The achievement is especially notable because it marks the sixth consecutive year in which UC Riverside has ranked in the top 1.3% of universities worldwide. Maintaining this level of performance year after year demonstrates stability, resilience, and an ongoing commitment to improvement. It also illustrates how UCR continues to build on its momentum, ensuring that its students and faculty remain competitive at a global level.

For students and alumni, these rankings provide validation that their education is respected internationally. A high ranking not only increases the value of a UCR degree in the job market but also reassures current students that they are part of an institution recognized for excellence. Employers and graduate schools also take notice of such achievements, which enhances the opportunities available to UCR graduates.

For faculty and researchers, the recognition highlights the impact of their contributions in advancing knowledge and addressing critical issues across disciplines. Strong performance in research output and influence is evidence of UCR’s growing role as a research powerhouse, where innovation and discovery are central to its mission.

UC Riverside’s consistent placement in the top 1.3% reflects a broader story of success, one that combines high-quality teaching, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to serving diverse communities. By continuing to excel in each of the CWUR’s categories, UCR is not only improving its own standing but also strengthening the reputation of the University of California system and demonstrating the global reach of its impact.

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Top Ranking: UCR Business Graduate Program Surges

ilseu — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:09:18 +0000

Top Ranking: UCR Business Graduate Program Surges ilseu Tue, 04/09/2024 - 17:09 More News John Warren and Kathleen Drake April 09, 2024

The UC Riverside School of Business’ Master of Business Administration (MBA) program ranked No. 90 on the U.S. News & World Report graduate school ranking released Tuesday, April 9. Though 506 accredited institutions were canvassed, only 124 U.S. graduate-level business programs provided sufficient information on post-graduation earnings and job placements to merit inclusion on the U.S. News list. Among public universities, UCR’s full-time MBA came in at No. 49, which places the School of Business in the top 50 for this category for 2024-2025. The school’s undergraduate program is ranked No. 70 in the nation in the current U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges, Undergraduate Business Program ranking.

“The school’s ascent in the rankings is a testament to its strategic initiatives, such as the expansion of its facilities and the enhancement of its academic offerings, which align with the evolving demands of the global business landscape,” said Rami Zwick, associate dean of graduate programs for the School of Business.

The rankings released this week are based in part on reputational surveys sent to more than 15,000 academics and industry professionals, including corporate recruiters. In the surveys, deans, program directors, and senior faculty are asked to judge the academic quality of a program.

In addition to the surveys, scoring factors selectivity — gauged by graduate exam test scores; undergraduate GPA, and acceptance rate.

About half of the score is based on a change this year that places greater emphasis on earnings — assessing post-graduate salaries by profession — and successful job placement. The revised job placement metric rewards business schools when their graduates get jobs quickly — either when they graduate or within three months of graduation.

Separately, the business school’s part-time MBA program was ranked No. 73, an increase of three positions from the past year. That ranking was among 269 universities.

In fall 2024, the School of Business will mark the 55th anniversary of its founding and the 30th anniversary of the A. Gary Anderson School of Management with the opening of a new 63,400-square-foot academic building.

U.S. News & World Report, the standard-bearer among college rankings, publishes its anticipated undergraduate rankings every fall. In the most recent rankings, released in fall 2023, UCR climbed 13 positions to No. 76 overall among U.S. private and public universities. UCR was ranked No. 2 nationally in social mobility, which considers the degree to which a university elevates its graduates to a higher standard of living.

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UCR Surges in U.S. News 2023 College Rankings

ilseu — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 23:20:25 +0000

UCR Surges in U.S. News 2023 College Rankings ilseu Mon, 09/18/2023 - 16:20 More Blog Posts John Warren | UCR News September 18, 2023

Once again, U.S. News & World Report has named UC Riverside the No. 2 university in the nation for social mobility. UCR also climbed 13 spots in the overall rankings, to No. 76 among the top 435 private and public universities.

