From Althea Johnson, University communication and university marketing

For the sixth consecutive year, the University of South Florida is among the top 50 public universities in America, according to U.S. News & World Report’s annual rankings of the best colleges. In the rankings released today, USF ranks 45th among public universities and 91st among all public and private universities. Over the past 10 years, USF has moved up an impressive 39 spots among public universities, from 84th to 45th, and 65 spots among all universities, from 156th to 91st.

“The University of South Florida’s continued success as a top 50 public university underscores the strong return on investment that a degree from our institution provides our students and the impact we have on the Tampa Bay region, our state and beyond,” said USF President Rhea Law. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and collective efforts of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, partners and all who support our university.”

U.S. News also ranks USF as the “best value” university among all public and private universities in Florida for the second year in a row. USF offers the opportunity to earn a degree from a highly ranked institution that is a member of the Association of American Universities, a group of the top 3% of universities in the U.S. and Canada. Costs for in-state students are nearly half the national average for public universities. USF’s value for money helped it attract a record number of undergraduate applications this year, a 35% increase from three years ago.

Isadora Caswell-Wallace, a senior from Cape Coral majoring in finance and management, said USF was one of her first choices, in part because of the quality of education and affordability. “Because I receive in-state tuition, a Bright Futures scholarship and a significant amount of grant money, I’m excited to say I’ll have not one, but two bachelor’s degrees — and debt-free,” she said. Caswell-Wallace hopes to earn her master’s in USF’s Vinik Sport & Entertainment Management Program.

US News also ranks USF 22nd nationally for social mobility. According to US News, social mobility measures an institution’s success in recruiting graduates from Pell Grant recipients.

The publication’s methodology for its top college rankings takes into account numerous factors that also align with USF’s mission and strategic goals, including student graduation and retention rates, student-to-faculty ratio, graduate employability, research activity, faculty excellence and academic reputation.

Today’s announcement from U.S. News follows other recent recognitions from major publications. Among public universities, USF was ranked 22nd nationally last month by Washington Monthly, while Forbes ranked USF 41st (up 22 spots from last year) and Princeton Review ranked it 38th on its list of colleges with the best value.