Universities in Oakland, USA
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Oakland
  • 05 Dec, 2023: Publication of QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. Lincoln University, California ranked #325.
  • 27 Oct, 2023: Publication of GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking (Textile Science and Engineering). Lincoln University, California with highest ranking among universities in Oakland ranked #201.
  • 19 Oct, 2023: Latest THE World University Rankings by Subject (Business and Economics) from THE Times Higher Education, UK. 3 universities from Oakland appear in this ranking.
  • 27 Sep, 2023: Publication of THE World University Rankings. Lincoln University, California ranked #401.

Oakland, California is perhaps best known for its diverse, socially conscious inhabitants, as well as being a city that offers an impressive variety of activities to get involved in, whether they be out in the fresh air, or indoors enjoying the Oakland Symphony Orchestra, their various museums, or the city’s vibrant nightlife scene.

All in all, those who come to study in Oakland have 7 higher education options to choose between, each of which covers the different needs of different kinds of students.


Rankings of universities in Oakland, USA 2024

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 39 student ratings)
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  • #95 
  • #401 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #63 
  • #362 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
  • #283 
  • #1551 
CWUR Center for World University Rankings
[Published 25 April, 2022]
Show 8 more rankings of Lincoln University, California and subject specific rankings for 1 subjects

#2
USA

Samuel Merritt University

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  • #57 
  • #57 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #93 
  • #92 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #1367 
  • #8405 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#3
USA

Holy Names University

  • #631 
  • #654 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #693 
  • #718 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #816 
  • #5662 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]


#4
USA

Mills College

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 93 student ratings)
  • #603 
  • #629 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #248 
  • #252 
Kiplinger's Best College Values
[Published 31 July, 2019]
  • #610 
  • #632 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]

#5
USA

University of California System

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (based on 117 student ratings)
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  • #10 
  • #13 
Reuters Most Innovative Universities
[Published 23 October, 2019]
  • #682 
  • #4045 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]
  • #757 
  • #5165 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 31 July, 2023]

#6
USA

University of California, Oakland

Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (based on 117 student ratings)

#7
USA

Patten University

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Highest subject rankings of universities in Oakland

Education US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#121 
Mills College
Economics GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#301 
Lincoln University, California

Student Opinions About Studying in Oakland

“Oakland is a great place to live, despite its sometimes brutal living costs. The weather is consistently awesome and there’s always something new and interesting to do in this city. It helps that there’s a lot of young people living here, too.”

“The BART system gets me everywhere I need pretty quickly and affordably, and most of the time with a good level of safety, but you do have to be aware of your surroundings.”

“I’ve lived in a lot of different places in the United States, and Oakland beats them all for me. The weather is always decent as a minimum, and the population that lives in the city is diverse in just about every way, and very socially responsible and engaged.”

Oakland Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • Oakland is home to innumerable natural spaces, including city parks, as well as many regional parks for the residents to enjoy in their free time. The east bay regional park district is the largest park district in the country, and it provides opportunities for camping, hiking and mountain bike trails, fishing, golf, picnics, and freshwater swimming.

  • The city’s light rail system, known as BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is considered a reliable means of getting around Oakland. Students enrolled at participating universities are entitled to the benefits of a school-specific Clipper card, and they have to ask the admin staff at their own university whether the institution forms a part of the program or not.

  • The nightlife scene is never disappointing in Oakland, as almost everywhere you go in the city you can count on a great selection of lounges, clubs, and bars.

CONS

  • As is to be expected from the state of California, the cost of housing and rent is among the most expensive in the country. The average monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is a considerable $2,466. Sharing with a roommate will be necessary for most people, and also being patient while looking for an apartment in order to find a good deal in one of the more affordable neighbourhoods.

  • Almost all traffic going to and coming from the San Francisco Bay Bridge goes through Oakland. This can create some significant congestion, especially during rush hour.

  • Some areas are known for having crime rates that are a cause for concern. Newcomers to Oakland should educate themselves about these matters by asking their new contacts in the city for any advice they might give on this.


5 out of 7 Universities in Oakland Ranked in at least one ranking

14 Different Rankings list Universities in Oakland (11 institution and 3 subject rankings)

1 Global Rankings rank Universities in Oakland Among TOP 200

Population: 420000

Elevation: 13 m. above sea level

Time: GMT -8

District/province: California, Alameda County

Living costs for students in Oakland:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 100* (0% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 103* (3% more expensive than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 95* (5% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 5.15 US$
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Oakland

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FAQ

Lincoln University, California ranks #1 in Oakland in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Oakland Lincoln University, California is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 14 rankings where Lincoln University, California is listed.

Mills College is ranked best in Oakland for Education (Education). See all rankings for the Mills College.

Lincoln University, California is ranked best in Oakland for Social Studies & Humanities (Economics). See all rankings for the Lincoln University, California.

Ranking publishers

British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

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Kiplinger

Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:

Quality Criteria 55% Cost Criteria 45%

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MONEY

Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

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Payscale

Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):

Ranking is based on ROI

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

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Thomson Reuters

Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities:

Patent Volume 33% Patent Citations 34% Industry Article Citation Impact 11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11%

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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