West LA Times

UCLA has once again been recognized as the nation's top public university by U.S. News & World Report, securing the No. 1 spot for the eighth consecutive year in the 2025 “Best Colleges” list. The university also ranks highest in social mobility among the nation’s top 25 universities and continues to be named the No. 1 public university for military veterans.

"This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, resilience and ingenuity of UCLA’s students, faculty, staff and alumni," said Interim Chancellor Hunt. "With our firm commitment to inclusive excellence, UCLA is continuing to redefine what it means to be a great public institution."

The rankings are based on 17 measures of academic quality including graduation and retention rates, class size, average federal loan debt of graduates, and academic reputation as assessed by other chancellors, presidents, provosts and admissions deans at colleges throughout the U.S.

Among the top 25 national universities — both public and private — UCLA ranked highest in social mobility. This metric looks at the academic success of diverse students, particularly first-generation students and those from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds who make up nearly one-third of undergraduates at UCLA. These students graduate at rates comparable to UCLA's overall graduation rate which exceeds 90%. Most students complete their education without debt.

For newly admitted first-year student Neilani Maximo from Gardena, choosing UCLA felt right from her initial visit during a Black student admit event last spring. "I just felt really welcomed," she said. "And I knew it was the No. 1 public university." Her mother Lily expressed pride in her daughter's achievements saying: "I think she’ll have a great experience."

Damian Ojeda, a second-year biochemistry and public affairs student from California’s Central Valley who aims to become a surgeon, found comfort in UCLA's diversity and its research initiatives which helped him feel at home. Ojeda recently completed an intensive summer research project through UCLA's Undergraduate Research Center–Sciences studying hypertension proteins.

"We want to make UCLA the most impactful university," Hunt added. "We often talk about being a great research university... But we really aspire to be the most impactful — to have the greatest positive influence on the real world."

Providing comprehensive resources for military-connected students has long been a priority for UCLA which serves approximately 400 veterans and active-duty service members along with their families through more than 100 programs aimed at helping them succeed academically and personally.

As part of this year's U.S. News rankings across several academic programs: psychology; economics; computer science; engineering; teaching; nursing were highlighted where UCLA placed within top ten public universities.

Fourth-year applied math major Francisco Turrubiartes Campos praised his school stating: "It’s more than just an academically rigorous school... it’s also community." He added that he believes they should hold onto their No.1 ranking every year.

In addition to UCLA topping this list four other University Of California campuses featured among top ten publics namely UC Berkeley (No2), UC San Diego(6) followed by UC Davis & Irvine(tied ninth).

Finally tied with Dartmouth College -UCLA stood fifteenth amongst all national universities same position held last year