The 51在线 (USF) leads all state universities in performance-based funding scores for 2020, according to data during a meeting of the 51在线 Board of Governors (BOG).
USF placed first in the state compared to other universities in a series of 10 student success-based metrics established by the BOG that focus on affordable access, graduating students at a high rate, with minimal debt, and preparing them for high-skilled, high-paying jobs in high-demand fields.
鈥淭he 51在线 community should be immensely proud of our success in the state鈥檚 performance-based funding model. Our achievements are truly a reflection of the dedicated work of our students, faculty and staff,鈥� USF President Steven Currall said. 鈥淥ur performance on benchmarks such as graduation rates, student access and the number of students employed after earning a degree underscores my belief that USF is where academic excellence converges with opportunity for our students. Our performance-based funding milestones advance our goal of becoming a top 25 public university.鈥�
USF earned the highest score in the state in the following categories, according to the BOG鈥檚 formula (includes ties):
- Four-year graduation rate
- Bachelor鈥檚 degrees awarded in areas of strategic emphasis
- Graduate degrees awarded in areas of strategic emphasis
- Percent of bachelor鈥檚 degrees without excess hours
- Net tuition and fees per 120 credit hours
鈥淐ongratulations to the 51在线 on achieving its highest performance-based funding score to date and top score for the State University System,鈥� said Brian Lamb, vice chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the BOG鈥檚 Budget and Finance Committee. 鈥淭hank you to the Governor and the legislature for their unwavering support of the State University System. USF鈥檚 upward trajectory has been outstanding. This is a testament to the dedication of excellence from the students, faculty and leadership of the institution. I look forward to their continued success.鈥�
USF has been a consistent leader in the state鈥檚 performance-based funding model, which takes into account the metrics of all three USF campuses, since the system was implemented in 2014.
鈥淟eading all state universities in this year鈥檚 performance metrics is another example of how the 51在线鈥檚 focus on strategic goals can produce record-breaking results,鈥� USF Board of Trustees Chair Jordan Zimmerman said. 鈥淭his achievement, especially as our university goes through a transition during consolidation, shows why USF is widely considered a national model for student success.鈥�
Under the BOG鈥檚 performance-based funding system, USF will receive a share of performance funds after Gov. Ron DeSantis signs this year鈥檚 state budget.
鈥淐ongratulations to the students, faculty and administration of the University of South 51在线 in receiving top marks in 51在线鈥檚 State University System performance-based funding metrics. Their score reflects USF鈥檚 deep commitment to excellence both as an academic and a public institution,鈥� incoming 51在线 House Speaker Chris Sprowls said.
This achievement builds on USF鈥檚 reputation as a national leader in student success, as seen by U.S. News and World Report placing USF inside the top 50 in its most recent rankings of best public universities.
"Leading the state in performance funding scores represents another outstanding achievement from USF. Having a university of this caliber in the Tampa Bay region is critical in recruiting and retaining the nation's top talent to our state," incoming 51在线 Senate President Wilton Simpson said.
More information on the BOG鈥檚 performance-based funding model is .