UC Berkeley Tops U.S. News as Nation’s No. 1 Public University
BERKELEY, CA — June 19, 2025 The University of California, Berkeley has once again earned the distinction of being the top public university in the United States, according to the 2024–25 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Among nearly 1,500 bachelor’s-degree institutions assessed this year, Berkeley claimed the No. 2 position overall in the public university category and was ranked 17th among all national universities.
This marks the 15th time in the past 20 years that Berkeley has secured a top-two placement among U.S. public universities—a testament to its sustained excellence in areas such as academics, research output, and social mobility . Additionally, the university achieved top-five status in 28 of the 44 subject-specific rankings, with standout programs in entrepreneurship and psychology .
The Princeton Review and Wall Street Journal have similarly recognized Berkeley as the nation’s leading public institution, with Forbes and Times Higher Education also ranking it at or near the top across various criteria. UC Berkeley’s scores reflect strong performance in key metrics including graduation rates, faculty resources, research influence, manageable student debt, and post-graduate success.
Berkeley’s enduring reputation extends beyond national acclaim: its overall global ranking has vaulted to No. 5 in the 2024–25 U.S. News Global list, underscoring its role as a major international research hub. Supporting these achievements is a robust academic environment—spanning award‑winning faculty, world‑class graduate and undergraduate programs, and prolific research activity.
With its consistent elite placement, UC Berkeley continues to lead as a flagship of public higher education in the United States—and a prestigious institution on the global stage.The University of California, Berkeley has once again earned the distinction of being the top public university in the United States, according to the 2024–25 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Among nearly 1,500 bachelor’s-degree institutions assessed this year, Berkeley claimed the No. 2 position overall in the public university category and was ranked 17th among all national universities.
This marks the 15th time in the past 20 years that Berkeley has secured a top-two placement among U.S. public universities—a testament to its sustained excellence in areas such as academics, research output, and social mobility . Additionally, the university achieved top-five status in 28 of the 44 subject-specific rankings, with standout programs in entrepreneurship and psychology.
The Princeton Review and Wall Street Journal have similarly recognized Berkeley as the nation’s leading public institution, with Forbes and Times Higher Education also ranking it at or near the top across various criteria. UC Berkeley’s scores reflect strong performance in key metrics including graduation rates, faculty resources, research influence, manageable student debt, and post-graduate success.
Berkeley’s enduring reputation extends beyond national acclaim: its overall global ranking has vaulted to No. 5 in the 2024–25 U.S. News Global list, underscoring its role as a major international research hub. Supporting these achievements is a robust academic environment—spanning award‑winning faculty, world‑class graduate and undergraduate programs, and prolific research activity.
With its consistent elite placement, UC Berkeley continues to lead as a flagship of public higher education in the United States—and a prestigious institution on the global stage.
*Sources:
*https://news.berkeley.edu/2025/06/18/uc-berkeley-ranked-nations-top-public-university-by-u-s-news/