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University of California-San Diego Ranking Badges

UCSD earned 207 ranking badges in the 2027 College Factual rankings: 24 in the top 1%, 70 in the top 5%, 64 in the top 10% and 49 in the top 15% of the schools in each ranking. Its highest placement is #1 of 1,833 in Most Popular for Biological & Biomedical Sciences, a top 1% award.

Key facts

• Badges earned: 207 (2027 edition)
• In the top 1% / top 5%: 24 / 70
• Highest placement: #1 of 1,833, a top 1% award
• Fields of study with a badge: 20
• Placements this edition: 483
• Badge cutoff: a top 15% placement in a ranking

Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.

How Many Ranking Badges Has University of California-San Diego Earned?

University of California-San Diego holds 207 ranking badges across 20 fields of study, 94 of them in the top 5% or better; each badge is an award for placing in the top 15% of a ranking. Each ranking is recalculated when updated data becomes available. These badges come from the 2027 edition. Each row marks the highest award tier reached in that ranking. Read about our data sources and methodologies. To use these badges in your college’s communications, administrators can contact us.

Count by Award Level

Award Level	Badges
Top 1%	24
Top 5%	70
Top 10%	64
Top 15%	49
Total	207

What Is University of California-San Diego Known For?

University of California-San Diego is best known for Engineering: 30 of its 198 traditional-student awards are in that field. Its top-ranked majors include Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences, Cognitive Science and International Studies.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Best			✓
Overall Best (Far Western)			✓
Overall Best (California)			✓
Best for the Money		✓
Best for the Money (Far Western)	✓
Best for the Money (California)	✓
Overall Diversity	✓
Overall Diversity (California)	✓
Male / Female Diversity		✓
Male / Female Diversity (Far Western)		✓
Male / Female Diversity (California)		✓
Ethnic Diversity			✓
Ethnic Diversity (Far Western)	✓
Ethnic Diversity (California)	✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Popular (Far Western)				✓
Most Popular (California)				✓

Architecture/Urban Planning

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Best Value	✓
Real Estate Development
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular		✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular				✓
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular				✓
Biomathematics & Bioinformatics
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓
Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused			✓
Ecology & Systematics Biology
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
General Biology
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular				✓
Microbiology Science & Immunology
Best Value			✓
Most Popular		✓
Neurobiology & Neurosciences
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular			✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Focused	✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Computer Information Systems
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Information Technology
Top Ranked			✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
General Education
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular		✓
Teacher Education Subject Specific
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Aeronautical Engineering
Best Value		✓
Biomedical Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular				✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Most Focused	✓
Chemical Engineering
Best Value		✓
Most Popular		✓
Civil Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
Computer Engineering
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular			✓
Highest Paid Graduates			✓
Electrical Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
Engineering Physics
Best Value		✓
Most Popular	✓
Engineering Science
Top Ranked		✓
Materials Engineering
Best Value		✓
Mechanical Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
Other Engineering
Best Value		✓
Most Popular	✓
Systems Engineering
Best Value		✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Other English Literature
Most Popular			✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular	✓
Area Studies
Best Value		✓

Family, Consumer & Human Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Child Development & Family Studies
Top Ranked				✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked				✓
Best Value		✓
Medical Science
Best Value		✓
Most Popular		✓
Medicine
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Pharmacy/Pharmaceutical Sciences
Best Value			✓
Public Health
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓
History
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular				✓
Applied Mathematics
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓
Mathematics
Most Popular				✓
Statistics
Best Value	✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular				✓
Cognitive Science
Best Value		✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused				✓
Computational Science
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value			✓
Data Science.
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular		✓
International Studies
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular				✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
Most Focused			✓
Mathematics & Computer Science
Best Value		✓
Most Popular				✓
Most Focused	✓
Other Interdisciplinary Studies
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular	✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value		✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Philosophy
Most Popular		✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular				✓
Atmospheric Sciences
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value		✓
Chemistry
Most Popular				✓
Geological & Earth Sciences
Best Value	✓
Most Popular				✓
Physics
Most Popular			✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
Child Development & Psychology
Best Value			✓
Most Popular	✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value		✓
Most Popular			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓
Other Psychology
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value			✓
Most Popular			✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular			✓
Anthropology
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓
Economics
Most Popular		✓
International Relations & Security
Best Value			✓
Most Popular		✓
Other Social Sciences
Best Value			✓
Most Popular			✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Most Popular				✓
Sociology
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Urban Studies
Most Popular			✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Design & Applied Arts
Top Ranked		✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Most Popular			✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked	✓
General Visual & Performing Arts
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Music
Top Ranked			✓

How Does University of California-San Diego Rank in Athletics?

In College Factual’s 2027 athletics rankings, University of California-San Diego earned 6 badges across 6 sports, 1 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #7 of 162 in Swimming & Diving.

Men’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Baseball	✓
Basketball	✓
Soccer	✓
Swimming & Diving			✓
Volleyball		✓

Women’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Softball		✓

How Does University of California-San Diego Rank for Online Students?

University of California-San Diego earned no online-program badge in the 2027 edition; its highest placement in College Factual’s online-program rankings is #8 of 34 in Most Popular Online for Data Science. (top 24%).

How Does University of California-San Diego Rank for Veterans?

In College Factual’s 2027 veterans rankings, University of California-San Diego earned 3 badges; its highest placement is #344 of 4,939 in Best for Veterans.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Best for Veterans		✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Other Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans	✓

Continue Your Research on UCSD

• All rankings for UCSD
• UCSD overview
• Best Colleges ranking
• UCSD official website
• UCSD on Wikipedia
• UCSD on Twitter
• UCSD on Facebook

Notes and References

These rankings are grounded in U.S. Department of Education data, 2027 edition. University of California-San Diego appears in 483 of the College Factual rankings covered on this page.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.