The University of California, Davis, ranks No. 1 in the world for teaching and research in agriculture and forestry as well as veterinary sciences, according to data released today by QS World University Rankings. This is the third consecutive year that UC Davis has been ranked first in agriculture and forestry by QS.

The organization ranked UC Davis in 27 of the 36 subjects covered. This was the first time the subject area of veterinary sciences was included in QS rankings. UC Davis is the only University of California campus this year that was ranked first in any of the disciplines ranked by QS.

UC Davis among top 50 universities in many subjects

The organization ranked UC Davis among the top 50 universities in various subjects, including environmental sciences (15), biological sciences (29), earth and marine sciences (41), history (42), and statistics and operational research (50).

QS rankings are based on reputational surveys and research citations. The full report is available online.

“These rankings reconfirm that our faculty and researchers are respected the world over and that their work is making an impact throughout the globe,” said UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi. “This is a proud day for UC Davis and for all our faculty, staff, students and alumni.”

College of Ag and Environmental Sciences founded in 1905

The UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences was founded in 1905 as the University of California’s University Farm. Today, it has more than 6,200 undergraduate students in 27 majors and more than 1,000 graduate students in 45 graduate groups and programs. Its programs have characteristically received top-tier rankings from the Chronicle of Higher Education, U.S. News & World Report and ISI Essential Science Indicators.

More than 3,000 acres of UC Davis’ 5,000-acre campus are devoted to agricultural research.

UC Davis also is home to the World Food Center, established in 2013 to increase the economic benefits from research across campus; influence national and international policy; and convene teams of scientists and innovators from industry, academia, government and nongovernmental organizations to tackle food-related challenges in California and around the world.

“UC Davis researchers are at the forefront of addressing regional and global issues related to food, the environment, health, and families,” said Helene Dillard, dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis. “At the same time, our students graduate to become leaders in science, education, business, and decision-making, from the community to the international level.”

Vet Med runs teaching hospital, clinics throughout California

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine annually cares for more than 48,000 animal patients and is educating more than 500 veterinary students plus residents and grad students. The school runs a veterinary medical teaching hospital at UC Davis and satellite clinics in San Diego and the San Joaquin Valley community of Tulare.

Veterinary faculty members work to solve society’s most pressing health issues by collaborating with colleagues from human medicine and other disciplines. An example of its “one health” approach is a recent $100 million grant to the veterinary school to coordinate surveillance for disease-causing microbes, discovering new viruses and strengthening global health capacity in more than 20 countries.

“The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine has a rich history of educating leaders in veterinary medicine, public health, biomedical sciences and specialty disciplines,” said Dean Michael Lairmore. “Our recognition by the QS World Rankings demonstrates our global impact in advancing the health of animals, people and the environment. While leading veterinary medicine, we use a One Health approach, bringing together multiple disciplines to translate basic and applied knowledge to address societal needs. I am very proud of our people and programs that have worked hard to earn this new recognition for our school and UC Davis.”

UC Davis, overall, was ranked ninth last fall among the nation’s public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine ranked the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine No. 1 in the nation in its rankings on graduate programs and professional schools released in March.

The QS World University Rankings by Subject this year evaluated 3,467 universities and ranked 971 institutions. The rankings are prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a British firm that previously was the data provider for the annual Times Higher Education rankings. The firm is widely considered to be one of the most influential international university rankings providers.

UC Davis is growing California

At UC Davis, we and our partners are nourishing our state with food, economic activity and better health, playing a key part in the state’s role as the top national agricultural producer for more than 50 years. UC Davis is participating in UC’s Global Food Initiative launched by UC President Janet Napolitano, harnessing the collective power of UC to help feed the world and steer it on the path to sustainability.