An Upward Social Mobility Machine: UC San Diego 2nd Best U.S. University, Says Money Magazine

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The University of California San Diego is a national leader in transforming lives of low-income students. One of the best schools for students to get a quality education at an affordable price, Money Magazine has listed the campus in the No. 2 spot in its new 2018 Best Colleges for Your Money ranking.

The Money Magazine methodology evaluated graduation rates, net costs and alumni earnings that were provided by Payscale.com

The new ranking is consistent with recognition UC San Diego has received from the New York Times, Washington Monthly and other organizations for serving high numbers of low-income students and ensuring their success as college graduates.

“UC San Diego is committed to providing a world-class education and support services to all of our students from all socio-economic backgrounds,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “The strength of education is upward mobility, and we are proud to continue our tradition of educating next-generation leaders who will use their diverse talents to make our world better."

The magazine editors praised the campus for its social mobility efforts.  “The University of California at San Diego (No. 2) shot to the top of our rankings this year with one of the highest graduation rates in the country for a public college, plus with an impressive record for boosting low-income students into the upper middle class.”

They added, “for Californians, UC San Diego is a great value too. The average student who borrows leaves with about $18,500 in debt, roughly half the national average, and recent grads report earnings that are 14 percent higher than those of grads from universities with similar student bodies.”

UC San Diego is expected to enroll one its most diverse ethnic and socioeconomic classes of students this fall. Nearly one-third of the campus’s newly-admitted freshmen and transfers are the first in their family to attend a four-year college.

Supporting new and continuing students is a key focus on the campus. The Campaign for UC San Diego just had a record-breaking fundraising year which will benefit scholarships for qualified, low-income students in addition to other strategic initiatives. More than $312 million was raised during fiscal year 2017-2018—the highest amount for any San Diego college or university in a single year.

For more information about Money Magazine’s best colleges ranking, click here.