Forbes Just Ranked America’s Best Public Colleges And California Nearly Took Over The List

College rankings can look completely different depending on what gets measured.

Shift the focus toward public universities, and one state starts showing up so often that the list begins to feel remarkably familiar.

The latest Forbes ranking gives several public colleges from the same state prominent positions, adding another interesting comparison for students weighing academics, career prospects, and value.

California did not quite take over the ranking, but its public universities made ignoring the state nearly impossible.

Of course, no national list can decide which campus will suit a particular student.

Size, location, programs, financial aid, and campus culture can matter just as much as where a school lands on somebody else’s scoreboard.

Still, having so many universities competing near the top says plenty about the depth of the state’s public higher education options.

1. UC Merced: No. 95 Public, The Young Rising Star

Some colleges come with centuries of history, but being newer can have its own advantages.

UC Merced opened in 2005 as the newest campus in the University of California system, giving students a modern university experience in a very different setting from the state’s biggest college cities.

Merced sits in California’s Central Valley, surrounded by farms and only a couple of hours from Yosemite National Park.

That means weekend hikes, starry skies, and a quieter pace than big city schools. If crowded lecture halls make you nervous, you might love the smaller, friendlier feel here.

UC Merced was built with the environment in mind, and many of its buildings earned top green ratings.

The campus even aims to use zero net energy, so students learn in a place that actually walks the talk about saving the planet.

Many students at Merced are the first in their families to go to college. Professors know this, and they often go out of their way to help students succeed.

That kind of support can make a big difference when classes get tough.

So what can you learn from Merced’s spot on the list? A newer school can still offer serious value.

When you build your own college list, do not skip a campus just because it lacks a long history. Sometimes the up-and-comer is exactly where you will shine brightest.

2. UC Riverside: No. 36 Public, Where Opportunity Grows

Orange you glad Riverside made the list? Sorry, I had to.

UC Riverside actually has deep roots in citrus research, and its famous Citrus Experiment Station helped shape California’s orange industry over a century ago.

Today, UCR ranks No. 36 among public colleges and No. 97 overall. That puts it inside the top 100 schools in the entire country, public and private combined.

Not bad for a campus that often flies under the radar compared to its flashier cousins.

What really makes Riverside special is how well it lifts students up. The school is known nationally for helping students from low-income families graduate and move into good jobs.

Rankings like Forbes care a lot about results after college, like earnings and debt, so that kind of success really counts.

The campus itself has a laid-back Inland Empire vibe. You will see palm trees, the tall Bell Tower, and the San Bernardino Mountains watching over everything.

Housing and living costs are usually lower than in coastal cities, which your wallet will thank you for.

Thinking about majors? UCR has strong programs in science, engineering, and even a medical school.

Students can join research projects early, sometimes as freshmen, which looks amazing on future job or grad school applications.

My advice for you is simple. Look beyond big names and ask which school will actually help you grow. For thousands of students, Riverside is the answer, and this ranking proves they chose wisely.

3. UC Santa Cruz: No. 26 Public, Redwoods And Big Ideas

Imagine walking to class under redwood trees taller than a 20-story building. Sounds like a fantasy movie, right? At UC Santa Cruz, it is just a normal Tuesday morning.

Forbes ranked UCSC No. 26 among public colleges and No. 80 overall. That is a strong showing for a school famous for doing things a little differently.

For years, professors gave written evaluations instead of letter grades, which tells you a lot about its creative spirit.

And yes, the mascot is a banana slug. A bright yellow, slimy, totally lovable banana slug. Students voted for it and proudly kept it, which kind of sums up the playful personality of this place.

Do not let the quirky side fool you, though. Santa Cruz is a powerhouse in science and technology.

Researchers there helped map the human genome, and its astronomy and marine biology programs are respected around the world.

The campus is split into residential colleges, each with its own theme and community.

That setup makes a big university feel smaller and cozier. You get your own little home base while still enjoying everything a large school offers.

Plus, the beach is right down the hill. Surfing between study sessions is a real thing here, not just a daydream.

If you love nature, enjoy thinking outside the box, and want a top-notch education, Santa Cruz deserves a spot on your list. Just be ready to cheer loudly for a slug.

4. UC Santa Barbara: No. 12 Public, Learning By The Ocean

Ask almost anyone to describe a dream college, and they will probably describe UC Santa Barbara without knowing it. The campus sits right on the Pacific Ocean, with sandy beaches basically in the backyard.

But here is the twist that surprises people. UCSB is not just pretty, it is seriously smart.

Forbes placed it at No. 12 among public colleges and No. 39 overall, making it one of six UC campuses in the national top 40.

Faculty at UCSB have won several Nobel Prizes, mostly in physics, chemistry, and economics.

Think about that for a second. You could take a class from someone who has won one of the biggest awards in the world, then watch the sunset over the waves an hour later.

Bikes rule this campus. Thousands of students pedal everywhere, and there are even bike roundabouts that can feel like a traffic puzzle on your first day.

Pro tip: practice your bike skills before move-in.

UCSB also shines in environmental science, engineering, and marine biology. Students often join research projects studying the ocean, climate, and new materials.

Hands-on experience like that can open doors to great careers.

Still, balance matters. With so much beach fun nearby, successful students learn to manage their time well.

Making a weekly schedule and sticking to it is a smart habit for any college, but especially one this tempting. Want brains and beaches in one package? Santa Barbara might be your perfect match.

5. UC Irvine: No. 11 Public, The Anteater Advantage

Peter the Anteater might be the cutest mascot in college sports, and now he has another reason to smile. UC Irvine landed at No. 11 among public colleges and No. 37 overall in the new Forbes rankings.

