Florida A&M University Strikes Boldly to No. 79 Among the Nation’s Top Public Universities on 2027 U.S. News & World Report Rankings
13-spot rise places FAMU in the Top 80, while a 37-place gap separates FAMU from the next-highest-ranked public HBCU
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida A&M University (FAMU) has strengthened its standing among the nation’s leading public universities, climbing 13 places to No. 79 in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Top Public Universities rankings. The advancement comes as FAMU continues to strengthen its position within Florida’s competitive public higher education landscape. FAMU’s 13-place improvement was the largest gain among the Florida State University System institutions included in the 2027 rankings.
“The U.S. News and World Report ranking reflects the extraordinary momentum taking place across Florida A&M University. Moving 13 places to No. 79 and rising to the Top 80 among the nation’s public universities is a meaningful achievement, but it is also a reflection of the determination of our faculty, staff and students to pursue excellence in everything we do,” said President Marva B. Johnson, J.D. “We are proud that our Governor and Florida Legislative Leaders have helped Florida hold U.S. News’s No. 1 ranking for higher education for 10 consecutive years, the platform on which FAMU’s own gains this year have been built by our faculty, staff and students. While we celebrate these strong gains, our performance-based funding system requires us to remain intentionally focused on the work ahead to strengthen our academic programs, expand our research enterprise and create even greater opportunities for our students.”
FAMU’s No. 79 ranking places it in a national tie that includes the University of Alabama, California State University–Fullerton, CUNY–City College, Kansas State University, Montclair State University, Oregon State University, and Virginia Commonwealth University.
FAMU posts largest gain among Florida public universities
FAMU’s rise in the rankings places it among seven Florida public universities ranked in the Top 100 in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report assessment.
The University of Florida remains the highest-ranked Florida institution at No. 8, followed by Florida State University at No. 24. Florida International University and the University of South Florida are tied at No. 46, while the University of Central Florida ranks No. 58. FAMU follows at No. 79, ahead of Florida Atlantic University at No. 99.
Additionally, FAMU is second highest ranked Florida school on the U.S. News Social Mobility Index. Tied at No. 26 with institutions such as the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, University of North Texas, University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras, University of South Florida, FAMU continues to deliver strongly on its mission of advancing education for Pell-eligible students. This ranking is a reflection of FAMU’s ability—as Florida’s only public HBCU— to propel the economic trajectory of graduates forward, enhancing the financial outlook of their families for generations to come.
“I am especially proud of the members of the Board of Governors, the FAMU Board of Trustees, President Johnson, and the faculty of FAMU, all of whom have rallied around student success as their primary inspiration,” said Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine. “I have been working directly with FAMU since 2015, and to say it has come a long way is an understatement. FAMU has proven that all students can and should be expected to perform at high levels, and that a focus on merit will serve these students for their careers. FAMU isn’t just the nation’s best public HBCU. It’s one of the best overall universities in the nation. And that is no accident. Congratulations to the Rattler Nation!”
FAMU extends its lead among public HBCUs
The university’s standing becomes even more pronounced when the rankings are viewed through the lens of public Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
FAMU is the highest-ranked HBCU in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Top Public Universities ranking, coming in at No. 79 nationally. Its closest public-HBCU peer in this particular ranking category is North Carolina A&T State University, which ranks No. 116.
“Rankings rise when student outcomes improve. FAMU’s rise to the top 80 reflects deliberate work to strengthen academic quality, help more students persist and graduate, and prepare them to compete in a rapidly changing workforce,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D. “We are proud of this progress and will continue building on it by ensuring every student has the support and opportunity to earn a high-quality degree, succeed in their chosen career, and contribute meaningfully to their community.”
Other public HBCUs appearing in the ranking include North Carolina Central University at No. 163; Morgan State University and Prairie View A&M University tied at No. 168; Jackson State University at No. 200; Tennessee State University at No. 208; Southern University and A&M College at No. 225; and Texas Southern University at No. 226.
A distinction between two U.S. News rankings
The U.S. News & World report released two separate rankings for the top public universities and the best HBCUs. The two rankings use different methodologies and comparison groups. In the separate 2027 Best HBCUs ranking, North Carolina A&T is ranked No. 5 and FAMU is ranked No. 6 among all public and private HBCUs. The No. 79 ranking specifically reflects FAMU’s position among Top Public Universities nationally, where FAMU is the top-ranked HBCU.
“FAMU’s placement in the Top 80 represents another marker of progress in its continued pursuit of greater national visibility and competitiveness,” said Senior Vice President for Institutional Performance and Assessment Roddrick Jones, Ph.D. “FAMU’s latest U.S. News recognition is not simply about its standing within the HBCU sector. It reflects the university’s position within the broader national universe of public universities.”
U.S. News publishes the Best Colleges rankings each year to provide prospective students and their families with the comparative merits of the undergraduate programs at America’s colleges and universities. The rankings offer detailed information on the institutions and data on 17 factors such as graduation rates, graduate indebtedness, and post-graduate earnings.
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