The University of South Florida (USF) has been recognised as one of the best-value universities in the United States, earning top marks across several national rankings for academic quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes. In Money’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, USF received 4.5 out of five stars, tying for the highest rating among Florida’s public universities. …
USF recognised among America’s best-value universities
The University of South Florida (USF) has been recognised as one of the best-value universities in the United States, earning top marks across several national rankings for academic quality, affordability, and graduate outcomes.
In Money’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings, USF received 4.5 out of five stars, tying for the highest rating among Florida’s public universities. The rankings evaluate more than 700 institutions using 25 indicators, including graduation rates, tuition costs, student debt, financial aid, and alumni earnings.
USF also ranked No. 11 among U.S. public universities for value in SmartAsset’s latest rankings and No. 24 among public universities in Niche’s national rankings, where it received an overall A+ grade for academics, student experience, campus life, and faculty quality.
The university’s strong performance is underpinned by affordability. USF said its in-state tuition is nearly 50% below the U.S. national average, while 76% of students graduate without student debt.
Founded in 1956, USF has grown into one of the nation’s leading public research universities. Today, it enrols more than 50,000 students across its campuses and is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)—an invitation-only group representing the top 3% of research universities in the United States.
USF President Moez Limayem said the latest rankings reflect the university’s commitment to delivering both academic excellence and affordability.
“These rankings demonstrate that it is possible to deliver an exceptional educational experience, conduct world-class research, and remain affordable to students,” Limayem said.
The university also continues to climb in broader national rankings. U.S. News & World Report recently ranked USF No. 43 among public universities and No. 88 nationally across all public and private institutions—its highest-ever position. The publication also ranked USF No. 12 for Best Value and No. 17 among public universities for social mobility.
With access to undergraduate research, internships, experiential learning, and industry partnerships, USF continues to position itself as a destination for students seeking a high-quality education with strong career outcomes and lower levels of graduate debt.
