Los Angeles, California – The University of California, Los Angeles was designated the No. 1 public university in the United States, sharing the top position with the University of California, Berkeley, in the latest U.S. News & World Report national university rankings released on September 21, 2026.
The joint ranking places both UCLA and UC Berkeley at the summit of public higher‑education institutions nationwide. U.S. News & World Report cited a combination of measured factors in assigning the ranking, including each school’s graduation rate, the breadth and quality of faculty resources, overall academic performance, and additional criteria used in the annual assessment.
UCLA’s placement reflects its performance across these metrics, aligning it with its fellow state university in a historic tie for the highest public‑institution rank. The ranking, which evaluates more than 1,500 colleges and universities across the country, is released each year and is widely referenced by prospective students, educators, and policymakers.
The tie underscores the competitive standing of the University of California system’s flagship campuses. Both institutions have consistently ranked near the top of public university lists in recent years, and the current result marks the first time they have been listed as co‑leaders in the U.S. News & World Report’s overall public‑university category.
U.S. News & World Report’s methodology emphasizes outcomes such as student completion rates and faculty‑to‑student ratios, as well as indicators of academic reputation and research activity. By meeting or exceeding benchmarks in these areas, UCLA earned its place alongside UC Berkeley at the pinnacle of public higher education for 2026.
The announcement arrives as both campuses continue to attract a diverse body of students and faculty, reinforcing their roles as leading research and teaching institutions within California and across the nation.