For the third consecutive year, UC San Diego has been named by Times Higher Education as the leading institution founded between 1945 and 1967.
The list from the respected British publication ranks the top 271 universities founded in the post-World War II era, a time characterized as the “Golden Age” in higher education because of rapid university expansion and increased investment in research.
“We are honored to continue to receive recognition from Times Higher Education,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “UC San Diego is at a critical point in its history. Our broad expertise has become richer with the possibility of innovation through hiring additional cross-disciplinary faculty; establishing new think tanks, research centers and institutes; as well as expanding industry partnerships locally, nationally and internationally.”
UC San Diego was established in 1960. One other California institution established in the 1960s — UC Irvine — made the top 10, tying for 8th place with a university in Australia.
Over the past year, UC San Diego has broken ground for a number of new buildings as its campus expands. It also established two new centers to address current national policy issues: the U.S. Immigration Policy Center and the Center for Commerce and Diplomacy.
“A notable feature of the university is its numerous research institutes which receive considerable public funding,” Times Higher Education said in its report. “This investment has led to nearly 30,000 newly created jobs, notable profits generated from the sale of licensed technology and the launch of over 600 new companies operated by UCSD affiliates.”
The report also praised the university for extensive recreational facilities, growing team sports and frequent concerts and other artistic events.