Ranking of the University of South Florida
Academic Rankings
National Rankings
- Forbes: #118
- U.S. News & World Report: #89
- Washington Monthly: #51
- WSJ/College Pulse: #271
Global Rankings
- QS: #563
- Times Higher Education (THE): #251–300
- U.S. News & World Report: #317
For the 2023–2024 academic year, U.S. News & World Report ranked the University of South Florida (USF) #89 among Tier I National Universities and #45 among public universities. USF was recognized as the fastest-rising university in America, climbing 84 spots in the overall rankings and 58 spots among public institutions over the past decade.
Within Florida, USF ranked #4 overall and #3 among public universities. Additionally, USF was the only Florida institution to make the Top 10 Best Value Colleges, placing #8 among public universities. The university also ranked:
- #17 overall in the nation
- #12 among public institutions nationwide
- #1 in Florida for Social Mobility
According to Niche (2023 rankings):
- #19 among top public universities in the U.S.
- #67 among the best colleges nationwide
- Highly ranked academic programs:
- #6 in Education
- #10 in Criminal Justice
- #12 in Information Technology
- #18 in Accounting & Finance
- #25 in Nursing
Colleges
USF is home to 14 colleges, including:
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
- Muma College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Patel College of Global Sustainability
- College of Graduate Studies
- Judy Genshaft Honors College
- College of Marine Science
- Morsani College of Medicine
- College of Nursing
- Taneja College of Pharmacy
- College of Public Health
- College of The Arts
Faculty
As of Fall 2022, USF had over 15,000 instructional faculty, with a 22:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Approximately 86% of full-time faculty members held the highest degree in their respective fields. The university also employed more than 1,500 adjunct professors, 300 postdoctoral scholars, 2,000 graduate assistants, and 3,000 student assistants.
USF faculty members have received over 200 prestigious awards, including Fulbright, National Science Foundation, AAAS, Guggenheim, and National Endowment for the Humanities fellowships. Notably, in 2012, mechanical engineering professor Autar Kaw was one of only four recipients of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and CASE U.S. Professor of the Year award.
Graduation
USF held its first Commencement ceremony in 1963, conferring 325 degrees. Today, the university awards over 13,000 degrees annually. Commencement ceremonies occur three times a year (Fall, Spring, and Summer), with Spring ceremonies being the largest, featuring five separate events.
Graduation ceremonies take place at the Yuengling Center. Since 2013, graduate names have been announced by Jim Louk, USF’s Associate Athletic Director and the “Voice of the Bulls” for football and basketball radio broadcasts.