University Benchmarks

Ranking the Top 100 Academic Universities

UniversityBenchmarks.com ranks the universities that attract and produce the best academic students.

There are many 'University Rankings' on the internet. Most rankings rely heavily on subjective metrics like 'reputation' and 'selectivity'. UniversityBenchmarks is purely an academic ranking model. The rankings are based on the reported academic and financial metrics of the colleges. There are no subjective factors like 'reputation' that are used. The calculations are performed using normal statistical models. All universities are considered equal and there is no weighting of the ranking categories.

The university 2014-2015 dataset is comprised of over 2400 US Universities & Colleges and comes from multiple sources using the most favorable reported metrics for a university.

The universities are ranked against each other in each filtered set. It is an iterative process whereby lower ranking universities are removed and the set is re-ranked until the final set of 100 is reached.

Selecting 'Rank Top 10 Only' will show the Top 10 for each filter category ranked against each other.

The academic rankings of the universities within the major conferences (ACC, Big12, Big10, Pac12, SEC) are available.

The 2017 rankings will be available in August.

Notes:
  • It is possible for universities to be ranked higher/lower than one another depending on the filter set.
  • Conference averages are based on the top 8 schools in the conference.
  • Public Schools are highlighted
  • Clicking on the university's seal icon will take you to the university's website.

Ranking Fields

Rank - Overall rank based on the average of the ranking fields (Scores, Difficulty, Smartest, Brainpower, Faculty and Research).

Scores - SAT & ACT scores. The university's test scores are corrected for dropout rate when score level is Good, Excellent or Elite. This will slightly boost scores for highly competitive schools.

Difficulty - Academic rigor is estimated based on how difficult it is to get an "A" at the university. An estimated GPA at the university is calculated for the average US Student. University grade inflation, average GPA, and STEM density are factors.

Smartest - University that can field the highest scoring students based on the average US University size. Higher Smartest Rank = "Smartest for the Average University"

Brainpower - The average "smartest" rank using 5 reference populations (CalTech, MIT, Stanford, GaTech and Berkeley). Higher Brainpower Rank = "Higher Density of Smart Students". The university ranked higher can mathematically field 'X' number of smarter students than universities ranked below them.

Faculty - Ranking based on number of % of faculty with awards and academy membership.

Research - Ranking is achieved by iteratively ranking the average of 3 research metrics (r-pop, r-stem, r-other ). The lowest ranked college is then removed and the new set is re-ranked. The result is the schools with potentially the strongest research environments per student bubble up to the top regardless of size or research budget.

  • r-pop - Average research spending for student population
  • r-stem - STEM research spending
  • r-other - Other/Medical/Health research spending

Salary ROI - "Salary Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. Using the undergraduate average starting and mid-career salaries, the rank is based on a 20yr salary accumulation (with raises) minus the cost of a 4 year education at the university. Salaries are normalized across the country using the average COLA for the university's geo-economic region (7 regions total). The COLA effect is diminished by the level of the university. Elite, Excellent and Good universities have a greater distribution of graduates across the country and a diminishing COLA effect. The resultant value would be the graduate's spending potential over the 20yr period.

Overall ROI - "Overall Return on Investment" is not used in the overall ranking but is provided for additional information. The average of Overall Rank and Salary ROI. This would be the "Best academic bang for the buck". Colleges that produce the best education, at the best price, with the best return will be ranked higher.

Color Key - ranks are colorized as follows 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 50 100

