The University of California, Davis has been recognized in three national rankings for its research efforts, affordability, and contributions to social mobility.
Forbes included UC Davis among its Top 25 Public Colleges in the United States in rankings released on August 26. According to Forbes, UC Davis students graduate with a median debt of $11,000, which is the lowest among the public universities highlighted by the magazine.
In another ranking, Washington Monthly’s 2025 College Guide placed UC Davis 12th among public universities and 23rd overall for research. The new research category introduced by Washington Monthly assessed universities that spend at least $100 million annually on research using four measures: total research spending, science and engineering doctoral degrees awarded, faculty receiving major national awards, and the proportion of faculty elected to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The editors explained their reasoning for creating this category: “We wanted to illuminate the incredible benefits that America’s research universities provide to the country at large, and to the states and regions where they’re located — and the unfathomable damage these cuts are likely to bring.”
UC Davis was also ranked 16th among public universities and 35th overall on Washington Monthly’s list of Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars. This list evaluates schools based on their contribution to access, affordability, outcomes, and promotion of public service.
Additionally, UC Davis placed 14th among public institutions and 21st overall in Washington Monthly’s Best Bank for the Buck Rankings: West. This ranking considers how well schools help students from less wealthy backgrounds obtain marketable degrees at affordable prices.
Princeton Review recognized UC Davis in its publication “The Best 391 Colleges: 2026 Edition,” which was released August 12. Among public universities listed by Princeton Review:
– UC Davis ranked sixth in Top 20 Best Schools for Making an Impact
– Fourteenth for Top 20 Best Career Placement
– Twenty-fifth among Top 50 Best Value Colleges
UC Davis also appeared on Princeton Review’s unranked lists including Best Value Colleges, Green Colleges, and Best West Colleges.
The university noted that while it performs self-evaluations and values third-party assessments like these rankings—which often reflect its focus on serving the public good—ranking methodologies can vary over time. As stated by campus officials: “UC Davis focuses on those rankings that most closely align with its mission and values — including serving the public good, inclusiveness and equity, and social mobility — and in national rankings looks most closely at its standing among public universities.” They encourage prospective students to consider a variety of factors when making college decisions.
