Being the world’s best university goes far beyond rankings. New data shows UC’s impact, and the numbers are huge.
UC is making life better for Californians not just on its campuses, but in every corner of the state — with benefits that ripple out to the rest of the country and the world.
$9.5 billion annual research spend
UC invests billions of dollars in research each year, driving innovation across the state and the nation and tackling the world’s most pressing challenges. The caliber of UC research is unparalleled.
75 Nobel Prizes
66 National Medals of Science
No. 1 for U.S. utility patents
4 new inventions created every day
68,000 California jobs directly funded by UC research
42 UC Nature sites statewide, the world’s largest field laboratory system
3 UC-affiliated U.S. National Laboratories
99% of California zip codes served by UC healthcare
UC cares for Californians, providing healthcare services statewide. A cornerstone of California’s healthcare system, UC trains future providers, treats the most complex cases, serves millions of patients on Medi-Cal and advances medical innovation.
21 hospitals
2.5 million patients
12 million outpatient visits
1.6 million inpatient days
140,000 cancer patients
651,000 ER visits
17,000 babies born
4,900 clinical trials
Nearly 17,000 health professional students and residents each year
68% of UC undergrads graduate debt free
UC has worked to keep the cost of education manageable for students and families. The majority of UC undergrads finish their degrees with ZERO debt.
$17,300 avg. debt at graduation for UC students who take loans, compared to national averages of $28,700 for public universities and $34,000 for private universities
34% or $11,400 decrease in avg. UC student loan debt since 2014
UC student loan debt is $10,000 lower than the national avg. at other public universities
55% of low-income UC students out-earn their parents within 3 years of graduation
Find all the details on these numbers and more in UC’s 2026 Accountability Report, a comprehensive, annual assessment of the University’s progress in meeting key teaching, research and public service goals across its 10 campuses and beyond.
