How would you rank the UCs

I'm a junior in high school and I've been doing some research on the University of California system. There's quite a variety of campuses, so I'm wondering how you guys would rank the UCs academically. Would love to hear your opinions!

It's important to remember that ranking schools can be subjective, as different people have different criteria and priorities. That being said, it's commonly accepted that there is a general hierarchy of academically prestigious UC schools. Keep in mind that their strength can differ by department and major. Here's one possible ranking, but please take it with a grain of salt and consider researching each campus individually for your specific interests and goals:

1. UC Berkeley - Known for its outstanding faculty, research opportunities, and reputation, especially in engineering, computer science, and business.

2. UCLA - A close second to Berkeley, with strong programs across the board, including in film and television, business, and psychology.

3. UC San Diego - Highly regarded for its programs in the sciences, particularly in biology, chemistry, and related fields.

4. UC Santa Barbara - Strong in the sciences and environmental studies, as well as recognized for its engineering and physics programs.

5. UC Davis - Known for its agriculture and environmental sciences programs, as well as for its veterinary medicine, and engineering.

6. UC Irvine - Offers strong programs in computer science, engineering, and social sciences, as well as in the arts and humanities.

7. UC Santa Cruz - Recognized for its programs in arts, humanities and social sciences, including astronomy and astrophysics.

8. UC Riverside - Has well-regarded programs in the natural sciences, engineering, and business.

9. UC Merced - The newest addition to the UC system, with growing strengths in natural sciences, engineering, and social sciences.

I want to emphasize that each campus will have its own unique environment, culture, and set of strengths. It's crucial to look beyond just rankings and consider factors like location, size, campus resources, and available majors/minors that best align with your interests. Remember that rankings may not necessarily reflect the quality of education you'll receive or your experience at any given school.