Rankings and Recognition

National Recognitions

Nationally recognized for excellence and opportunity, UC Irvine earned early distinction when The New York Times named it the top university “doing the most for the American dream,” highlighting our commitment to access and student success.

• Top 10 public university in the U.S. for 11th year in a row - U.S. News & World Report
• Top 10 public university in the U.S. - Forbes
• Top 5 Best Value Public University in the U.S. - Princeton Review
• Designated as a Research 1 and Opportunity University in 2025 - Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
• #3 in the nation for diversity – The Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education ‘2022 College Rankings
• Recognized for value, outcomes with Money’s 5-star rating
• 1 of 71 leading research universities elected into the prestigious Association of American Universities
• Three UC Irvine faculty members, one postdoctoral scholar and one alumnus have received Nobel Prizes. Our laureates are David MacMillan Ph.D. ’96, Mario Molina, F. Sherwood Rowland, Irwin A. Rose and Frederick Reines.
• UC Irvine is federally designated as both an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution
• Top choice among in-state, first-generation UC applicants for six consecutive years

Other Recognitions

• Top-rated public university in California for economic diversity – The New York Times’ College Access Index.
• Top choice among in-state, first-generation UC applicants for six consecutive years.
• 1st U.S. university to fully convert its diesel shuttle fleet to all-electric.
• UCI Health is making history with the nation's first all-electric, zero-emission acute care hospital.
• 33 LEED-certified buildings – 22 Platinum and 11 Gold – the most of any campus nationwide.
• Recognized by Sierra magazine as the nation’s top “Cool School” for 12 consecutive years.
• Ranked No. 3 among doctorate-granting universities for sustainability leadership by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.