UC Riverside is ranked as the No. 31 public university in the 2023 Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” rankings. This recognition marks an improvement of two positions from the 2022 Forbes rankings, reflecting the university’s ongoing upward trajectory in national recognition and institutional performance. UCR’s consistent climb in these rankings highlights its commitment to student success, academic excellence, and meaningful impact in higher education.
The methodology behind the Forbes list is comprehensive and data-driven, incorporating information from multiple sources to create a balanced picture of each institution’s value and performance. Data is drawn from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, as well as from databases such as Payscale, which provide insights into graduates’ long-term earnings. This reliance on outcomes-based data emphasizes not only the quality of education but also the return students receive on their investment in a degree.
According to Forbes, 20 percent of a university’s score is based on its graduates’ salaries, while another 15 percent is determined by graduates’ debt, capturing both the earning potential and financial burden of attending. Graduation rate contributes 15 percent to the score, reflecting institutional effectiveness in helping students complete their studies. Another 15 percent comes from return on investment, comparing cost and earnings against high school graduate earnings. Ten percent is based on student retention, highlighting the importance of maintaining student support and satisfaction, while 10 percent accounts for academic success measures. The final 15 percent of the score reflects a university’s representation in Forbes prestige lists, including Forbes 30 Under 30, Forbes 400, Richest Self-Made Women, and Most Powerful Women.
In the overall rankings, which consider both private and public universities, UC Riverside is listed at No. 75 out of 500 institutions. This placement represents a nine-position improvement from the previous year, underscoring UCR’s expanding reputation and recognition on a national scale. For context, Princeton University led the 2023 Forbes rankings, followed by Yale University, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and UC Berkeley, which rounded out the top five.
UCR’s recognition this year was not limited to Forbes. In the same week, Washington Monthly released its annual college rankings, placing UC Riverside at No. 33 among public universities nationwide. Even more notably, Washington Monthly ranked UCR No. 7 among 442 universities nationwide in Pell Grant student performance, affirming UCR’s strong commitment to serving first-generation and low-income students. This performance reflects the university’s mission to promote access, equity, and opportunity, particularly for historically underrepresented student populations.
Separately, the Princeton Review released its annual list of best colleges, where UCR earned recognition across several categories. The university ranked No. 11 in the nation for financial aid, highlighting its efforts to ensure affordability for students. UCR also ranked No. 20 for making a public impact, showcasing the institution’s contributions beyond the classroom to local and global communities. Additionally, the university earned a No. 23 ranking for best value, further emphasizing its combination of affordability, quality, and impact.
Looking ahead, the U.S. News & World Report 2023 college rankings are set to be released in mid-September. For four consecutive years, U.S. News has ranked UC Riverside the No. 1 public university in the nation for social mobility, a distinction that demonstrates UCR’s ability to help students from all backgrounds achieve academic and professional success.
For the complete list of Forbes rankings and additional details about the methodology, visit the Forbes website.