The 2016 University Academic Rankings

State of Florida University Academic Rankings

Search :
examples: Yale "Wake Forest" "Big Ten" TX NC

2016 Florida University Academic Rankings

2016 Florida University Academic Rankings
rank value image public university state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research r pop r stem r other salary ROI overall ROI scores value difficulty value smartest value brainpower value faculty value research value salary ROI value overall ROI value scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price scores valid
11.50
PublicUniversity of FloridaFloridaSoutheastern Conference321111211511908|802.33|422115|882074|8683|721.00|991418885|713.00|971908/1272/29Good33153.1070632829166304950042831True
22.67
PrivateUniversity of MiamiFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference1124621321462008|842.08|482100|871988|83143|531.67|981221694|618.00|922008/1339/30Excellent30223.253231117554994930062854True
33.50
PublicFlorida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference444324444931795|752.54|372050|851999|8384|724.00|961270435|646.00|941795/1197/27AboveAverage18252.952313294882784240036765True
44.83
PublicUniversity of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic Conference755543323831730|722.56|362006|841948|81112|632.67|971274843|646.00|941730/1153/26AboveAverage51432.9540831067108714270031824True
55.33
PublicUniversity of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic Conference6932757651591740|732.62|342062|862016|84146|515.00|951214021|6110.00|901740/1160/26AboveAverage28342.951165267180964270036989True
67.99
PublicFlorida International UniversityFloridaConference USA121166366561171625|682.68|331977|821917|8090|705.33|951245928|628.50|921625/1083/24Average32492.801134100986014380035509True
79.17
PrivateFlorida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...961313598910221700|712.56|361630|681379|57135|558.33|921503419|754.50|961700/1133/26AboveAverage67432.9515363627575610055300True
89.50
PublicNew College of FloridaFloridaNo Conference Affiliation23169141313131344271984|832.53|371568|651646|69300|013.00|87669540|3326.00|741984/1323/30Excellent0323.25083403190043101True
910.17
PublicUniversity of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun Conference91078141313131321131700|712.65|341896|791767|74300|013.00|871165715|5815.00|851700/1133/26AboveAverage43462.9501412118634240035481True
1011.00
PrivateRollins CollegeFloridaSunshine State Conference571512141313131326171790|752.57|361595|661420|59300|013.00|871048217|5218.00|821790/1193/27AboveAverage14302.95026705374470062493True
1113.11
PrivateEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFloridaFlorida Sun Conference12812141413131313131625|682.60|351644|681353|56300|013.00|871546104|776.00|941625/1083/24Average60432.80049675715730047582True
1213.33
PrivateStetson UniversityFloridaPioneer Football League / Atla...7121816141313131327191730|722.71|321558|651333|56300|013.00|871025713|5119.50|811730/1153/26AboveAverage9362.950284112963860055716True
1313.60
PublicFlorida Atlantic UniversityFloridaConference USA2421878887718141560|652.83|291881|781800|75148|517.33|931188094|5915.50|851560/1040/23Average33522.80612547648214460034316True
1414.40
PrivateNova Southeastern UniversityFloridaSunshine State Conference16131417121111101112111600|672.72|321603|671309|55200|3310.67|891245255|6213.00|871600/1067/24Average75542.80124699194494510043946True
1515.98
PrivateThe University of TampaFloridaSunshine State Conference1818111514131313136101585|662.79|301681|701346|56300|013.00|871411562|7110.50|901585/1057/24Average12432.80068238605590040169True
1616.67
PrivateEckerd CollegeFloridaSunshine State Conference11152720141313131316151675|702.76|31950|401125|47300|013.00|871210551|6116.00|841675/1117/25AboveAverage25362.950208304260053508True
1616.67
PublicThe University of West FloridaFloridaGulf South Conference29221011101010119381515|632.83|291703|711450|60191|369.67|901441626|729.50|911515/1010/23Average34482.80191007225305590032653True
1817.20
PublicFlorida Gulf Coast UniversityFloridaAtlantic Sun Conference2726910141313131342311520|632.91|271756|731508|63300|013.00|87692572|3530.00|701520/1013/23Average6532.8001334511283190039186True
1918.00
PublicUniversity of South Florida-St PetersburgFloridaNo Conference Affiliation1820191914131313137111585|662.82|291528|641243|52300|013.00|871277199|6413.00|871585/1057/24Average0672.80038916004270031235True
