Samueli School Undergraduate Program Improves in Rankings

Monday, Sept. 9, 2019 - U.S. News & World Report has ranked UC Irvine’s undergraduate engineering program 22nd among public universities nationwide in its 2020 list of “Best Colleges,” released today. Last year, the program was ranked 24th among publics. Among both private and public institutions, the Samueli School ranked 39th, up four spots from the previous year.

U.S. News rankings of undergraduate engineering programs accredited by ABET are based solely on assessments from deans and senior faculty at peer institutions.

“We are proud of this recognition,” said Gregory Washington, the Stacey Nicholas Dean of Engineering. “The Samueli School has been growing in bold and innovative ways. Our dynamic undergraduate program with an emphasis on experiential learning is attracting high-achieving students who want more than a textbook education.”

This fall, the Samueli School of Engineering’s incoming freshman class is among the largest and most diverse group of students in its 54-year history.

UCI claimed the No. 9 spot this year, among public universities. It ranked third in the subcategory of social mobility, which considers the graduation rates of students awarded Pell Grants. Begun in 1983, the annual U.S. News report is one of the most influential in the country, with ratings derived from 15 diverse indicators of academic quality. Evaluators considered 1,922 institutions for the 2020 list.

– Lori Brandt