UC Riverside is the No. 33 public university in a college ranking from Forbes magazine. UCR was among several UC campuses and 17 public universities in the top 50, a recognition that reflects the university’s steady progress in delivering affordable, high-quality education to a diverse student body.
The methodology for the Forbes list relies on data from two federal databases, the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS, and the College Scorecard, as well as several additional databases that evaluate graduates’ long-term earnings. By analyzing both cost and outcomes, the Forbes ranking aims to provide prospective students and families with a clearer picture of which universities offer the strongest return on investment.
“Forbes top colleges ranking spotlights schools that offer an excellent education at a great price, graduate high-earners and propel students to become successful entrepreneurs and influential leaders in their fields,” the editors wrote in the introduction to this year’s Forbes Top Colleges ranking, released Aug. 30.
Schools earned high placement if their students graduated on time, secured strong salaries after graduation, carried relatively low levels of debt, and went on to have successful careers. In 2021, Forbes updated its methodology to better capture alumni outcomes, particularly by refining how salaries are measured and by adding a metric to determine how quickly graduates are able to pay off the cost of college. The updated approach also incorporated a closer look at how well institutions serve low-income students, highlighting universities that provide equitable opportunities.
According to Forbes, twenty percent of a university’s score is based on graduates’ salaries; 15% on graduates’ debt; 15% on graduation rate; 15% on Return on Investment, which gauges cost-vs.-earnings compared to high school graduates; 10% on student retention; 10% on academic success, and 15% on inclusion in Forbes’ various prestige lists, such as Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes 400, Richest Self-Made Women, and Most Powerful Women.
UC Riverside is No. 84 overall among the 500 private and public universities considered for the Forbes list. MIT led this year’s list, with UC Berkeley and Stanford tied for No. 2, underscoring the competitiveness of the ranking. UCR’s placement alongside other top-tier institutions emphasizes the university’s growing national reputation.
Recognition from Forbes is only one measure of UCR’s impact. This past week, Washington Monthly released its annual college rankings and placed UC Riverside No. 4 among 444 universities nationwide in its Pell Grant student performance. This ranking highlights UCR’s commitment to expanding access and ensuring that students from low-income backgrounds succeed at the same levels as their peers.
Separately, the Princeton Review recently released its annual best colleges list, with UCR earning high marks in financial aid (No. 11 in the U.S.), making a public impact (No. 20), and best value (No. 23). These rankings further validate the university’s efforts to support students academically, socially, and financially.
Looking ahead, the U.S. News & World Report 2022 college rankings — among the most closely watched nationally — are set for release this month. For three consecutive years, U.S. News has ranked UCR No. 1 in the nation for social mobility, a distinction that underscores the university’s leadership in helping students achieve life-changing upward mobility.
Taken together, these rankings demonstrate that UC Riverside is excelling in multiple dimensions: academic quality, affordability, alumni success, and social impact