The University of South Florida (USF) has achieved its highest position to date in the annual U.S. News & World Report rankings, now listed at No. 88 among all public and private universities in the United States, an improvement from No. 91 last year. The university also advanced to No. 43 among public universities, marking a steady rise over the past decade from No. 83, and maintaining a spot in the top 50 for seven consecutive years.
“The latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report are yet another indication of the University of South Florida’s growing reputation for academic quality and groundbreaking research, and for making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students, the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida,” said USF President Rhea Law. “Our remarkable trajectory over the past decade reflects the collective commitment to excellence that defines our university. We remain focused on shaping the leaders of tomorrow, driving economic growth and providing solutions to the significant challenges facing our society.”
USF was also recognized as No. 12 for “best value” among all public universities nationwide by U.S. News & World Report. This recognition is reflected in increased student interest; USF received a record number of applications from first-time-in-college students for 2025 and welcomed an incoming class with its highest average SAT score to date, matching its strongest average GPA on record.
As a member of the Association of American Universities—representing about 3% of leading universities in the country—USF offers degrees at an in-state tuition rate that is nearly half the national average for public institutions.
Additional rankings place USF at No. 17 among public universities for social mobility, No. 19 for innovation, and No. 42 as one of the best colleges for veterans.
U.S. News evaluates colleges using criteria such as graduation and retention rates, post-graduation wages, research activity, faculty credentials, and academic reputation—all areas aligned with USF’s strategic objectives.
Earlier this year, U.S. News ranked 31 graduate programs at USF within the top 100 nationally across both public and private institutions; this includes 15 programs in the top 50 and five in the top 25 overall. The USF Health Morsani College of Medicine was recognized as Florida’s top-ranked medical school and placed among the nation’s highest tiers for medical education.