Fun history bit: the anteater mascot was inspired by a classic comic strip called B.C. Students picked it back in the 1960s, and the nickname stuck.

The famous cheer, Zot Zot Zot, comes from the sound the anteater made in that comic.

UCI’s campus has a neat design, too. The buildings form a giant circle around Aldrich Park, a huge green space in the middle.

From above, it looks a bit like a wheel, and it makes getting around surprisingly easy.

Located in sunny Orange County, Irvine is often called one of the safest cities in America. Beaches like Newport and Laguna are just a short drive away. It is a calm place to focus on your studies.

Academically, UCI is strong in computer science, health sciences, and gaming. It even has one of the first college esports programs with its own arena. If you love video games, that is pretty awesome.

UCI is also well known for helping first-generation students succeed. Ranking boosts like this one show that the school delivers real value.

Here is a tip for you: visit campuses in person if you can. Walking around Irvine’s circle might help you picture your future self there.

6. UC Davis: No. 10 Public, Top Ten And Proud of It

Cows, bikes, and brainpower. That might sound like a strange mix, but it is the perfect recipe at UC Davis, which just cracked the top ten public colleges at No. 10 and No. 36 overall.

Davis started as a farm school more than 100 years ago, and it still leads the world in agriculture and veterinary medicine. In fact, its vet school is often ranked the best on the planet.

Students can even visit a working dairy and see the famous fistulated cow, which has a window into its stomach for science.

The city of Davis is basically bike heaven. There are more bikes than cars in some spots, and the town proudly calls itself the Bicycle Capital of America.

Getting a sturdy bike and a good lock should be at the top of any new student’s shopping list.

Beyond farms and animals, Davis is excellent in engineering, biology, and environmental science.

The campus also hosts Picnic Day, a huge open house with parades, dachshund races, and science shows. It is one of the most fun traditions in the UC system.

Small-town charm is a big part of the appeal here. Downtown has cozy cafes, a weekly farmers market, and a friendly vibe. Sacramento is close by when you want a bigger city.

So if you want a top ten school without the stress of a giant city, Davis is calling. Moo-ve it up your list.

7. UC San Diego: No. 4 Public, Science By The Sea

Have you ever seen a library that looks like a spaceship?

Geisel Library at UC San Diego does, and it is named after Theodor Geisel. You probably know him better as Dr. Seuss, who lived nearby in La Jolla.

That mix of fun and science fits UCSD perfectly. Forbes named it the No. 4 public college in America and No. 22 overall, beating plenty of famous private schools along the way.

UCSD is a research giant. It runs the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, one of the oldest and most important ocean research centers in the world.

Scientists there have studied everything from climate change to deep-sea creatures you would never believe exist.

The school uses a college system, a bit like the houses in Harry Potter. Each of its undergraduate colleges has its own rules, classes, and personality.

Choosing one is part of the adventure when you apply.

Students here tend to love engineering, biology, computer science, and medicine. Many land research jobs or internships with nearby biotech companies.

San Diego is a hotspot for health and tech careers, so connections come naturally.

And let us not forget the setting. The campus sits on cliffs above the Pacific, with world-famous beaches and amazing weather almost all year.

Here is a smart move if science excites you. Look up research programs for high schoolers at schools like UCSD. Getting a head start can make college applications way stronger.

8. UCLA: No. 2 Public, Hollywood’s Hometown Heavyweight

Lights, camera, academics! UCLA sits just minutes from Hollywood, and it plays a starring role in the new Forbes rankings as the No. 2 public university in America and No. 12 overall.

Honestly, that should not shock anyone. UCLA gets more applications than almost any college in the country, often well over 100,000 a year.

That tells you how many students dream of wearing blue and gold.

Walk onto campus and you will spot Royce Hall, the red brick building with tall towers that shows up in movies and TV shows all the time.

The whole place feels a little bit famous. Even the campus grass seems camera-ready.

Sports fans, listen up. UCLA has won more NCAA team championships than nearly any other school, with legendary coach John Wooden leading its basketball dynasty.

The Bruin spirit runs deep, and game days are electric.

Academics are just as impressive. UCLA is a leader in medicine, film, psychology, engineering, and so much more.

With a huge city around it, students have endless chances for internships in entertainment, tech, and healthcare.

Food is another hidden perk. UCLA’s dining halls are regularly praised as some of the best in the nation. Yes, college food can actually be delicious.

Want a tip if UCLA is your goal? Start building your story early. Strong grades matter, but so do passions, leadership, and the unique things that make you, well, you.

9. UC Berkeley: No. 1 Public University in America

And the gold medal goes to… UC Berkeley!

Forbes crowned it the No. 1 public university in America, and it ranked No. 9 overall among every college in the country. That means Berkeley outshined loads of pricey private schools.

Founded in 1868, Berkeley is the oldest campus in the UC system. Its iconic clock tower, the Campanile, rises above campus and plays music several times a day.

From the top, you can see all the way to the Golden Gate Bridge on a clear day.

Berkeley researchers helped discover several elements on the periodic table, including berkelium and californium. Yes, the school literally put itself and its state into science textbooks.

The list of brainy achievements keeps going. Dozens of Nobel Prize winners have worked or studied there.

Graduates have started major tech companies, shaped laws, and changed how we understand the universe.

Berkeley is also famous for speaking up. The Free Speech Movement began on this campus in the 1960s, and students still love debating big ideas today.

Expect lively conversations everywhere, from classrooms to coffee shops on Telegraph Avenue.

Getting in is tough, no sugarcoating it. But remember, every UC on this list offers incredible value, so aim high while keeping great backup choices.

So, which campus caught your eye? Whether it is Berkeley or Merced, California just proved you do not need a private price tag to get a world-class education.