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Florida’s State Universities earn high marks in U.S. News & World Report public university rankings

TALLAHASSEE – The University of Florida climbed one spot to the No. 6 public university in the country, the University of Central Florida climbed two spots to No. 77, and Florida International University climbed ten spots to No. 95, according to the U.S. News & World Report public university rankings announced today. 

Today’s announcement means six of our universities have improved their rankings from the previous year. Florida has three public universities in the Top 50, second most in the nation – one university in the Top 10, another in the Top 20, with Florida State University ranked at No. 19 and in the Top 20 for the second year in a row, and the University of South Florida filling out the Top 50 for the second consecutive year, coming in at No. 46. 

Florida now has five public institutions ranked in the Top 100, which is the fourth most in the country.  The University of Central Florida and Florida International University round out the Top 100 at No. 77 and No. 95, respectively.  Florida has eight universities in the top 140, with Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University ranked No. 117, and Florida Atlantic University tied at No. 136 with the University of North Florida.

“Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have prioritized higher education in Florida, and we see the result of that investment in these accolades, said Syd Kitson, Chair of the Board of Governors.  “The proof that we are on the right track is evident in this success, and we are extremely proud.  But our work is not done.  Today’s announcement motivates us to continue our drive for excellence to reach an even higher level of achievement.”

Factors considered in the public university rankings include graduation rates, class size, student-faculty ratio, and the number of students on Pell Grants.

Other highlights include:

  • U.S. News & World Report also recognized FAMU as the No. 1 public HBCU in the country.
  • The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering earned a spot on the U.S. News & World Report badge-eligible list with a No. 69 ranking among the 206 Best Undergraduate Engineering schools offering doctorate degrees, and in the top 40 of those that are public.
  • New College of Florida retained its No. 6 ranking among the nation’s top public liberal arts colleges while rising 18 spots to No. 84 among all national liberal arts colleges.
  • After only six years in existence, Florida Polytechnic University made its first appearance in the national rankings of the prestigious U.S News and World Report as a top 75 engineering college without a doctorate.
  • The University of West Florida was named No. 15 in the Top Public School – Regional University South, category. 
  • For the fourth consecutive year, the University of Central Florida has been named the No. 16 most innovative university.
  • Florida Gulf Coast University climbed 11 spots to No. 17 in the Top Public School – Regional University South, category.  They are also ranked No. 66 in the Social Mobility category, which measures enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students awarded with Pell Grants.
  • The University of South Florida is the highest-ranked public university in Florida on the U.S. News list of “Best Value Colleges” (No. 8 nationally).

“The national recognition is a reflection of the hard work done in this state, and it all points back to the opportunities we are creating for our students,” said Marshall M. Criser III, State University System Chancellor. “Accountability is key, and the state’s investments in performance-funding have given our System the tools necessary for our students to achieve a higher quality of education, graduate faster, and at tuition levels that are among the lowest in the country.”

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Facts about the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors

The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and more than 420,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.