Florida State University

Florida Ranked #1 Best State for Higher Education for 10th Straight Year

September 30, 2025 by: Lucas Lechuga

Florida State University

Florida has secured the No. 1 spot in U.S. News & World Report’s Best States for Higher Education for the tenth consecutive year—highlighting the state’s strategy of affordability, on-time graduation, and lower student debt across its public university system. Governor Ron DeSantis praised the milestone, noting that “Florida has held the #1 spot in higher education for ten years in a row and we have much more to do. Florida’s public universities offer the lowest in-state tuition in the country, allowing students to receive a quality education without a massive debt burden. More than three-quarters of Florida students graduate loan-free, and we ranked #1 for four-year graduation rates.” With seven Florida institutions now ranked among the Top 100 public universities nationwide, the state continues to prove that academic achievement and affordability can go hand in hand.

Why Florida Keeps the Top Spot

  • Affordability: Among the lowest in-state tuition and fees in the country.
  • On-time Completion: High four-year graduation rates across the system.
  • Lower Debt Burden: A large share of students graduating without loans.

These outcomes reflect a statewide focus on performance funding, accountability, and cost containment across the 12-university State University System.

Seven Florida Public Universities in the U.S. News Top 100 (Public)

Florida reached a new milestone this cycle with seven public universities ranked among the nation’s Top 100 public universities.

Institution Top Public Rank (2026) Notes
University of Florida (UF) #7 Top-10 public for eight consecutive years.
Florida State University (FSU) #21 Up two spots year-over-year.
University of South Florida (USF) #43 Up two spots; also noted for value and innovation.
Florida International University (FIU) #46 Recognized for social mobility.
University of Central Florida (UCF) #57 Up four spots year-over-year.
Florida A&M University (FAMU) #92 Also #1 Public HBCU seven years running.
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) #100 Debuts in the Top 100 (up three spots).

Source: Florida Board of Governors

What It Means for Students & Families

  • Value: Lower costs plus strong outcomes can reduce or eliminate student debt.
  • Access: More institutions climbing in national rankings expands high-quality choices across the state.
  • Momentum: Continued improvement supports talent attraction, research growth, and career pipelines in Florida.
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