The Chemical Engineering Graduate Program at UC Santa Barbara once again ranks among the nation’s best in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Graduate Engineering Schools rankings. Out of 134 private and public institutions that offer doctorate degrees in chemical engineering, UCSB ranks thirteenth overall and ninth among public institutions. The rankings, which were released on June 18, 2024, were based entirely on peer surveys submitted by department heads at institutions across the country.

As a whole, UCSB’s College of Engineering graduate program tied for No. 16 among public universities and 30th overall out of 199 institutions. The Materials graduate program ranked second among public institutions and fifth out of the 119 public and private universities. The Mechanical Engineering graduate program climbed a few spots to rank 16th among public universities and 27th out of 184 total institutions, while electrical and computer engineering tied for No. 15 among public universities and tied for 26th out of 199 public and private institutions overall. The Computer Science Graduate Program ranked 13th among public universities and 27th overall out of programs at 210 universities. 

The UCSB engineering program ranked fourth among public universities and tenth overall out 199 universities in the percentage of faculty who are members of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) at 9.9 percent. Four chemical engineering faculty, Rachel Segalman, Glenn Fredrickson, Michael Doherty, and James Rawlings are NAE members. 

The annual report evaluated 199 engineering schools that granted doctoral degrees. Information used to compile the overall rankings included statistical data and surveys submitted by engineering school deans and recruiters. Specialty rankings, such as chemical engineering and materials, were based solely on peer assessments by department heads in each specialty area. U.S. News conducted peer assessment surveys in fall 2023 and early 2024 for specialty rankings.