PUC’s Rank Ascends the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List

Known for its excellent and high-quality, service-oriented degrees on campus and online, Pacific Union College is happy to announce that it has been ranked #12 in Regional Colleges (West) and #3 in California in the same category in the 2025-2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges List.

The college continues to offer hands-on, experiential learning tools and skills across many degrees, emphasizing preparation for careers and beyond.

PUC now holds the #12 spot in the Overall Rank, #7 in Best College for Veterans, and #16 in Top Performers on Social Mobility– all in the Regional Colleges (West) classification.

The college takes pride in the diverse array of students, faculty, and staff who come from different backgrounds and hold many skills, which enrich the campus’s atmosphere, variety, and success.

“Our climb in this year’s rankings is another strong sign of PUC's growing momentum. We see it and feel it on campus every day, but it's a testament to our faculty and staff to see this upward trajectory reflected in national rankings, too,” said Academic Dean and Vice President of Academic Administration Lindsay Hayasaka.

Another tangible reason for the college’s achievements can be witnessed in the dedication of faculty and staff who continue to make PUC a place where students feel a sense of belonging, and in turn, thrive. The student-to-faculty ratio makes the classroom an intimate learning space for relevant material in today’s market, and a space to receive Christ-centered education.

“At Pacific Union College, we are headed in a positive direction on so many fronts,” said PUC President Ralph Trecartin. “The U.S. News and World Report Rankings 2026 confirm the idea that our overall quality is getting stronger.” “It is helpful when external measurements such as this match the tangible internal improvements that we see all around us. We look at our campus with an “insider” viewpoint. U.S. News and World Report seeks to evaluate campuses based on objective external evidence. We are grateful for their validation. Our Overall Rank improved for Colleges in the West again this year!”

As PUC continues to grow and succeed, it also ensures that every student who passes through its curriculum holds every tool needed for their respective careers through experiential learning– marking them ready for impact and service.