This is the second consecutive year that UCR has been ranked No. 2 in social mobility among all universities – public and private. It is the fifth year that U.S. News has featured a breakout category for social mobility, which considers the degree to which a university elevates its low-income graduates to a higher standard of living. The first three years, UCR was ranked No. 1 in the nation among all universities.

“This year’s rankings are further validation that UCR is the model for what the university of tomorrow should be,” said Chancellor Kim Wilcox. “Making another leap in the national rankings in the same year UCR was invited to join the Association of American Universities is further proof that we are meeting the needs of today’s students and of society at large."

U.S. News released its 2023-2024 Best Colleges list on Monday, Sept. 18. U.S. News Best Colleges is the nation’s most-watched college rankings list.

In its social mobility ranking, U.S. News aggregates two factors that assess the graduation rates of students who receive the Pell Grant, typically awarded to families earning less than $65,000 per year. The factors are Pell Grant six-year graduation rates and Pell Grant graduation rate performance, which considers grant recipients’ graduation rates relative to non-Pell Grant recipients’ rates. More than 50% of UCR’s students receive a Pell Grant.

UCR climbed from No. 89 to No. 76 in this year’s overall rankings, and is No. 36 among public universities. In U.S. News’ scoring, graduation and retention rates account for 35% of a university’s ranking; institutional resources – which includes class size, faculty salaries, and alumni contributions, among other things – accounts for 33% of the ranking; academic reputation, 20%; student selectivity, 7%; total student indebtedness, 5%.

UCR moved up 16 spots to No. 25 in the “most innovative” subcategory, based on nominations from university presidents, provosts, and admissions deans.

UCR’s undergraduate School of Business program increased 16 positions from last year’s rankings, to No. 70, and the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering’s computer science program moved up two places to No. 56 in the nation. In a new category for undergraduate teaching, UCR’s School of Education ranked No. 62. Two other new rankings were for undergraduate psychology, with UCR No. 80, and undergraduate economics, No. 88.

In the overall list, Princeton was No. 1, MIT was No. 2, and Harvard and Stanford tied for No. 3. On the 2023-24 social mobility list, Cal State Long Beach was No. 1; last year it was ranked No. 3.

In the past few years, U.S. News has made major adjustments to its formula, to the benefit of categories in which UCR performs well. In 2019, social mobility was given greater overall weight, in addition to getting its own category. Acceptance rates were eliminated, and the weight afforded for standardized test scores and high school standing was reduced.

UCR Assistant Vice Chancellor for Institutional Research Scott Heil said UCR is likely to further climb in the U.S. News rankings as U.S. News places less value on high school standing and alumni giving. Also, Heil said, U.S. News will have to consider how to handle SAT and ACT scores – still factored in U.S. News’ current formula - in the coming years.

“With many institutions adopting or maintaining test-optional or test-blind admissions policies, data availability will likely continue to present a challenge for U.S. News’ standardized testing indicator,” Heil said.

Fall is college rankings season, with major publications across the U.S. publishing “best college” lists. It’s been another good season for UC Riverside, with Washington Monthly naming UCR No. 7 among 442 universities nationwide for Pell Grant student performance. Forbes magazine ranked UCR No. 31 among public universities, and the Princeton Review named UCR No. 23 on its Top 50 Best Value Colleges and No. 20 among public schools in its Making an Impact list.

In March, The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UCR No. 1 in the nation for retention rates among universities with at least-50% Pell undergraduates.

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Forbes: UCR No. 31 Public University in the U.S.

ilseu — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 22:20:47 +0000

Forbes: UCR No. 31 Public University in the U.S. ilseu Wed, 09/06/2023 - 15:20 More Blog Posts John Warren | UCR News August 31, 2023

UC Riverside is ranked as the No. 31 public university in the 2023 Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” rankings. This recognition marks an improvement of two positions from the 2022 Forbes rankings, reflecting the university’s ongoing upward trajectory in national recognition and institutional performance. UCR’s consistent climb in these rankings highlights its commitment to student success, academic excellence, and meaningful impact in higher education.

