18 FL Colleges Among Best In America, U.S. News Says In New Ranking

FLORIDA — Eighteen Florida colleges were ranked among the top 100 in the country, according to new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report.

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Florida schools:

• University of Florida, No. 30 (tied)
• Florida State University, No. 54 (tied)
• University of Miami, No. 63 (tied)
• University of South Florida, No. 91 (tied)
• Florida International University, No. 98 (tied)
• University of Central Florida, No. 121 (tied)
• Florida A&M University, No. 152 (tied)
• Florida Atlantic University, No. 189 (tied)
• Florida Institute of Technology, No. 231 (tied)
• Nova Southeastern University, No. 231 (tied)
• University of North Florida, No. 231 (tied)
• Keiser University, No. 288 (tied)
• Florida Gulf Coast University, No. 296 (tied)
• Palm Beach Atlantic University, No. 377 (tied)
• Barry University, No. 392-434 (tied)
• Saint Leo University, No. 392-434 (tied)
• Southeastern University, No. 392-434 (tied)
• St. Thomas University, No. 392-434 (tied)

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

Rollins College in Winter Park is the second-best regional university in the South, per the ranking. Also in the top 10 are Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University -- Daytona Beach and Stetson University.

As for regional colleges, Florida Polytechnic University (No. 2), Flagler College (No. 3) and Beacon College (No. 9) were among the top 10.

The top national universities are:

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University in Massachusetts
4. Stanford University in California
5. Yale University in Connecticut

The top national liberal arts colleges are:

1. Williams College in Massachusetts
2. Amherst College in Massachusetts
3. Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
4. United States Naval Academy in Maryland
5. Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)