Golden Gate University Ranking Page

Do you know? GGU's online programs have earned recognition, including ranking #9 for the Best Online Certificate in Accounting, #11 for the Best Online Master's in Human Resources, and #37 for the Best Online Master's in Business Analytics.

Golden Gate University is currently ranked 238th in Best Public Affairs Programs, GGU has built a strong reputation since its founding, specializing in career-focused programs including law, business, taxation, accounting, and technology customized for working professionals, with its part-time law program being one of the most popular courses to study in the US. 

Golden Gate University holds WASC accreditation and designs its academic offerings around flexible formats, including evening, weekend, and online classes to accommodate students balancing work and education. 

Through industry partnerships and practical curriculum, GGU prepares students to advance their careers and positions itself among the best universities in the US.

Now, let's take a closer look at the Golden Gate University rankings for 2024-25.

Golden Gate University Rankings 2024-25

Golden Gate University serves over 70,000 alumni worldwide through 60+ online and hybrid programs in business, law, taxation, technology, and psychology. 

GGU's focus on working professionals and practical education continues to establish its leadership position in professional higher education for the 2024-25 academic year.

Here's how Golden Gate University has performed over the years in various rankings.

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025
U.S. News & World Report	147	147	178-196  (Best Law School)

Note: Golden Gate University is not currently featured in the global rankings published by QS World University Rankings, U.S. News & World Report, or Times Higher Education. 

GGU’s rankings have experienced minor fluctuations over the past three years, as illustrated in the graph below:

According to U.S. News rankings, Golden Gate University held a consistent position at #147 in both 2023 and 2024 but moved to the #178–196 range in 2025, signaling a shift in its overall ranking. 

Despite this change, the university continues to be recognized for its strength in specific areas of law. Its subject-specific rankings highlight an ongoing dedication to delivering quality legal education, even amid broader fluctuations in global standings.

In addition to its overall global standing, it's essential to consider how the rankings impact specific fields of study, which can help you make the right decision about admission to Golden Gate University.

Subject-Wise Ranking of Golden Gate University

GGU offers over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, with standout performance in Business Administration, Law, Psychology, Public Administration, and Technology. 

Notable achievements include U.S. News & World Report's U.S. News and World Report's

Best Grad Schools for Law degrees (Trial Advocacy) 2023-2024 and a top 10 national ranking for the Master's in Taxation by College Choice.

U.S. News Rankings

Golden Gate University has shown consistent strength in national rankings. It was ranked 147 by U.S. News in both 2023 and 2024, and placed within the 178–196 range in 2025 for Best Law School. 

These positions highlight the university’s focus on academic excellence and its impact on society. GGU also holds notable positions in law-related specialties, including #195 in Business/Corporate Law, #95 in Clinical Training, and #196 in Constitutional Law.

Let’s now explore the university’s accomplishments in education and cultural initiatives.

Specific Subject	Ranking
Business/Corporate Law	195
Clinical Training	95
Constitutional Law	196
Contracts/Commercial Law	187
Criminal Law	181
Environmental Law	108
Health Care Law	163
Intellectual Property Law	111
International Law	158
Legal Writing	119
Tax Law	142
Trial Advocacy	103

The consistent performance of the University in rankings like US News highlights its academic excellence and impact on social outcomes. 

AD Scientific Index Subject Rankings 

Golden Gate University (GGU) has earned a place in several subject-specific rankings by AD Scientific Index in 2025. These rankings reflect the university's performance across fields like Business, Law, Public Affairs, Education, and Social Sciences. 

Below is a breakdown of the subject-specific Golden Gate University Rankings by AD Scientific Index:

Ranking Category	AD Scientific Index Ranking 2025
Business and Management	#720 US rank
Education	#1014 US rank
Social Sciences	#832 US rank
Law	#484 US rank

Beyond traditional academic rankings, GGU also earns recognition in various other categories. Let’s explore it further.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

GGU serves a diverse student body with 62% from various racial backgrounds and an average age of 34, reflecting its adult learner focus. The university holds the #6 position among San Francisco universities and #650 nationally in comprehensive meta-evaluations, demonstrating its reputation for quality education and industry connections.

Here's the performance of Golden Gate University in different rankings. 

Ranking Name	Ranking 2024-25
Military Friendly School (Gold Status)	Gold Status
Military Spouse Friendly® Schools	#3 National
U.S. News and World Report Best Grad Schools	Environmental Law 2023-2024
U.S. News and World Report Best Grad Schools	Clinical Training 2023-2024
Washington Monthly - Best Colleges for Adult Learners	#1 (three consecutive years: 2016, 2017, 2018)
MS in Taxation	Best MS Tax Program- #1 (national ranking)

 

The Golden Gate University rankings 2025 reflect the university's commitment to excellence, but only tell part of the story. Let's now highlight the accomplishments that set GGU apart.

Golden Gate University: Excellence and Achievements

With approximately 2,262 students enrolled in 2023, GGU maintains strong career outcomes, with over 72% of graduates employed in positions requiring or benefiting from a Juris Doctor degree across its diverse undergraduate and graduate programs.

