Irvine, Calif., Sept. 9, 2014 – UC Irvine has advanced in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges survey, ranking 42nd of 1,600 universities evaluated nationwide. The seven-point jump is UCI’s largest in a decade. Among public institutions, the campus rose to 11th from 14th.

The campus also did well in the “best value” category, coming in 39th. Scores are based on academic quality and net cost of attendance for a student receiving the average level of need-based financial aid. The higher the quality and the lower the cost, the better the value, according to the survey.

“This dramatic jump in the rankings – the biggest improvement in the last 10 years – underscores UCI’s tremendous momentum as we accelerate our rise among globally preeminent research universities,” said interim Chancellor Howard Gillman, Ph.D. “It reflects outstanding dedication by our faculty, staff, and supporters to providing an A-plus education in a way that’s accessible to talented, motivated students.”

UCI’s undergraduate major in The Paul Merage School of Business was ranked for the first time, placing 39th. The program is beginning its sixth year in October and has moved quickly into the top 50. Rankings are based on a spring 2014 survey of deans and faculty at business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, all of which offer doctorates. (Because of a printing error, the school’s ranking will not appear in the published guidebook for business schools, but it will appear in all online lists.)

“The Paul Merage School of Business is extremely proud to be recognized for excellence across all programs,” said Dean Eric Spangenberg. “The inaugural ranking of our young undergraduate program indicates that we are delivering business education commensurate with other elite schools at every level.”

UCI’s undergraduate programs in The Henry Samueli School of Engineering moved up one spot to 48th. Rankings are based on a spring 2014 survey of engineering deans and senior faculty at ABET-accredited programs in which a doctorate is the terminal degree.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is ranked first among U.S. universities under 50 years old by the London-based Times Higher Education and is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Currently under the leadership of interim Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. Located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities, it’s Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.3 billion annually to the local economy.

Media access: UC Irvine maintains an online directory of faculty available as experts to the media at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists/experts/. Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit wp.communications.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.