USF Ranked Among Nation’s Top 50 Public Universities for Eighth Consecutive Year

The University of South Florida (USF) has been ranked among the nation’s top 50 public universities for the eighth consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report.

USF ranked No. 46 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings and No. 100 among all public and private universities nationwide.

For the fifth consecutive year, USF ranked among the top 100 universities overall. Over the past 15 years, the university has risen 48 spots among public universities.

“Year after year, the University of South Florida has been recognized for our academic and research strengths as well as the significant and growing impact we have across Florida and beyond,” USF President Moez Limayem said in a press release. “But what matters just as much is the value of a USF degree. These rankings reflect our commitment to providing an exceptional education for our students that allows them to succeed.”

U.S. News also ranked USF 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.

“This milestone reflects USF’s rise as one of the nation’s leading public research universities,” USF Provost and Executive Vice President Prasant Mohapatra said in a press release. “These honors validate our dedication to student success, groundbreaking research and creating meaningful impact for the communities we serve.”

The 2026 incoming class was also the most academically accomplished in USF history, with record-high GPAs, SAT scores and numbers of National Merit Scholars.

USF was also ranked No. 23 among public universities by Niche. Money awarded USF 4.5 out of 5 stars, making it one of the highest-rated public universities in Florida.

The university serves about 50,000 students from across the world and is a top-ranked research university. USF officials said the university generates nearly $10 billion in annual economic impact for Florida.