The methodology behind the Forbes list is comprehensive and data-driven, incorporating information from multiple sources to create a balanced picture of each institution’s value and performance. Data is drawn from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, as well as from databases such as Payscale, which provide insights into graduates’ long-term earnings. This reliance on outcomes-based data emphasizes not only the quality of education but also the return students receive on their investment in a degree.

According to Forbes, 20 percent of a university’s score is based on its graduates’ salaries, while another 15 percent is determined by graduates’ debt, capturing both the earning potential and financial burden of attending. Graduation rate contributes 15 percent to the score, reflecting institutional effectiveness in helping students complete their studies. Another 15 percent comes from return on investment, comparing cost and earnings against high school graduate earnings. Ten percent is based on student retention, highlighting the importance of maintaining student support and satisfaction, while 10 percent accounts for academic success measures. The final 15 percent of the score reflects a university’s representation in Forbes prestige lists, including Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes 400, Richest Self-Made Women, and Most Powerful Women.

In the overall rankings, which consider both private and public universities, UC Riverside is listed at No. 75 out of 500 institutions. This placement represents a nine-position improvement from the previous year, underscoring UCR’s expanding reputation and recognition on a national scale. For context, Princeton University led the 2023 Forbes rankings, followed by Yale University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and UC Berkeley, which rounded out the top five.

UCR’s recognition this year was not limited to Forbes. In the same week, Washington Monthly released its annual college rankings, placing UC Riverside at No. 33 among public universities nationwide. Even more notably, Washington Monthly ranked UCR No. 7 among 442 universities nationwide in Pell Grant student performance, affirming UCR’s strong commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students. This performance reflects the university’s mission to promote access, equity, and opportunity, particularly for historically underrepresented student populations.

Separately, the Princeton Review released its annual list of best colleges, where UCR earned recognition across several categories. The university ranked No. 11 in the nation for financial aid, highlighting its efforts to ensure affordability for students. UCR also ranked No. 20 for making a public impact, showcasing the institution’s contributions beyond the classroom to local and global communities. Additionally, the university earned a No. 23 ranking for best value, further emphasizing its combination of affordability, quality, and impact.

Looking ahead, the U.S. News & World Report 2023 college rankings are set to be released in mid-September. For four consecutive years, U.S. News has ranked UC Riverside the No. 1 public university in the nation for social mobility, a distinction that demonstrates UCR’s ability to help students from all backgrounds achieve academic and professional success.

For the complete list of Forbes rankings and additional details about the methodology, visit the Forbes website.

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UCR Ranked "Best Value" and "Best West"

ilseu — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:50:07 +0000

UCR Ranked "Best Value" and "Best West" ilseu Wed, 08/23/2023 - 11:50 More Blog Posts Imran Ghori | UCR News August 18, 2023

UC Riverside was named as one of the top academic institutions and best values for students by the Princeton Review in its latest rankings. The recognition continues UCR’s growing reputation for academic excellence, affordability, and student success. The university earned top rankings from the Princeton Review for the fourth consecutive year, a consistency that underscores its ongoing commitment to providing both high-quality education and meaningful opportunities for students.

UCR is included in both its Best Colleges for 2024 unranked list and the 2024 edition of its related guidebook “Best 389 Colleges.” Being included in this guidebook is a significant honor, as only 15% of America’s four-year colleges and universities are featured in the book. The inclusion highlights UCR’s ability to provide students with an experience that blends strong academics, vibrant campus life, and opportunities for growth both inside and outside the classroom.

In addition to being listed among the nation’s best, UCR also made the Best West list. This unranked grouping includes 79 colleges in the western region of the United States that are considered academically outstanding. The presence of UCR on this list shows that the university is recognized not only at the national level but also regionally, where it competes with other top institutions for academic distinction and student outcomes.

The Princeton Review also created rankings for several topic-specific categories, and UCR performed strongly across these measures. The campus was ranked No. 23 in the Top 50 Best Value Colleges and No. 20 in the Top 20 Best Schools for Making an Impact among public schools. These rankings are particularly meaningful because they are tied directly to affordability, return on investment, and the lived experiences of students.

