The university also remains a standout in the social sciences, with its economics program securing a place among the nation’s top 20. Housed in the School of Social Sciences, the program is ranked No. 19 overall and No. 4 among public universities. The undergraduate psychology program also ranked No. 22. overall and No. 8 among public universities.

As climate change drives more frequent and intense natural disasters, UC San Diego economists are offering timely insights into the impact of wildfires on the homeowners insurance market. A new working paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research explores how insurance companies are responding to heightened climate risks, particularly in California, the largest insurance market in the nation and the fourth largest globally. Co-author Judson Boomhower, an assistant professor of economics at UC San Diego and faculty research fellow at NBER, explains that the research highlights the crucial role of information gaps in shaping the pricing and availability of insurance for wildfires and other climate-related risks.

UC San Diego, a leader in both innovation and social mobility, continues to implement transformative programs that are shaping the future of education. Ranked as the No. 22 Most Innovative School in the nation in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, the university will soon be home to the largest lithium-ion battery system on any university campus in the country. The university—which is powered by a world-class microgrid that delivers clean, reliable energy for electricity, heating, and cooling—was recently awarded $7.15 million by the California Energy Commission to replace a decade-old battery with a new system rated at 10 MW/40 MWh, capable of powering 7,500 homes for four hours.

UC San Diego, along with partners Thermo Fisher Scientific and Nikon Instruments, has also officially opened the Goeddel Family Technology Sandbox, a hub that brings together cutting-edge instruments for science and education. The facility will spur unprecedented collaboration by enabling scientists across campus to access advanced technologies for their research. It will also serve as a hub for industry collaborations as well as training courses and technology-based classes.

To view the full U.S. News & World Report 2025 Best Colleges rankings, visit the outlet’s website. For a listing of UC San Diego rankings, visit the Campus Profile.