UC San Diego scored the number one spot, for the second year in a row, in a list of U.S. colleges that benefit the country, according to rankings posted today by the Washington Monthly.
UCSD was so rated despite concerns expressed in the article about California's billion-dollar cuts in higher education spending.
The university got high marks for the amount of money spent on research, award-winning faculty, faculty in national academies and community service participation.
"It's an honor for UC San Diego to be recognized again for our tradition of service to the community and the nation," said UCSD Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. "We are rightfully proud that the spirit of civic engagement and the principle of `giving back' serve as the foundation of our greatest achievements."
The Washington Monthly ranked universities on upward mobility for students, research and service programs.
The University of San Diego was No. 64 on the publication's list, noted also for community service participation and ROTC membership.
San Diego State University was No. 139, helped by a graduation rate 12 percentage points higher than the predicted figure.
In a separate category for Master's Universities, Point Loma Nazarene University was No. 28.