This is the fourth year in a row that the Princeton Review has featured UCR in its best value lists. The Best Value Colleges list includes institutions with exceptional academics, affordable costs, and strong career prospects for graduates. This combination ensures that students not only have access to a high-quality education, but they also graduate with the tools and resources needed to thrive in their chosen careers. The Making an Impact list, on the other hand, highlights colleges that encourage students to be active participants in their communities. Rankings are judged by student survey responses regarding community service opportunities, student government involvement, sustainability efforts, and overall student engagement on campus.

UCR was also recognized for its leadership in sustainability, landing at No. 27 in the Top 50 Green Colleges list. This placement demonstrates UCR’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and prioritize practices that protect resources for future generations. Sustainability has been an ongoing focus at the university, and this recognition from the Princeton Review validates the progress and dedication shown in this area.

Recognition was not limited to undergraduate programs. Earlier in January, the Princeton Review also included UCR’s School of Business in its Best Business Schools list. This further demonstrates the breadth of excellence at the university, where graduate and professional programs receive the same level of acknowledgment as undergraduate studies.

The rankings published by the Princeton Review are based on survey responses from more than 165,000 students attending the 389 colleges and universities profiled. This reliance on student feedback means the lists reflect genuine perspectives from those experiencing the institution firsthand, lending credibility to the results.

It is important to note that the Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. The Princeton Review is a nationally recognized tutoring, test preparation, and college admission services company. Its long history of compiling student-centered rankings makes its annual lists a trusted source for prospective students and families.

For UC Riverside, appearing consistently across multiple Princeton Review rankings highlights the university’s dedication to academic excellence, affordability, sustainability, and student engagement. The recognition reinforces UCR’s mission to provide access to education while maintaining high standards and creating opportunities for students to succeed well beyond graduation.

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UCR Gets 4.5 Out of 5 Stars from Money Magazine

ilseu — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 16:28:13 +0000

UCR Gets 4.5 Out of 5 Stars from Money Magazine ilseu Fri, 06/23/2023 - 09:28 More Blog Posts John Warren | UCR News June 22, 2023

UC Riverside achieved a 4.5 out of 5-star rating in Money magazine’s Best Colleges in America 2023 rankings, released June 22. This recognition highlights the university’s ongoing commitment to providing a high-quality education that is both accessible and impactful for a diverse student population.

Money magazine overhauled its college rankings system in 2023. In past years, the magazine published a numbered list of institutions, but the latest methodology uses a “star” system to evaluate performance, with five stars representing the highest level of achievement. Under the previous system, UC Riverside was ranked No. 40 in the 2022 edition of Money’s “Best Value Colleges.” The move to a stars-based approach allows for a broader recognition of universities across multiple performance categories rather than limiting them to a single number on a list.

The Best Colleges 2023 methodology is based on three primary categories: quality of education, affordability, and outcomes. Each of these categories contains several subcategories designed to provide a comprehensive view of a university’s performance. Quality of education accounts for factors such as graduation rates, standardized test scores, student-to-faculty ratios, and yield rates. Affordability measures the net cost to students, the amount of debt they incur, and their ability to repay that debt after graduation. Outcomes examine the long-term results of a college education, including post-graduation earnings and career stability.

UC Riverside performed strongly across these measures. Money’s editors praised UCR’s economically diverse student body and its ability to provide impressive outcomes for graduates. The publication highlighted UCR’s graduation rate of 79 percent and an average salary of $64,000 a decade after enrollment as indicators of the institution’s success. These results underscore UCR’s role as a leader in higher education, especially in creating opportunities for students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

On Money’s 2023 list of 736 four-year colleges, only 34 universities earned a perfect 5-star rating, while 190 institutions, including UC Riverside, received a 4.5-star rating. This places UCR among the top tier of universities nationwide in terms of quality, affordability, and outcomes.

