News Release

UC San Diego Jacobs School Of Engineering Rises In Latest U.S. News And World Report Rankings Of Best Engineering Schools

The Jacobs School of Engineering jumped to #11 from #12 last year

June 18, 2024-- The University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering has ranked the #11 best in the nation in the influential U.S. News & World Report Rankings of Best Engineering Schools. This #11 ranking is up from #12 last year. Among public engineering schools, the Jacobs School of Engineering ranks #7 best engineering school in the nation, up from #8 last year. 

“I am thrilled that our school-wide ranking improved this year. I am proud, I am excited – and I am also right back to work,” said Albert P. Pisano, Dean of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering and Special Adviser to the Chancellor. “Rankings are recognition rather than definition, and these rankings recognize yet again our world-class school. We advance engineering and computer science research and education for the public good, and it’s wonderful to be recognized as we do this important work.”

#1 in the Nation among Public Engineering Schools for Academic Paper Citations

In the same US News Best Engineering School Rankings, the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering ranked #1 in the nation among public engineering schools for citations per publication – and #5 in the nation overall). The Jacobs School also ranked #2 in the nation among public engineering schools for field weighted citations per publication.

Citation rankings are a new addition this year to the US News Best Engineering Schools rankings methodology. According to US News, they are included as a way to measure the scholarly impact that an engineering school’s faculty have in their field and the caliber of their research.

“Our top rankings for academic citations reflect the thought leadership and the world-class stature of our graduate students, postdocs, research scientists and faculty. I’m pleased to see this much deserved spotlight shining on our intellectual leadership as well as the scholarly impact we have on our colleagues in engineering and computer science throughout the country and the world,” said Pisano. 

Research Funding is Up, Again

Schoolwide, the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering increased its research expenditures to $256M, which is up almost five percent from last year. Research activity is one of the metrics that highlights our strength and impact in research. As measured by research expenditures, the Jacobs School’s research activity was higher last year than it has ever been. 

Stephanie Fraley, professor in the Shu Chien - Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering, conducts research into a new way to detect pathogens and sepsis faster and more accurately. 

The Jacobs School is #2 on the West Coast among all engineering schools public and private for total research expenditures. In addition, the Jacobs School is #3 in the nation among public engineering schools in the top 25 for research expenditures per faculty member.

“Our ability to secure research funding continues to strengthen despite an ever more competitive research funding environment. Our ongoing success is a testament to the creativity, technical brilliance and tenacity of our faculty, students and research and administrative staff. Congratulations to everyone whose efforts directly and indirectly contribute to the ability of our research teams to win research funding,” said Pisano. 

Graduate Program Departmental Rankings

In addition to the school-wide rankings, US News also ranks many engineering and computer science graduate programs. Jacobs School graduate programs that ranked in the top 30 in the April 2024 US News Best Engineering Schools graduate program rankings are listed below.

Bioengineering
#3 among public institutions
#8 in the nation

Computer Science, Systems
#5 among public institutions
#8 in the nation

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
#6 among public institutions
#10 in the nation

Computer Science, Programming Languages
#5 among public institutions
#11 in the nation

Computer Engineering
#7 among public institutions
#12 in the nation

Computer Science
#7 among public institutions
#13 in the nation

Computer Science, Theory
#7 among public institutions
#15 in the nation

Electrical Engineering
#8 among public institutions
#14 in the nation

Mechanical Engineering
#9 among public institutions
#17 in the nation

Aerospace Engineering
#13 among public institutions
#18 in the nation

Civil Engineering
#17  among public institutions
#27 in the nation

Materials Engineering
#18 among public institutions
#29 in the nation

“Students, staff, faculty, industry partners, collaborators and friends, thank you for your excellence and hard work,” said Pisano. “Congratulations on a mighty effort. Let's keep focused on delivering advances in research, education and innovation which real-world improvements in people’s lives.”

 

Media Contacts

Daniel Kane
Jacobs School of Engineering
858-534-3262
dbkane@ucsd.edu