Let's discuss the achievements of GGU and how they reflect on the Golden Gate University Ranking:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Serving approximately 5,475 students during the 2024-2025 academic year, the university offers a comprehensive portfolio of bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs, with 88 percent enrolled in graduate business studies, highlighting its strong emphasis on advanced education. 

Here's a look at its academic achievements:

Category	Recognition
Academic Excellence	WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) has been accredited since 1959, nationally recognized by the US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
	LLM in Taxation awarded regional and national recognition; regarded among California's best graduate tax programs and nationally.
	Innovative law curriculum focused on practical training with diverse faculty expertise.
National Recognition	Ranked #5 nationally among Private Institutions Not Offering Doctorates in Military Friendly® Schools.
	First-time Military Friendly Spouse School designation demonstrating commitment to military families.

Now, let's look at the community and lifestyle recognitions of Golden Gate University.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

A diverse student body spans over 50 countries and studies competitive courses at Golden Gate University, creating a collaborative environment that mirrors San Francisco's dynamic culture. The university provides comprehensive student services, clubs, and activities that inculcate personal development, leadership, and community engagement, ensuring strong student support throughout their academic experience.
 

GGU's exciting student life is supported by resources and traditions that celebrate involvement and leadership. Key highlights are as follows:

Category	Description
Diverse Student Organizations	Over 350 recognized student organizations open to all students, spanning academic, cultural, service, special interest, and recreational categories.
Leadership & Engagement Opportunities	Extensive leadership development, event planning, and community service opportunities through clubs, student government, and specialized programs.
Recognition and Awards	Prestigious honors such as the Gold Axe Award, Blue Key Honor Society, and Presidential Leadership Fellows recognize exceptional leadership and service.

Next, let's discuss the cultural and creative excellence parameters of the Golden Gate University ranking.

H3: Cultural and Creative Excellence

GGU hosts over 200 international students from 50+ countries, creating a global community that promotes cross-cultural exchange. The university supports student development through comprehensive programs enhancing professional and personal skills, including mentorship initiatives connecting students with alumni and industry experts.

The table below demonstrates the cultural achievements at GGU in detail.

Category	Recognition
Cultural Excellence	Partnered with Genesys Works to train 400+ underserved Bay Area youth, 92% college-bound, 94% students of color, 65% first-gen. Inclusive student clubs and access to San Francisco's innovation-driven culture support leadership and belonging.
Creative Excellence	DBA in Emerging Tech (Gen AI) includes global immersions and pathways to publication or patents. GGU’s DBA course spans 56 credits, includes 3 global immersion sessions, and enables students to gain adjunct faculty roles.

While rankings are crucial, you must consider them alongside other metrics, such as acceptance rate, to get a fuller picture of the university's selectivity and appeal. Let's discuss it further.

Golden Gate University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

GGU reported an overall acceptance rate of 16.4% for first-time applicants, indicating a more competitive admissions process. 

The acceptance rate for transfer students remains high at 83%. International applicants, who typically apply for graduate programs, must have a minimum 3.0 GPA along with valid TOEFL/IELTS scores to meet the English proficiency requirement to study in the USA.

Here are the notable rankings for different programs:

Course	U.S News University Rank 2025	Acceptance Rate
Business/Corporate Law	195	22.43%
Clinical Training	95	22.43%
Public Affairs Program	238	Approximately 16.4% overall acceptance rate for the 2024 application year (highly selective for first-time applicants)
Tax Law	142

Understanding the methodologies behind these rankings is key to interpreting their significance. Let's now take a closer look at how these rankings are determined.

Ranking Methodologies

University ranking systems offer clear and comparable evaluations of higher education institutions globally, using a mix of quantitative and qualitative metrics. Leading organizations like QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and US News apply unique criteria and weighting methods to assess and rank universities.

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

Golden Gate University’s position in the U.S. News & World Report rankings highlights its focus on student outcomes, academic quality, and broader recognition. These rankings consider essential factors such as research strength, institutional reputation, and overall performance.

They also take into account faculty qualifications, available resources, and student feedback to measure how well a university supports academic growth and innovation.

Here are the criteria used in the U.S. News and World Report Rankings.

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earning more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

The rankings above represent a university's ability to provide quality according to the education system in the US and outcomes to students, based on measures such as employability and industry applications.

With a comprehensive understanding of Golden Gate University's rankings 2025, let’s now consider the university's standing in the broader academic community.

Wrapping up: Golden Gate University 2025 Ranking Analysis

Golden Gate University (GGU) is a leader in professional and adult education, ranked #1 in the U.S. for Adult Learners for three consecutive years and #1 nationally in Taxation programs. It also holds Military Friendly School Gold Status, reflecting its strong support for working professionals.

With a 16.4% overall acceptance rate and an 83% transfer acceptance rate, GGU serves both new and continuing students, 88% of whom pursue graduate business programs. In the U.S. News & World Report Best Law Schools Rankings, GGU ranked #147 in 2023 and 2024, shifting to the 178–196 range in 2025. 

Following the 2023 closure of its JD program, the university continues to grow by expanding online offerings, focusing on specialized programs, and leveraging San Francisco’s business ecosystem to enhance its academic impact.