USF Continues Top Rankings Among Public Universities
News related to:The University of South Florida · 2 min read
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The University of South Florida has once again been ranked among the top 50 public universities in America, marking the eighth consecutive year of such recognition. The latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings place USF at No. 46 among all public universities and at No. 100 among all public or private universities across the country. This ranking also marks the fifth straight year that USF has been among the top 100 universities overall.
Over the past 15 years, USF has risen 48 spots among public universities, moving from No. 94 to No. 46, and 70 spots among all universities, from No. 170 to No. 100. This upward trajectory is attributed to the university's academic and research strengths, as well as its significant and growing impact across Florida and beyond.
In other recent rankings, USF has been recognized for its excellence in several areas. The university is ranked No. 19 for social mobility, No. 25 for most innovative, No. 25 for "best value for in-state students," No. 28 for overall "best value," and No. 46 for best colleges for veterans. These rankings come as the university welcomed the most academically accomplished incoming class in its history, with record-high averages for high school GPA and SAT scores, as well as a record number of National Merit Scholars.
The rankings are based on a host of factors that align with USF's mission to support student success, including graduation rates, retention rates, and wages earned by graduates. The university's all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 further underscores its commitment to innovation and its ability to produce U.S. patents, making it a top 20 public university for producing such patents.
USF's academic and research achievements have also been recognized by other prestigious organizations. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report named USF as a top 50 public university for the eighth consecutive year. Additionally, USF's Morsani College of Medicine was ranked in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation. The university's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference.
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and USF Health. In 2026, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF as a top 50 public university for the eighth consecutive year. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference.