Some academic citadels are built in scenic hills. Others in swamps.
The University of Florida has landed at No. 5 on Forbes’ 2026 list of the nation’s best public universities and No. 30 overall, the highest of any Sunshine State school.
The magazine praised UF for producing “successful, high-earning and influential graduates from all economic backgrounds, with less student debt,” highlighting the school’s strong return on investment. Its formula emphasized alumni salaries, outcomes for low-income students, and overall value.
The top public universities were led by the University of California-Berkeley (Go Bears), UCLA, UC-San Diego and the University of Michigan, followed by UF.
“This is proof that the University of Florida is going forward at full speed,” said Mori Hosseini, chair of the UF Board of Trustees. “UF is a gem – a powerhouse of research and economic development, and an outstanding investment for the state of Florida.”
UF Interim President Kent Fuchs added that the ranking reflects a surge in applications, research funding and fundraising. “The Forbes recognition, combined with our record-breaking year for research funding and increase in applications, shows just how much UF is thriving,” he said.
The university recently secured a record $1.33 billion in research funding in a single fiscal year and raised $560 million in new gifts and commitments. UF also drew a record 91,884 applications for about 7,500 seats in the Class of 2029, up 23% from the prior year and the most competitive pool in its history.
From the swamp to the summit (and with plenty of trophies along the way), the Gators are proving their bite extends far beyond the football field.
