TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s public universities continue to shine in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report as a top two state for the number of public national universities ranked in the top 100. Florida has maintained four schools in the top 50 for national public universities, and a record-breaking seven institutions in the top 100, with Florida Atlantic University making its debut on this list.
“The State University System of Florida has proven once again why we remain the #1 public university system in the nation,” said State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “As we continue to build upon the collective strengths of our 12 institutions, our System delivers meaningful impact for students, faculty, and the state’s economic prosperity. The U.S. News & World Report rankings underscore these continued successes and ongoing efforts.”
“This year’s rankings reflect the unwavering commitment of Florida’s public universities to delivering academic excellence and world-class faculty expertise,” said Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb. “These remarkable outcomes affirm the hard work and dedication of our university trustees, faculty, students, and staff across the state. On behalf of the Board of Governors, I applaud their efforts and extend our appreciation to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for their steadfast support and investment in higher education.”
2026 Best Colleges Rankings: Public
- University of Florida – #7
- Florida State University – #21, up 2 spots
- University of South Florida – #43, up 2 spots
- Florida International University – #46
- University of Central Florida – #57, up 4 spots
- Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University – #92
- Florida Atlantic University – #100, up 3 spots
2026 Regional Public Colleges: South
- Florida Polytechnic University – #1 for five consecutive years
2026 Regional Public Universities: South
- University of West Florida – #6, up 4 spots
2026 Public Liberal Arts Colleges
- New College of Florida – #10
Additional Highlights
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University
- #1 Public HBCU for seven consecutive years
Florida International University
- #1 in the nation for social mobility
Florida Polytechnic University
- #2 Regional college among both public and private universities
- #3 Best value public schools in the South
- Top 30 undergraduate engineering program in the nation for public schools without a PhD
Florida State University
- #12 Public universities in the nation for first-year experiences
University of Florida
- Top 10 public universities in the nation for eight consecutive years
University of South Florida
- Top 50 public universities in the nation for five consecutive years
- #12 Best value public universities in the nation
- #19 Most innovative schools in the nation
University of West Florida
- Top 10 best colleges for veterans for regional universities: South
“Florida Atlantic’s ascent into the U.S. News Top 100 Public Schools ranking is a milestone that reflects the extraordinary momentum and impact our university has built over the years, defined by excellence, innovation and opportunity,” said FAU President Adam Hasner. “I am proud to celebrate this achievement with our students, alumni, donors, faculty, staff and community, whose hard work and dedication have propelled our rise as a national leader in higher education. With this bold trajectory, Florida Atlantic will continue to accelerate, transforming lives through student success, innovative research and social mobility.”
“We are proud to see UWF recognized at its highest ranking yet, a reflection of our exceptional programs, dedicated faculty and staff, and outstanding students,” said UWF Interim President Manny Diaz Jr. “This achievement underscores our continued momentum and commitment to excellence. We are grateful to our Board of Trustees, the Florida Board of Governors and the Florida Legislature for their support in helping us reach new heights.”
“FIU is on a clear path to becoming a Top 30 public university by 2030,” said FIU President Jeanette M. Nuñez. “We continue to lead in academics, research, student success, and upward economic mobility.”
U.S. News & World Report uses key metrics to determine the Best Colleges rankings among nearly 1,500 institutions, including graduation rates, social mobility, student debt, retention rates, and academic reputation.
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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.