(The Center Square) – The University of California, Los Angeles was removed as the best public university in the country, a new ranking list finds.
UCLA has been the No. 1 public university in the nation for eight consecutive years, but was bumped to second best, according to a data analysis site, Niche 2026 Best Colleges in America rankings published Monday by the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Last year, UCLA celebrated its eight-year milestone.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work, dedication, resilience and ingenuity of UCLA’s students, faculty, staff and alumni,” Interim Chancellor Darnell Hunt said. “With our firm commitment to inclusive excellence, UCLA is continuing to redefine what it means to be a great public institution.”
UCLA has an acceptance rate of 9%, with an annual net price of $15,166. The university enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate students, including 568 part-time undergraduates, according to Niche.
Niche’s rankings consider factors such as academics, diversity and campus safety, using data from the U.S. Department of Education and direct input from schools. UCLA earned A or A+ grades in categories like student life, dorms, academics, location and campus food, but received a B- for safety.
Despite the drop, UCLA remains a top public university in Niche’s 2026 rankings, outpacing other Southern California institutions. UC Berkeley ranked No. 9; UC San Diego, No. 13, and UC Irvine, No. 18.
Niche’s platform also allows prospective students to compare schools based on acceptance rates, tuition costs and enrollment figures.
