The State University System of Florida has announced that several of its universities have received national recognition in the 2025 College Guide and Rankings published by Washington Monthly.
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues commented on the achievement, stating, “This year, Florida’s universities are once again recognized as world-class institutions. The Washington Monthly rankings point to key strategies that make our institutions national leaders in higher education: low-cost, high-value degrees, a focus on ensuring students have clear, immediate pathways to careers or continued education, and merit-based aid that supports high-achieving students in reaching their higher education goals. Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we have prioritized quality education over indoctrination, holding our universities to the highest standards in every aspect, from curriculum to faculty, so that students and their families can feel confident in their decision to join the best State University System in the nation.”
Washington Monthly evaluates colleges based on their impact for students and the economy. The rankings consider factors such as access, affordability, and student outcomes.
Two universities from Florida—the University of Central Florida and Florida Atlantic University—were listed among the top 25 Best-in-Class Colleges nationally. In addition to this recognition, multiple State University System institutions appeared across other categories.
In the “Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Southeast,” ten SUS schools were ranked within the top 50. Florida International University placed first, followed by University of Central Florida at second and New College of Florida at third. Other schools included in this category were Florida Atlantic University (fifth), University of Florida (sixth), University of South Florida (eighth), Florida State University (thirteenth), University of North Florida (eighteenth), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (thirty-third), University of West Florida (thirty-sixth), and Florida Gulf Coast University (forty-sixth).
Several universities also appeared in the “Best Colleges for Your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars” list. These included Florida International University at eighth place, University of Central Florida at seventeenth, New College of Florida at twenty-fifth, and others.
Additional notable placements include the University of Florida ranking among the top 30 Best Colleges for Research. Several other state universities were listed among the top 100 research colleges. New College of Florida was recognized as a top 10 Liberal Arts College while the University of West Florida was ranked within the top 75 Master’s Universities.
The full rankings are available through Washington Monthly’s annual College Guide and Rankings website.