The 2023 recognition builds upon a pattern of success for UC Riverside in national rankings. In recent years, UCR has consistently been acknowledged for its achievements in social mobility, affordability, and student success. Earlier this year, UCR received an invitation to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, a reflection of its growing reputation as a research powerhouse and its increasing national profile.

UCR has also excelled in rankings related to Pell Grant recipients. In March, The Chronicle of Higher Education named UC Riverside No. 1 in the nation for retention rates among Pell-recipient freshmen. Washington Monthly ranked UCR No. 4 among 444 universities nationwide for Pell Grant student performance in fall 2022. Additionally, Forbes ranked UCR the No. 33 public university in the nation during the same period.

Perhaps the most high-profile recognition has been UC Riverside’s four consecutive years as the nation’s top public university for social mobility, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report. The social mobility category specifically measures how effectively a university helps students from low-income families graduate and improve their economic standing. UCR’s leadership in this category underscores its mission to provide opportunities that elevate students and their communities, reinforcing its role as one of the most impactful institutions of higher education in the United States.

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UCR is No. 9 Public University for Sustainability

clin246 — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 23:48:03 +0000

UCR is No. 9 Public University for Sustainability clin246 Wed, 11/02/2022 - 16:48 More Blog Posts Imran Ghori | UCR News October 31, 2022

UC Riverside is ranked No. 9 among public universities in the Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges.

The campus was No. 27 on the overall list of Top 50 Green Colleges, released Oct. 25. This annual list recognizes institutions for superb sustainability practices, strong foundations in sustainability education, and a healthy quality of life for students on campus. The recognition reflects years of effort from students, faculty, and staff who continue to advocate for greener operations, academic programs centered on sustainability, and opportunities for students to live and learn in an environmentally responsible community.

The Princeton Review chose its schools based on data from surveys of administrators at 713 colleges during the 2021–22 academic year as well as surveys of students attending those institutions. These surveys looked at everything from how schools manage their waste to how deeply sustainability is embedded in the curriculum. The top 50 schools’ shared practices included high percentages of purchasing from local sources and organic vendors, diverting waste from incinerators and landfills, offering sustainability-focused degrees, and maintaining a dedicated sustainability officer on campus.

UC Riverside’s inclusion on the list highlights the campus’s wide range of environmentally conscious programs. Fortino Morales, UCR’s sustainability officer, explained that the campus has a strong Sustainability Committee made up of students, staff, and faculty who collaborate to promote environmentally friendly practices. This committee provides oversight and direction, ensuring that campus efforts reflect both immediate goals and long-term sustainability priorities.

Among the initiatives already in place are alternative transportation programs such as free bus passes for students and employees, vanpool programs that reduce the number of cars on the road, and hybrid work schedules designed to cut down on daily commuting. Together, these programs lessen traffic congestion, improve air quality, and help reduce the university’s carbon footprint. Morales emphasized that the impact extends beyond campus, benefiting the broader community by lowering greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging cleaner, healthier regional air.

“We’re extremely proud of all the work the campus has done recently to achieve this ranking and to further campus sustainability initiatives in our academics, operations, and campus life,” Morales said. “All of these programs help reduce our campus carbon footprint and contribute to a healthier region overall. We look forward to making the campus even more sustainable in the coming years.”

The recognition also aligns with national trends in how students evaluate universities. An overwhelming majority of students who participated in the Princeton Review’s surveys reported that a college’s commitment to the environment and green practices influences their decision to apply to or attend the school. Rob Franek, editor-in-chief of the Princeton Review, reinforced this point by stating: “We are proud to shine a light on these schools and to continue serving as a unique resource for students who want their ‘best-fit’ college to also ideally be a green one. We highly recommend each and every one of the colleges in our guide.”

The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University. The Princeton Review is a tutoring, test preparation, and college admission services company. Its annual Guide to Green Colleges remains one of the most widely referenced resources for students who want to understand how sustainability is prioritized at universities across the nation. For UC Riverside, being ranked highly in this guide not only recognizes the achievements of the campus community but also reaffirms its commitment to building a future where sustainability is central to education, daily operations, and student life.

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