University of Florida continues to make gains in U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings

44 graduate programs now ranked in the top 20 among public universities

The University of Florida continues its upward momentum with 44 graduate programs ranked in the top 20 among public universities, according to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings, released today.

 The number of graduate programs that rank in the top 20 increased by 11, up from 33 one year ago. This includes 17 programs ranked in the top 10, up from 12 programs last year.

 “I am very pleased to see that the University of Florida is continuing to see improvement in its U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings,” UF President Kent Fuchs said. “It speaks to the tremendous work of our exceptional faculty and staff, but it is also a valuable indicator of strong student outcomes.”

U.S. News ranks some disciplines annually and others periodically. Of the programs that are ranked annually, 23 programs moved up this year in the national rankings (among all universities public and private):

Business – Marketing

Business – MBA part-time

Education – Overall

Education – Counseling

Education – Special Education

Engineering – Aerospace

Engineering – Biomedical

Engineering – Chemical

Engineering – Electrical

Engineering – Environmental

Engineering – Material

Engineering – Mechanical

Engineering – Nuclear

Law – Full-Time

Law – Clinical Training

Law – Environmental Law

Law – Health Care Law

Law – Intellectual Property Law

Law – International Law

Law – Legal Writing

Law – Trial Advocacy

Medical – Research

Medical – Primary Care

Rankings performance highlights include:

The Warrington College of Business’ marketing program rose five spots nationally, ranking No. 14 and is No. 5 out of public universities.

The College of Education continued its climb as a top program overall from No. 25 to No. 22 nationally and stands at No. 12 among top public colleges of education. The Counselor Education program moved up to No. 2 in the nation. The Special Education program rose to No. 5 nationally. Additionally, the college has been in the top one or two spots in the U.S. News rankings of America’s Best Online Graduate Education Programs since 2015.

All 12 programs in the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering continue to rank among the top 20 of public institutions. Chemical Engineering rose nine spots nationally and is ranked No. 23, and five spots among public universities, now ranked at No. 14. Environment and Electrical Engineering programs climbed eight and four spots respectively and both programs are ranked No. 27 nationally. 

In the College of Public Health & Health Professions, all six programs that were ranked were in the top 30 nationwide and also top 30 among public universities. The college’s occupational therapy program is No. 10 nationwide and No. 4 among public universities. 

The Levin College of Law continues its rise in the rankings to its highest-ever point, moving up another seven positions to No. 24 nationally. This new ranking marks a 24-point climb since 2016. Among its specialties, the trial advocacy program broke top five among public universities at No. 4, up seven spots from No. 11 last year, and ranked No. 25 nationally, up nine spots from No. 34. The tax law program still remains at No. 3 overall and No. 1 among public law schools. UF Law’s intellectual property law program moved up six spots to No. 29 among public universities.

Within UF Health, the university’s academic health center, The College of Medicine is ranked No. 40 in the nation and No. 18 among public medical schools for medical research.

The UF College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program remained the top-ranked DNP program in Florida and among the top 20 of public universities. The College of Nursing is ranked No. 28 among all nursing programs, including both public and private schools.

The College of Pharmacy is the No. 5 pharmacy program in the country. 

Veterinary Medicine, last ranked in the 2020 edition, is the No. 9 nationally, No. 7 among public universities. 

To learn more about the criteria used to calculate rankings, visit U.S. News Best Graduate Schools website, https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools.