UF decreased in its ranking as the best university for your buck.
This year, UF ranked 18th overall out of 711 colleges and universities across the nation on Money magazine’s “The Best Colleges for Your Money” — a decrease from their previous ranking.
While the university’s ranking moved down from 15th to 18th, UF spokesperson Steve Orlando said it is still an achievement.
“We’re very pleased to be listed once again with other universities that are recognized for providing an excellent education and good employment outcomes for graduates,” Orlando wrote in an email.
He said UF was also ranked 10th overall in public universities and was the highest-ranked university in the state — 233 spots ahead of Florida State University, the second highest-ranked university in the state.
The rankings were calculated using 27 data points divided into three categories: educational quality, affordability and alumni success, according to an article on Money magazine’s website.
By using this methodology, Orlando said this ranking shows students and families what a degree from UF really entails.
“It’s increasingly important to students and their families that their degree led to a meaningful outcome — that is, a degree that is valuable and results in employment,” Orlando said.
While UF does not have any specific plans to better their ranking on the list, Orlando said the university is continuing to reach for their goal of being one of the top public research universities in the country.
Audrey Wells, a UF nursing freshman, said she is always proud to be a Gator and thinks the university is known for being prestigious.
“This university was definitely my top choice because of reasons like this,” the 17-year-old said.
