UC Riverside is the No. 31 public university in the 2023 Forbes “America’s Top Colleges” rankings. The ranking is an improvement of two positions from the 2022 Forbes rankings. 

The methodology for the Forbes list relies on data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, as well as databases such as Payscale that gauge graduates’ earnings.  

Twenty percent of a university’s score is based on its 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, including Forbes 30 Under 30; Forbes 400; Richest Self-Made Women and Most Powerful Women.  

UCR is No. 75 overall among 500 private and public universities considered for the Forbes list, an increase of nine positions from last year. Princeton University led this year’s Forbes rankings, with Yale, Stanford, MIT, and UC Berkeley rounding out the top five.  

Also this week, Washington Monthly released its annual college rankings, placing UC Riverside No. 33 among public universities, and No. 7 among 442 universities nationwide in Pell Grant student performance. Separately, the Princeton Review recently released its annual best colleges list, with UCR earning high ranks in financial aid (No. 11 in the U.S.), making a public impact (No. 20), and best value (No. 23). 

The U.S. News & World Report 2023 college rankings are set for release in mid-September. For four consecutive years, U.S. News has ranked UCR the No. 1 public university in the nation for social mobility. 

For the complete list, visit the Forbes website.