UCLA and UC Berkeley tie for top public university spot in 2027 U.S. News rankings

Key points

• UCLA and UC Berkeley are tied for the No. 1 public university ranking in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges list.
• UCLA returns to the top spot after dropping to second place in the previous year’s rankings.
• Five University of California campuses rank in the top 10 public universities, including UC San Diego at No. 6 and UC Davis and UC Irvine tied at No. 8.
• UC Riverside ranks No. 1 in social mobility, while UC Berkeley and UCLA tie for No. 6 in the Best Colleges for Veterans category.
• Berkeley’s economics and data analytics programs are ranked No. 1 nationally, while UCLA’s psychology and computer science programs are among the top 10 public offerings.

Background

UCLA previously held the No. 1 public university title for eight consecutive years before losing it in the 2026 rankings. The drop followed a federal freeze of $584 million in research grants in July 2025, which was later restored by a federal judge. In the 2026 cycle, UCLA fell to No. 20 in the overall national universities ranking, tying with UC Berkeley and the University of Notre Dame. This year’s 2027 rankings see both schools tied at No. 20 in the overall national category while sharing the top public spot.

How outlets are covering it

UCLA Media Relations and UC Berkeley Media Relations did not provide immediate comments to the Daily Bruin, but both institutions issued official statements celebrating the tie. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk emphasized the university’s commitment to expanding opportunity and serving society, noting that the ranking reflects the work of the entire community. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons highlighted the institution’s promise to prepare leaders and advance discoveries, framing the ranking as a testament to daily efforts by students and faculty. The University of California system leadership, represented by President James B. Milliken, framed the results as evidence of the system’s global leadership, pointing out that all nine undergraduate campuses ranked in the top 50 public universities and that UC Riverside leads in social mobility. While the Daily Bruin focused on UCLA’s return to the top after the previous year’s drop, the UC system press release emphasized the collective strength of the entire network, noting that a UC campus has held the No. 1 public spot every year since 1999.

Why it matters

The rankings influence prospective student enrollment, research funding, and institutional prestige. The tie between UCLA and Berkeley underscores the competitive dynamic within the University of California system and highlights the resilience of these institutions following recent federal funding disruptions. Strong performance in social mobility and veteran support indicates that these universities are effectively serving diverse and economically disadvantaged populations, which is a key metric for policymakers and donors.

What to watch

The 2027 rankings will be used by prospective students and families in the upcoming admissions cycle. Institutions may use these results to benchmark performance and adjust strategic initiatives. Future rankings will depend on continued performance in graduation rates, research output, and social mobility metrics. The University of California system may leverage these results in recruitment and fundraising efforts.