September 14, 2007

Best College / University

1. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE

949-824-5011

Uci.edu

* Leading research university
* Award-winning faculty
* Innovative instructional programs
* Fast-growing campus
* Second-largest O.C. employer

In 1965, Lyndon Johnson was president, mankind was contemplating a trip to the moon and the University of California, Irvine, opened its doors.

More than 40 years later, UCI has become internationally recognized for efforts that are improving lives through research and discovery, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching, and engaging and enriching the community.

"Not only is the campus beautiful, but the classes I took were taught by seasoned professionals who are currently working in their field," said Cindy Reynolds of Irvine. "They also have the oddest mascot (an anteater) of any school I know."

With 24,000 students, 1,400 faculty and 8,300 staff members, UCI is among the fastest-growing campuses in the UC system. As Orange County's second-largest employer, UCI generates an annual economic impact on the county of $3.3 billion.

The school ranks among the top U.S. universities in number of undergraduate applications and continues to admit freshmen with highly competitive academic profiles.

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks UCI among the nation's best universities. Achievements in the sciences, arts, humanities, medicine and management also have garnered national rankings. Three UCI researchers have won Nobel Prizes, including Irwin A. Rose (chemistry) in 2004.

In the health sciences, UCI is noted for its research on cancer, the neurosciences and the genetic underpinnings of disease. UCI Medical Center in Orange (Orange County's only university hospital) is building a new facility that, upon completion in 2009, will house the latest technologies and strengthen UCI's ability to provide specialized medical and surgical treatments to the community.

A major intellectual and cultural center, UCI offers many public activities and events. Recent speakers include the XIV Dalai Lama, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Iranian human-rights activist Shirin Ebadi and Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai. All are Nobel Peace Prize winners.

The Claire Trevor School of the Arts and the School of Humanities produce entertaining cultural programs, while UCI's athletic teams have won two dozen national championships. The baseball team made headlines this year by competing in the College World Series for the first time.

2. CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, FULLERTON

657-278-2011

Fullerton.edu

# No tuition for California residents
# On-campus bowling alley and pub
# Branch campus in Irvine

Happy 50th anniversary, CSUF!

Hard to believe, but in 1957, California State University, Fullerton, became the 12th California state college to be authorized by the Legislature. Back then, it was called Orange County State College, and the first session included 452 full- and part-time students.

Now, nearly 35,000 students are enrolled at CSUF, all seeking a degree in one of 105 programs, including 50 at the graduate level. The school has national accreditations and associations in art, athletic training, business, chemistry, communications, computer science, dance, engineering, music, nursing and many others. Its athletic teams have won 12 national championships.

Sitting on 236 acres of what was once part of a vast orange grove, Cal State Fullerton is a comprehensive regional university with a global outlook. The school's affordable undergraduate and graduate programs provide students with the best of current practice, theory and research to prepare them for careers in the arts and sciences.

No tuition is charged to California residents, making the school an affordable alternative to private or University of California schools. Unit fees are less than $2,000 per student per semester. Nonresident and international students pay basic fees plus tuition.

U.S. News & World Report ranks CSUF No. 8 among public universities and master's institutions in the West.

3. CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
Orange
714-997-6815

Chapman.edu

# Six NCAA Division III athletic titles
# 60 student organizations
# Student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1

Founded in 1861 as Hesperian College in Woodland and renamed Chapman College in 1934 in honor of philanthropist Charles C. Chapman, Chapman University moved to its current location in Orange in 1954.

Located on 75 tree-lined acres, Chapman University's academic programs are built around a liberal-arts core offering traditional undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in law, business, education, music, film, psychology, public relations and advertising, among others.

Student enrollment is more than 5,700.