The University of Florida tumbled 33 spots in the Wall Street Journal’s latest ranking of the top public universities in the United States.
UF, which the Wall Street Journal in 2024 ranked No. 1 among public universities, plummeted to No. 34 in its 2025 ranking published last week. Among all universities, UF ranked No. 83 this year, down 68 spots from No. 15.
The Journal’s 2025 ranking included 500 public and private universities from across the country, up from 400 institutions ranked the previous year.
UF trumpeted its 2024 ranking in a September 2023 press release, with board of trustees Chair Mori Hosseini saying, “The University of Florida dared to be audacious, and we’ve succeeded — for our students and for our state.”
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No such release has been issued this year. UF spokesperson Cynthia Roldan in a text message on Tuesday issued this statement to The Sun: “Recently, Forbes ranked the University of Florida the No. 4 public university in the nation. The formulas for rankings change from year to year, but this is constant: The University of Florida is committed to excellence for our students, for our faculty, and for our state.”
Forbes also recognized UF this year as one of 10 public “New Ivies” — schools that are “shining in the higher education landscape and churning out smart, driven graduates” who are highly employable.
The Journal’s methodology for ranking universities — which it has done since 2016 — changed last year to put an emphasis on student outcomes, which makes up 70% of an institution’s score. The remaining 30% includes learning environment (20%) and diversity (10%).
UF’s 2025 graduation rate score of 100 was a 6-point increase over 2024, while its diversity score improved from 60 to 76. Its salary impact score, however, which takes into account graduates’ estimated salaries along with the cost of living in Florida, dropped drastically from 84 in 2024 to 55 in 2025.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Wall Street Journal ranks UF No. 34 among public universities in 2025
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