UM and FAMU jump in U.S. News rankings, while most Florida universities slip

Education admin September 25, 2026 0 Comments

UM and FAMU jump in U.S. News rankings, while most Florida universities slip

The University of Miami leapt nine spots to become Florida’s second-highest ranking school in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings of all American colleges and universities.

The Coral Gables school climbed from number 64 in last year’s rankings to 55 overall among both private and public universities this year.

The University of Florida retained its top spot in the state, but fell somewhat in the overall and public institution rankings — from 30th to 34th overall and from seventh to eighth among public institutions. Meanwhile, Florida State University fell from 51 to 59 overall, making it the third-highest ranking school in the state.

Florida International University remained in the top 100 overall, but fell somewhat in the rankings. Last year, it was 97th and this year it ranks 100th, tied with seven other schools, including the University of South Florida.

Along with UM, another Florida school that took a notable upward leap in the rankings was Florida A&M University, which rose 12 spots overall and 13 in the rankings of public universities.

“Moving 13 places to No. 79 and rising to the Top 80 among the nation’s public universities is a meaningful achievement, but it is also a reflection of the determination of our faculty, staff and students to pursue excellence in everything we do,” FAMU President Marva Johnson wrote in a statement emailed to the Tallahassee Democrat.

Even though FIU, Miami-Dade’s largest institution of higher education by far, dropped a few spots in the overall national rankings, its place among Florida universities rose. It’s now tied with the University of South Florida in Tampa as the fifth-higest ranked school in the state.

Among public universities, FIU’s ranking remains unchanged at 46, something FIU President Jeanette Nuñez took note of at a meeting of the Faculty Senate Tuesday.

“We ranked number 46 amongst public universities and are still top 100 overall. This marks the third consecutive year that FIU hits the top 50 — not an easy accomplishment. And I will state, this is not a negative against our brothers and sisters in the state university system, but we are the only preeminent institution of the five… that did not decline in our rankings. All the other four institutions, including UF, FSU, UCF, and USF — they lowered in their rankings in U.S. News and World Report,” Nuñez said.

Florida State went from 21st to 24th in the rankings of public universities, tied with five other schools.

In a release, the university suggested its drop might be the result of a change in the formula U.S. News & World Report uses for its rankings. The outlet removed student debt from its formula, an area where FSU claims it had performed quite well and buoyed it in the rankings.

“Under the new calculation, FSU’s ranking among national public universities dropped three spots despite gains across all previously measured metrics, including first-year retention rate, six-year graduation rate and the six-year Pell recipient graduation rate,” the release reads.

Here’s a complete rundown of how each school moved in the rankings:

UF: 30 to 34 overall; 7 to 8 public
University of Miami: 64 to 55 overall
FSU: 51 to 59 overall; 21 to 24 public
FIU: 97 to 100 overall; remained 46th public
USF: 88 to 100 overall; 43 to 46 public
UCF: 117 to 121 overall; 57 to 58 public
FAMU: 168 to 156 overall; 92 to 79 public
FAU: 183 to 191 overall; 100 to 99 public

This story was originally published September 25, 2026 at 4:30 AM with the headline “UM and FAMU jump in U.S. News rankings, while most Florida universities slip.”