USF recognized in top 50 for several prestigious national and international rankings

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 8, 2020) – Newly released rankings place the University of South Florida among the nation’s top 50 public universities, further solidifying USF’s position as a leader in academic excellence and world-class research.  

USF’s new rankings include:

• No. 1 in Florida and No. 6 in the nation in the Times Higher Education (THE), 2020 Best Universities for Reducing Inequalities
• No. 30 in the Times Higher Education World University Ranking
• No. 37 in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU)
• No. 48 in the 2020 Washington Monthly National University Ranking

“Our rise in rankings reflects the University of South Florida’s lasting commitment to research and academic excellence,” USF President Steve Currall said. “As a world-class, global research university with regional, national and international partners, USF remains dedicated to student and faculty success.”

USF’s rise in national and international rankings supports the university’s long-term strategic goal of positioning for eligibility in the Association of American Universities (AAU).  The AAU is a group of the top 65 public and private universities in North America, of which only one Florida institution is a member.

Marking its highest placement in the ranking to date, USF’s No. 30 position among public U.S. universities in the THE World University Ranking places USF in the company of top U.S. universities. Of the 29 universities ranked higher than USF, 27 are public AAU institutions. USF places ahead of six public AAU institutions, including the University of Oregon, University of Kansas, Iowa State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, and Stonybrook University, and USF ties with the University of Iowa, University of California, Santa Cruz and the University of Utah.

Placement in these prominent rankings comes on the heels of USF’s June announcement of its No. 4 position among all U.S. universities, public or private, in the THE Golden Age Universities ranking, which compares the performance of institutions founded between 1945 and 1966.  In the same rankings, USF climbed 11 places to No. 27 in the world, the most improved of any university in the U.S.

“USF’s recognition for academic excellence and value is consistent with our pledge to access for success,” USF Provost and Executive Vice President Ralph Wilcox said. “We are proud of our record in delivering a competitive, globally minded education to our students in an interdisciplinary, research-intensive environment.”

Each ranking organization uses its own methodology when determining a university’s ranking, considering factors such as considering factors such as graduation and retention rates, faculty research output, awards received, student debt rates and job placement.

About the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida is a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF.

Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.