The University of Florida has once again been recognized among the nation’s leading public institutions, earning the No. 7 spot in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings. This marks the eighth consecutive year UF has remained in the top 10.



“UF’s ranking among the very best public universities in the country reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students and the strong support we receive from the state of Florida, for which we are grateful,” said Mori Hosseini, chair of UF’s Board of Trustees. “Once again, this is proof positive that the University of Florida’s future is as bright as it ever was. We refuse to slow down.”

UF also placed No. 30 overall among all universities, public and private, underscoring its growing reputation for academic excellence, innovative research, and student achievement. The university was recently ranked among the top five institutions by Forbes, further elevating its national profile.

“UF’s standing reflects a decade of concerted effort, supported by historic state investment and federal research funding, leading to stronger student outcomes, inspired research accomplishments and ever-greater impact on the economy of Florida,” UF Interim President Donald Landry said. “Our future is one of thriving students, groundbreaking research and signal service to our state, because fortune favors the bold.”

Rankings from U.S. News & World Report are based on several measures, including graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, and financial strength. The full list is available at usnews.com/best-colleges.