Best Colleges For Your Buck Are Right Here In SoCal: Report

IRVINE, CA — The university that gives you the best bang for your buck nationwide is UC Irvine, and its closely followed by UCLA and a handful of other Southern California schools, according to rankings released by Money magazine.

Southern Californians are, indeed, blessed with top quality education options, the magazine concluded in its annual Best Colleges ranking of schools that "offer an outstanding education at an affordable price." This was the first time UC Irvine garnered the top spot. UCLA placed fifth, while UC San Diego came in ninth, UC Riverside came in at 12th, Cal State Long Beach at 13th, Caltech at 16th and Cal State Fullerton in a tie for 22nd.

According to the magazine, the rankings are based on more than 19,000 data points, including graduation rates, tuition and alumni salaries, to "identify the colleges that best combine quality and affordability." The magazine reviewed 744 colleges nationwide to develop the list.

UCI ranked third last year, but moved up to number one this year, marking the first time a public university has ever topped the list.

"This latest recognition of our national leadership in combining outstanding academics with outstanding value is testament to the concerted efforts of our faculty, staff, students and supporters," UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman said. "It is our mission and our privilege to ensure that a world- class education is available to talented and ambitious students of all backgrounds and circumstances."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.