Florida State University is one of the nation’s top 20 public universities in TIME’s inaugural ranking of America’s Best Colleges.

FSU ranked No. 17 among public universities and No. 53 overall in the 2026-2027 ranking, which places a strong emphasis on student outcomes and the value of a college education.

“Florida State is one of the most sought-after universities in America, and this new ranking confirms that we deliver exceptional value and outstanding results,” President Richard McCullough said. “We are competing with the best public universities in the nation, and we intend to keep climbing.”

TIME partnered with the research firm Statista to evaluate colleges based on student outcomes, learning environment and attractiveness to prospective students. The ranking includes the 500 institutions with the highest overall scores.

Student outcomes account for 75% of each university’s score. That category considers graduation rates, graduates’ earnings and return on education. TIME measures return on education by estimating how long it takes a graduate’s earnings advantage to offset the cost of attendance.

Florida State earned an overall score of 82.93. FSU received a score of 88.06 for student outcomes and 92.92 for attractiveness, a measure based on admission rates and enrollment yield that reflects how strongly students seek to attend an institution.

That demand is reflected in FSU’s record pool of nearly 97,000 applicants for fall 2026, a 233% increase over the past decade. The university welcomed about 6,000 new freshmen this fall, selected from one of the most competitive applicant pools in its history. The admitted class has an average high school GPA of 4.5, an average SAT score of 1430 and an average ACT score of 32. Ninety-two percent graduated in the top 10% of their high school classes, and 25% are the first in their families to attend college.

The ranking also adds to FSU’s record of strong student outcomes. FSU has a 97% first-year retention rate, placing it among the top four universities in the nation; a 78% four-year graduation rate; and an 86% six-year graduation rate.

“Demand for an FSU education has never been stronger, and our students succeed at rates that place us among the nation’s very best universities,” McCullough said. “Students want to be here because FSU offers an exceptional education, an unforgettable college experience and a clear path to a successful future.”

TIME and Statista used data from the U.S. Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard, along with state earnings data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The analysis relied on the most recent data available as of April 2026 and generally averaged four years of data to reduce annual fluctuations.

The complete ranking and methodology are available on TIME’s website.

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Florida State University’s College of Motion Picture Arts (FSUFilm) has extended its seven-year run as the nation’s No. 4 public film school while climbing to No. 13 overall in the Hollywood Reporter’s annual ranking of the nation’s best film schools. 

The annual ranking recognizes film schools that prepare students for careers in the entertainment industry through innovative programs, accomplished alumni and hands-on learning. FSUFilm moved up from No. 14 overall last year.

“The Hollywood Reporter’s recognition reflects the extraordinary creativity of our students, the dedication of our faculty and staff and Florida State University’s continued commitment to providing an exceptional film education,” said Reb Braddock, dean of the College of Motion Picture Arts. “As we enter the fourth year of our MFA Feature Film Program and introduce the M3 Project, we’re continuing to build on the innovation that has helped FSUFilm, as The Hollywood Reporter noted, ‘punch above its weight’ while preparing students for successful careers in the industry.” 

In its 2026 ranking, the Hollywood Reporter highlighted FSUFilm’s accomplished alumni, affordable tuition and innovative curriculum. The publication recognized the college’s optional third-year MFA Feature Film Program, now entering its fourth year, which gives graduate students the opportunity to pitch, direct and complete a fully financed feature film while second-year students gain professional production experience before graduation. 

This year, the college is also introducing the M3 Project, which gives graduate students the opportunity to explore serialized storytelling while building filmmaking skills in virtual production. 

The publication also noted the success of “NoSeeUms,” the first feature produced through the MFA Feature Film Program. The film is represented internationally by Odin’s Eye, secured domestic distribution through Quiver and is now streaming on Apple TV and Amazon. 

Among the recent alumni highlighted by the Hollywood Reporter were Academy Award winner Adele Romanski, producer of “Sorry, Baby;” Max Allman, an associate producer on the Best Picture Oscar nominee “Marty Supreme;” and Alex Ullom, whose directorial debut, “It Ends,” was acquired by Neon after its premiere at SXSW. 

Beyond the classroom, FSUFilm continues to expand opportunities for students through the Torchlight Studios Center for Cinematic Innovation. Renovations are underway on a new 43,242-square-foot facility that will house theaters, soundstages, virtual production space, post-production facilities and other resources supporting the college’s growing programs. 

FSUFilm also continues to offer one of the nation’s lowest costs of attendance among top-ranked film schools. Tuition includes access to industry-standard production equipment and expendable materials, allowing students to complete films without the additional production fees common at many film schools. 

Founded in 1989, the College of Motion Picture Arts has earned an international reputation for preparing students for careers in filmmaking through an intensive, collaborative curriculum centered on storytelling and hands-on production. 

For more information about the College of Motion Picture Arts, visit film.fsu.edu. 

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Florida State University’s education and educational research program ranks No. 25 globally, No. 2 among public universities in the United States and No. 1 in Florida in the 2026-27 Best Global Universities rankings released by U.S. News & World Report.

Florida State also ranked among the world’s top 100 institutions in psychiatry and psychology (No. 80), social sciences and public health (No. 89) and arts and humanities (No. 92).

The rankings evaluate more than 2,250 universities in more than 100 countries based on academic research performance and global and regional research reputation. The methodology emphasizes factors such as publications, citations and international collaboration.

“These rankings across crucial professions and disciplines reflect the quality of our faculty and the impact of their scholarship,” said Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark. “The recognition earned by our education program, along with strong performances in psychology, the social sciences and the humanities, demonstrates the public value proposition of the academic excellence across Florida State University.”

