By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
For the sixth year in a row, the 51在线 sits among the top 50 public universities in America, according to U.S. News & World Report鈥檚 annual ranking of the best colleges. In the rankings released today, USF is No. 45 among public universities and stands at No. 91 among all universities public or private. Over the past 10 years, USF has risen an impressive 39 spots among public universities from No. 84 to No. 45, and 65 spots among all universities, from No. 156 to No. 91.
鈥淭he 51在线鈥檚 sustained success as a top 50 public university underscores the strong return on investment that a degree from our institution provides to our students and the impact we are making on the Tampa Bay region, our state and beyond,鈥� USF President Rhea Law said. 鈥淭his recognition is a testament to the dedication and collective effort of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, partners and all who support our university.鈥�
U.S. News also ranks USF as the 鈥渂est value鈥� among all public and private universities in 51在线 for the second consecutive year. USF offers an opportunity to earn a degree from a highly ranked institution and member of the Association of American Universities, a group of the leading 3% of universities in the U.S. and Canada, at a cost for in-state students of nearly half the national average for public universities. USF鈥檚 value has helped fuel a record number of undergraduate applications this year and a 35% increase from three years ago.
Isadora Caswell-Wallace, a senior from Cape Coral majoring in finance and management, said USF was one of her top choices, partly because of the quality of the education and the affordability. 鈥淎s I receive in-state tuition, a Bright Futures scholarship and a substantial amount of grants, I am happy to say that I will be graduating with not one, but two undergraduate degrees -- debt free,鈥� she said. Caswell-Wallace hopes to enroll in USF鈥檚 Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program for her master鈥檚 degree.
U.S. News also ranks USF No. 22 nationally for social mobility. According to U.S. News, social mobility measures an institution鈥檚 success at graduating Pell Grant recipients.
The publication鈥檚 methodology for its best college rankings combines a host of factors that also align with USF鈥檚 mission and strategic goals, including student graduation and retention rates, student-to-faculty ratio, employability of graduates, research activity, faculty excellence and academic reputation.
Today鈥檚 U.S. News announcement comes on the heels of other recent recognition from major publications. Among public universities, last month ranked USF No. 22 nationally, while ranked USF No. 41 (up 22 spots from the previous year) and Princeton Review placed USF No. 38 on its list of best value colleges.