TALLAHASSEE, FL (August 12, 2025) – For the eighth year in a row, five universities within the State University System of Florida were ranked on the Top 100 Worldwide Universities List by the National Academy of Inventors, which was established at the University of South Florida to recognize inventors for their accomplishments in patents. The four SUS universities ranked in the top 100 increased, and one maintained its ranking from 2023. The Top 100 Worldwide Universities List ranks the top universities granted utility patents during 2024.
“This achievement recognizes the real-world impact of administrators, faculty, and students who are focused on innovation and not indoctrination. Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have recently invested more than $200M to recruit and retain top-tier faculty; this is just another example of how Florida’s efforts are paying off,” said Chancellor Rodrigues of the State University System. “These rankings show our System’s commitment to invention, research, and innovation, which leads to increased commercialization for our local communities, our state, and the nation.”
The new rankings affirm one of the many reasons why Florida is the best state in the nation for higher education.
The rankings for the five State University System of Florida institutions are:
- University of Florida – ranked 13th, maintained ranking from 2023
- University of South Florida – ranked 26th, up from 34th in 2023
- University of Central Florida – ranked 34th, up from 52nd in 2023
- Florida International University – ranked 42nd, up from 57th in 2023
- Florida State University –ranked 55th, up from 90th in 2023
To view the full Top 100 Worldwide list, visit: https://academyofinventors.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2024-Top-100-US-Universities.pdf.
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About the Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted Utility Patents in 2023
The information provided in this list is based on data obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. For this report, a university is defined as an institution that has undergraduate degrees. Patents include only utility patents granted during the 2023 calendar year. All assignees are credited for patents when listed. The number of patents granted does not necessarily indicate the value of a university’s technology, the effectiveness of its research, or whether its patents will be successfully licensed and/or brought to market. This is a dynamic list of worldwide institution patents. Some universities may record patents under different, yet similar names or combine their patents under one foundation or trustee name. If you have questions, please contact: [email protected].
About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions worldwide. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI has a close partnership with the USPTO that is reflected in their joint mission to expand access to underrepresented individuals and institutions participating in the invention and innovation ecosystem. NAI is one of three honorific organizations, along with the National Medals Foundation and National Inventors Hall of Fame, working closely with the USPTO on many discovery and innovation support initiatives. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal, Technology and Innovation. www.academyofinventors.org.
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 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Florida has held the top spot in U.S. News & World Report for higher education since the inception of the rankings in 2017. 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 information, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.