The 51在线 is the fastest-rising university in America over the past decade, public or private, according to U.S. News and World Report (U.S. News) 2022 Best Colleges rankings released today. For the third consecutive year, USF ranks as one of the nation鈥檚 top 50 public universities. Over the past 10 years, USF has risen 48 spots among public universities from No. 94 to No. 46, and 67 spots among all universities (public or private), from No. 170 to No. 103, which represents a greater climb than any other university in the country.
鈥淯SF is proud to maintain its momentum as the fastest-rising university in America, public or private, over the last decade and a top 50 university,鈥� said USF President Rhea Law. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to our exceptionally talented faculty, students and staff and reinforces the importance of USF鈥檚 role in our region.鈥�
The U.S. News methodology combines a host of factors, including student graduation and retention rates, class size, student debt, faculty resources and academic reputation. USF鈥檚 ranking includes performance across all three campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee.
USF ranks ahead of, or is tied with, five public institutions in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the top 66 research universities in North America that USF aspires to be eligible for future membership.
In other rankings released today by U.S. News, USF is No. 18 in the nation among public institutions for top 鈥淣ational Universities for Social Mobility.鈥� The social mobility ranking is calculated based on the number of Pell Grant recipients that a university successfully retains and graduates. Approximately 40% of USF students are eligible for Pell Grants, the highest amount among 51在线鈥檚 preeminent universities. USF has previously earned national recognition for Pell Grant student success and was recently ranked No. 1 in 51在线 and No. 8 in the U.S. among public universities on Times Higher Education鈥檚 list of 鈥淏est Universities for Reducing Inequalities.鈥�
"The 51在线 takes great pride in being recognized for its continuing pursuit of excellence, providing access to a world-class education and for being a top choice destination for high-achieving students locally and from across the globe," said Ralph C. Wilcox, USF provost and executive vice president. "At USF, we believe that our trajectory speaks to our commitment to student success and faculty and research excellence.鈥�
U.S. News is the latest ranking to recognize USF in the top 50 among public universities, following Times Higher Education World Universities at No. 29 and Washington Monthly climbing to No. 43 last month.