FSU’s performance reflects the university’s continued growth as a leading research institution. The university recorded a record $488 million in research expenditures, a 50 percent increase since 2021, and surpassed $1.2 billion in research funding proposals in 2025.

U.S. News uses data from Clarivate’s Web of Science Core Collection and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics to evaluate universities. The Best Global Universities rankings focus primarily on institutions’ research performance and scholarly impact rather than undergraduate education.

For more information and the complete rankings, visit the U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities website.

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Florida State University is ranked the No. 1 university in Florida for innovation and economic impact in TIME’S inaugural World’s Top Universities 2026 rankings.

The ranking highlights how effectively universities turn research into real-world results. It looks at things like patents, industry partnerships, commercialization and economic influence.

In this category, Florida State University places ahead of other Florida institutions and among the top universities nationally and worldwide.

In the innovation and economic impact category, FSU ranked:

• No. 1 in Florida.

• No. 18 among U.S. public universities.

• No. 35 among all U.S. universities, public and private.

• No. 60 globally out of 500 institutions assessed.

TIME’s innovation and economic impact pillar measures how universities translate knowledge into practical outcomes. The ranking considers the strength and global reach of a university’s patents, the influence of its research and innovation activity, the extent to which graduates move into leadership roles at major companies, and a university’s role in expanding access to education through online and open programs. Together, these measures reflect how universities contribute to economic growth and technological progress.

In TIME’s overall global rankings, FSU ranked:

• No. 195 among all universities, public and private, globally.

• No. 40 among U.S. public universities.

• No. 156 among public universities worldwide.

The TIME rankings were developed in partnership with Statista. Nearly 2,000 universities worldwide were evaluated, with the top 500 selected for inclusion.

The rankings are based on three weighted pillars:

• Academic capacity and performance (60%), which includes faculty excellence, research output, citations and academic strength.

• Innovation and economic impact (30%), which focuses on technology transfer, patents, commercialization, industry collaboration and economic contribution.

• Global engagement (10%), which measures international collaboration, mobility and global visibility.

The full rankings and methodology are available at TIME.

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Florida State University is one of the nation’s best colleges for students seeking a top-notch education with excellent career preparation and at an affordable price, according to The Princeton Review. FSU ranks No. 21 for “Best Value” among public schools in the education-services company’s Best Value Colleges for 2023. Read more …

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Four Florida State University online graduate programs placed among the Top 25 nationally — including two programs in the Top 5 — according to the 2023 U.S. News & World Report rankings released Tuesday.

FSU’s information technology and criminology online graduate programs each moved up one spot to No. 5 on the list of public and private universities, while the university’s non-MBA business programs ranked No. 21 and education checked in at No. 25.

“Whether our students are on campus or online, Florida State University is committed to providing an excellent education,” said Jim Clark, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “These rankings reflect the university’s rising reputation among its peers and the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff and university leadership.”

College of Communication and Information

The College of Communication and Information’s online master’s degree program in information technology inched one spot from last year’s ranking to No. 5 overall, while it maintained a No. 3 ranking among public institutions.

“Our faculty are serial innovators in online instruction and continually seek out ways to better serve students in online platforms and engagement,” said Interim Dean Steve McDowell. “The recognition for the School of Information online programs is well-deserved.”

College of Criminology and Criminal Justice

The College of Criminology and Criminal Justice’s online master’s in criminal justice program moved up a spot from 2022 to No. 5 among all universities and No. 4 among publics. Dean Thomas Blomberg credited the school’s faculty for the acknowledgment.

“Importantly, our online courses are taught by our regular faculty who are each productive and distinguished researchers who provide our students with state-of-the-art educational experiences,” Blomberg said.

College of Business

The College of Business’ non-MBA graduate online programs in management information systems and risk management and insurance combined to earn a No. 21 overall ranking and placed No. 16 among public universities. The online MBA program landed at No. 44 overall and No. 32 among public universities.

The college’s online MBA specialty in analytics jumped two spots to No. 13 overall and No. 9 among public universities.

“We use these rankings as a beneficial barometer of our daily efforts to provide students with a valuable graduate education,” said Michael Hartline, dean of the College of Business. “It is affirming to see that our team’s hard work continues to be highly regarded nationwide. We continue to aim even higher.”

College of Education

The College of Education’s online master’s program in education placed No. 25 nationally and No. 24 among public universities. Four of the college’s specialty programs are ranked inside the Top 10 overall: administration and supervision at No. 3; special education at No. 3; instructional media design at No. 7; and curriculum and instruction at No. 9.

“I am most grateful for our truly outstanding faculty, staff and students as they drive the outcomes that result in these elite rankings,” said Damon Andrew, dean of the College of Education. “I also want to particularly commend our special education and educational leadership online master’s programs for ranking in the top three in their respective fields.”

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s online master’s program in engineering, which started three years ago, made its debut in the U.S. News rankings at No. 49 among public programs and No. 62 overall.

“We are thrilled about the debut of our online engineering programs in the Top 50, so soon after the program’s inception,” said Zhiyong “Richard” Liang, the college’s interim associate dean for research and graduate studies. “This ranking is a testament to the quality of the programs and the hard work of our students, faculty and staff.”

Robert Fuselier, director of the Office of Distance Learning, provides leadership and strategic planning for the university’s distance learning services.

“It is exciting to follow the continued success of FSU’s online programs in the rankings,” he said. “We are proud of FSU’s community of talented students and faculty, and this recognition reflects our commitment toward the support and success of our online students.”

For more information about FSU’s online graduate programs, visit https://distance.fsu.edu/programs.

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