Is UF no longer in the top 5?

Yes, the University of Florida (UF) is generally no longer in the top 5 for public universities in major rankings like U.S. News & World Report, having recently held the No. 7 spot for 2026 rankings after slipping from previous years, though some other rankings, like Forbes, still place it around No. 5, and UF remains a consistent top 10 public university.

Is the UF a top 5 university?

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, University of Florida is ranked No. #30 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. #7 in Top Public Schools. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,573 (fall 2024), its setting is city, and the campus size is 2,000 acres.

Why did the UF ranking go down?

The change in the Journal's rankings may come from its change in methodology. The biggest change in UF's score was under salary impact, where UF's 2024 score was 84, while its 2025 score dropped to 55. In 2024, salary impact was calculated using a graduate's estimated salary based on their demographic profile.

Is the UF turning into an Ivy League?

Forbes names the University of Florida a “New Ivy” for its output of outstanding graduates. The University of Florida has been recognized by Forbes as one of 10 public “New Ivies” for producing exceptional and highly employable graduates. UF is the only Florida institution on the list.

Is it harder to get into FSU or UF?

The University of Florida (UF) is generally harder to get into than Florida State University (FSU) due to its lower acceptance rate (around 23-24% vs. FSU's 25-36%) and higher average GPA/test scores for admitted students, making UF more competitive, especially for STEM, while FSU also remains selective but rewards strong narratives and involvement more. 

Gov. DeSantis congratulates University of Florida for Top 5 ranking

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

Is it harder to get into UF or Harvard?

It is significantly harder to get into Harvard University than the University of Florida (UF), with Harvard's acceptance rate around 3-4% compared to UF's roughly 24%, meaning Harvard is extremely selective, while UF is also selective but offers a much higher chance of admission, especially for strong Florida residents. Harvard generally requires higher standardized test scores (SAT ~1550 vs. UF ~1400) and boasts immense global prestige, though UF is recognized as a strong public "New Ivy". 

What are the 63 hidden Ivies?

The 63 "Hidden Ivies" are a list of excellent, selective colleges outside the traditional Ivy League, known for strong academics, often with liberal arts focuses, broken down into Northeast (37), South (12), Midwest (11), and West (3) regions, including schools like Amherst, Williams, Carleton, Duke, Emory, Stanford, Pomona, and UChicago, offering Ivy-level education without the traditional Ivy League name. 

What is the hardest college to get into in Florida?

The hardest college to get into in Florida is typically the University of Miami (UM), a private research university, consistently cited as the most selective with acceptance rates around 19%, though public universities like the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) are also very competitive, with UF often considered the toughest major public option. UF and FSU are challenging due to strong academics and high applicant volumes, with UF having lower acceptance rates (around 23-24%) and strong SAT/ACT scores for admitted students. 

Is UF or FSU more prestigious?

Generally, the University of Florida (UF) holds higher overall national prestige and rankings, often considered the top public university in Florida, particularly strong in STEM and health fields, while Florida State University (FSU) offers significant prestige with excellent programs, especially in law, social sciences, and education, often praised for its campus vibe and personal approach, making the choice dependent on major and preference. UF typically has higher admission standards (GPA/test scores). 

What is the easiest college in Florida to get into?

Easy colleges to get into in Florida often include community and state colleges with very high or 100% acceptance rates, like Broward College, Daytona State, Valencia College, and Hillsborough Community College, as well as some private universities with higher rates such as Keiser University, Palm Beach Atlantic, and Saint Leo University. These institutions focus on accessibility, offering diverse programs, and serve a large portion of Florida's students seeking two-year degrees or a pathway to four-year universities. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is UF or USF better?

Neither UF nor USF is definitively "better" as it depends on your priorities; UF (University of Florida) generally ranks higher overall, offers more resources as the state's flagship, and has stronger national prestige (like SEC sports), while USF (University of South Florida) shines in specific health sciences (like Nursing/Med School), offers potentially more local Tampa Bay opportunities, and can feel like a smaller, more personal university, with USF often being more affordable and easier to get into based on acceptance rates, according to sources like U.S. News, CampusReel, WUSF, and Reddit. 

What is the #1 college in Florida?

There isn't one single "#1" university in Florida, as rankings vary by publication, but the University of Florida (UF) and Florida International University (FIU) frequently top different lists, with UF often leading as a top public university nationally and FIU sometimes ranked #1 within Florida by sources like The Wall Street Journal, emphasizing student outcomes and return on investment. Other strong contenders often include Florida State University (FSU) and the University of South Florida (USF). 

Is UF an elite school?

Dear UF community, Today, the @WSJ published an editorial titled “The University Elite, Reconsidered.” The editorial highlights a new ranking that puts the University of Florida at No. 1 among 100 U.S. colleges and universities, public and private.

What is the easiest ivy to get in to?

While all Ivy League schools are highly selective, Cornell University is generally considered the "easiest" to get into due to having the highest acceptance rate (around 8-9%), partly because it's the largest Ivy with diverse colleges, like the less competitive Agriculture and Life Sciences, though its engineering programs are tough. Dartmouth College and Brown University often follow as the next most accessible Ivies, while Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia are typically the most difficult, with lower acceptance rates. 

What is a little ivy?

The Little Ivies are an unofficial group of small, academically competitive private liberal arts colleges in the Northeastern United States.

What is the most prestigious non-Ivy League school?

There isn't one single "most prestigious" non-Ivy League school, but Stanford University, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the University of Chicago are consistently ranked at the very top, often considered alongside or even above many Ivies due to their exceptional academics, research, and selectivity. Other top contenders include Caltech, Northwestern University, Duke University, and strong public universities like UC Berkeley and UCLA. 

Is a degree from UF respected?

University of Florida Rankings

Ranked #1 among the top universities, public and private, in the U.S. by The Wall Street Journal. Ranked #5 public university in the country by Forbes. Ranked #7 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report.

Who is Harvard's biggest rival?

The Harvard and Yale football rivalry, known as "The Game," is the second-oldest continuing rivalry in college football. The Crimson and Bulldogs are the two winningest teams in the FCS, have 26 national championships, two Heisman winners and 34 Ivy League crowns.

Is UF as good as an ivy?

The University of Florida (UF) is considered as good as, or even better than, some Ivies in terms of producing highly employable graduates, with Forbes naming it a "New Ivy" for its strong return on investment, high earning potential, and sought-after graduates, challenging the traditional Ivy League's prestige in the job market. While Ivies offer unique histories and networks, UF competes strongly in academics, diversity, and career outcomes, attracting high-achievers and offering great value, making it a top-tier public university comparable to elite private schools.
 

Where do most billionaires go to college?

American universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Penn lead in producing billionaire alumni. Most wealth comes from technology startups and entrepreneurial ventures (e.g., Microsoft, Google, DoorDash, Baidu).

What might a $300,000 college cost a $200,000 family?

A $200,000 income family might pay anywhere from $20,000 to over $40,000 annually for a $300,000 (total) college, depending heavily on the school's financial aid policies (needs-based vs. merit-based), the CSS Profile vs. FAFSA, and if the school uses home equity, but many selective schools offer substantial aid, reducing the cost significantly below sticker price. Expect aid to be around 10-25% of the total cost, with specific contributions varying by institution. 

Where do the Kardashians' kids go to school?

Kim Kardashian's children (North, Saint, Chicago, Psalm West) and Kourtney Kardashian's kids (Mason, Penelope, Reign Disick) have attended the prestigious Sierra Canyon School, a private, college-preparatory school known for its celebrity student body in the Los Angeles area, though specific attendance can change. The school offers strong academics and diverse programs for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.