The State University System of Florida reported several milestones in 2025, highlighting achievements across its 12 public universities. The system credited these accomplishments to ongoing efforts in student success, research, and collaboration.
Chancellor Ray Rodrigues stated, “Florida remains the gold standard for higher education thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis and the Legislature. The System continuously delivers on providing high-quality, accessible, and affordable education to help students reach their goals and propel Florida’s economy to new heights.”
Board of Governors Chair Brian Lamb said, “This year, our Board worked closely with university trustees, presidents, and leadership teams to identify ways to continue elevating student outcomes and serving as a national model of excellence for higher education. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of faculty and staff across the System, who relentlessly pursue knowledge and prepare graduates to be top candidates in an evolving and competitive workforce.”
Board of Governors Vice Chair and Incoming Chair Alan Levine added, “The Board of Governors is committed to building on the incredible momentum achieved this year. Our focus will remain on driving student success, fostering innovation, and ensuring Florida continues to serve as a benchmark for higher education nationwide. Together, our universities will advance student opportunities and strengthen Florida’s future.”
In January 2025, the Florida Board of Governors introduced SUS30—a strategic plan that sets out priorities through 2030 for all state universities.
Performance-based funding was a key initiative this year. The system distributed $645 million among its universities based on metrics such as retention rates, graduation rates, and employment outcomes. The four-year graduation rate reached 66%, which is a record high for the system. Nearly 80% of students attended without federal loans. One year after graduation, about 75% were either employed or pursuing further education with a median wage of $51,000—an increase from previous years.
Nursing programs received additional support through PIPELINE and LINE funds aimed at increasing nursing graduates statewide. For the 2025-26 academic year, $6 million was allocated across 24 proposals from 10 universities. This resulted in over 1,900 pre-licensure nursing graduates—a record number—with a pass rate of 94%. Over the past decade, pre-licensure program slots increased by more than 1,000.
To encourage civic readiness among students, each institution established Offices of Public Policy Events that hosted more than 50 events throughout the year with over 3,200 participants including students and community members.
Campus safety remained a priority as well; university leaders convened with counterparts from the Florida College System at a summit focused on safety topics such as threat assessments and emergency communication.
Florida’s public universities continued their strong performance in national rankings according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings. The University of Florida ranked #7 among public institutions while others like Florida State University (#21), University of South Florida (#43), Florida International University (#46), University of Central Florida (#57), Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (#92), and Florida Atlantic University (#100) also featured prominently.
Florida Polytechnic University maintained its position as #1 among southern regional public colleges for five consecutive years (source). Other schools like New College of Florida were recognized among top liberal arts colleges.
In Washington Monthly’s Best Bang for the Buck Rankings: Southeast, nine state universities appeared in the top fifty with Florida International University ranked first regionally.
Research activity also reached new levels; expenditures surpassed $3 billion—a $200 million increase over last year—and nearly 400 utility patents were awarded across campuses by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
These developments reinforce Florida’s status as a leading state for higher education since being ranked #1 by U.S. News & World Report starting in 2017.
