UF tops in Florida, UM, FSU tied for No. 2, new college rankings show

The University of Florida (UF) has taken the top spot among Sunshine State schools in the latest U.S. News and World Report college rankings.

UF came in at No. 34 overall, tied with the University of California-Santa Barbara. But it was ranked as the seventh-best public school in the nation.

U.S. News also ranked UF highly in other categories, placing its real estate program seventh as well. The UF marketing program ranked 10th, while its accounting and biological/agricultural programs both placed 11th in the country.

Mori Hosseini, chairman of the UF Board of Trustees, released remarks after the rankings were released.

“I am incredibly excited by this news. It clearly demonstrates that the University of Florida is on an unstoppable trajectory,” Hosseini said.

“We are tremendously grateful for the support of the Legislature and Gov. [Ron] DeSantis.”

UF President Kent Fuchs also added a statement.

“Our faculty and staff continue to do amazing work, and the latest U.S. News ranking is a wonderful affirmation of that,” Fuchs said.

“The rankings are also an indicator of our national stature among the nation’s very best research universities, the quality of the education our students are receiving and the steadily increasing value of a University of Florida degree.”

Following UF came Florida State University (FSU) and the University of Miami (UM). They tied for 57th in the overall list with three other universities.

FSU also earned some high marks for individual majors, with its insurance program ranking third and its real estate program ranking ninth in the nation. UM was also tied for the 30th best university in the country for veterans.

DeSantis spoke Monday about Florida schools’ performance.

“There’s no question Florida is a top-tier destination for tourism and economic growth,” DeSantis said.

“Now, these new rankings further solidify Florida as the number one public university system in the country – signaling to any potential employers and industry leaders that Florida will have the workforce and talent pool they need to thrive.”

The only other Florida colleges to place in the top 200 nationwide were the University of South Florida (USF) at No. 104 and the University of Central Florida (UCF) at No. 166.

USF also earned other accolades, with its students ranking 11th in social mobility. Meanwhile, UCF was dubbed the 16th most innovative school nationwide.

While Florida International University (FIU) placed 218th in the overall list, its international business program stood out, being ranked second in the entire country. Only the program at the University of South Carolina ranked above FIU’s.

FIU also ranked just behind USF in social mobility, coming in at No. 12.

“Our goal remains to be among the top 50 public universities in the nation within five years,” said FIU Provost and Executive Vice President Kenneth G. Furton.

“To get there, we have to continue to improve our overall student success performance and the individual program rankings. I know our work will pay off in the long-run.”

Princeton ranked No. 1 in the overall list, follow by Harvard and Columbia.