United Kingdom-based Times Higher Education (THE), a globally recognized higher education publication, this week released its 2019 World University Rankings. Among public institutions in the United States, USF ranks 38th, an improvement of two spots from the 2018 ranking. This is the sixth year in a row that USF has ranked in the top 50.
THE included 115 public U.S. universities in its list.
USF’s new ranking reflects steady improvement over time in multiple categories, including teaching; research; international outlook – the percentage of international staff and students, and international co-authorship of research journal publications; and citations, which reflect a university’s role in spreading new knowledge and ideas.
“As a top-tier research university we are incredibly proud of the growing international reputation that USF has demonstrated through The Times Higher Education World University Rankings,” Ralph Wilcox, provost and executive vice president for the USF System, said. “But we are most thankful for the community of talented and passionate faculty, staff and students who through determination and drive, along with an unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success, are working together to change lives here in Tampa Bay and around the world.”
Earlier this year, THE ranked USF as the fifth best public university in the U.S. among institutions founded between 1945 and 1966. USF was the only Florida university ranked in the top 100 of the publication’s annual list of “Golden Age Universities.” The top four institutions were from the University of California System.
The newest ranking also follows USF being designated by the Florida Board of Governors as a Preeminent State Research University, placing USF in the most elite category of state universities. In addition, USF this summer was awarded a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.