2018.17
PrivateFlorida Southern CollegeFloridaSunshine State Conference14142521141313131325211615|672.74|311210|501112|46300|013.00|871065908|5322.50|781615/1077/24Average12442.80024032673940043600True
2118.50
PublicUniversity of South Florida-Sarasota-ManateeFloridaNo Conference Affiliation15162825141313131320201601|672.78|31802|33988|41300|013.00|871182346|5920.50|801601/1067/24Average802.8001756147427000True
2219.35
PrivatePalm Beach Atlantic UniversityFloridaOther20192022141313131328231575|662.82|301403|581095|46300|013.00|87951558|4825.00|751575/1050/24Average8422.80030218443990040294True
2320.60
PrivateAve Maria UniversityFloridaFlorida Sun Conference16172927141313131340331600|672.79|30800|33963|40300|013.00|87723476|3631.50|691600/1067/24Average9592.8001028533190031460True
2421.80
PublicFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFloridaMid Eastern Athletic Conference343117189748810161390|583.04|241564|651264|53155|486.00|941266589|6317.00|831390/927/21BelowAverage33522.8053849517464590031525True
2522.32
PrivateFlagler College-St AugustineFloridaPeach Belt Conference26252423141313131337321540|642.89|281303|541026|43300|013.00|87730196|3731.00|691540/1027/23Average0402.800278203190029780True
2623.20
PrivateJacksonville UniversityFloridaPioneer Football League / Atla...30272124141313131322221510|632.91|271362|571002|42300|013.00|871141702|5724.00|761510/1007/23Average17602.80032238624780046800True
2724.00
PrivateFlorida CollegeFloridaNo Conference Affiliation24233029141313131336331560|652.86|29720|30830|35300|013.00|87738396|3731.50|691560/1040/23Average0842.80055503190027730True
2824.20
PrivateBarry UniversityFloridaSunshine State Conference34282226111212121223261390|583.01|251331|55977|41195|3512.00|881136270|5725.50|751390/927/21BelowAverage82642.801399645224410045500True
2925.27
PrivateClearwater Christian CollegeFloridaNo Conference Affiliation27243131141313131339361520|632.87|28640|27640|27300|013.00|87725856|3634.00|661520/1013/23Average18462.80041293190030865True
3025.40
PrivateSoutheastern UniversityFloridaFlorida Sun Conference32302328141313131329301435|603.02|251310|55893|37300|013.00|87934538|4729.50|711435/957/22BelowAverage2572.80034363983670035099True
3128.40
PrivateLynn UniversityFloridaSunshine State Conference33323332121313131319231395|583.06|24390|16630|26200|3313.00|871185000|5925.00|751395/930/21BelowAverage2572.80019766373910051627True
3228.60
PrivateJohnson University FloridaFloridaNo Conference Affiliation31293237141313131332351440|603.01|25480|20480|20300|013.00|87760040|3832.00|681440/960/22BelowAverage0712.80022203190022319True
3329.00
PrivateFlorida Institute of Technology-OnlineFloridaNo Conference Affiliation2142424214131313134181565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|013.00|871435852|7218.50|821565/1043/23Unknown002.80020661116561000False
3329.00
PrivateEmbry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFloridaNo Conference Affiliation21424242141313131317231565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|013.00|871204625|6025.00|751565/1043/23Unknown0482.80097554421526000False
3329.00
PrivateSaint Leo UniversityFloridaSunshine State Conference21424242141313131324291565|654.00|0-2400|0-2400|0300|013.00|871082493|5428.50|721565/1043/23Unknown59532.8001258137683830035910False
3630.60
PrivateBethune-Cookman UniversityFloridaMid Eastern Athletic Conference43402630141313131335381225|513.21|201145|48733|31300|013.00|87741036|3735.50|651225/817/18BelowAverage8602.80038991453190027070True
3730.80
PrivateSt Thomas UniversityFloridaFlorida Sun Conference37343534141313131343431359|573.09|23318|13522|22300|013.00|87683864|3440.00|601359/906/20BelowAverage11592.80093112863190041363True
3831.20
PrivateThe Baptist College of FloridaFloridaNo Conference Affiliation36333439141313131330361385|583.07|23370|15370|15300|013.00|87782364|3934.00|661385/923/21BelowAverage0572.800458283190016738True
3831.20
PrivateWarner UniversityFloridaFlorida Sun Conference38353633141313131338411355|563.10|23310|13523|22300|013.00|87726736|3638.00|621355/903/20BelowAverage1582.80010351263190030645True
4031.83
PrivateAdventist University of Health SciencesFloridaNo Conference Affiliation40373835141313131334391312|553.14|22224|9483|20300|013.00|87747940|3737.00|631312/875/20BelowAverage0442.80019501403190025344True
4132.00
PrivateNorthwood University-FloridaFloridaFlorida Sun Conference38363636141313131313281355|563.10|23310|13483|20300|013.00|871244110|6227.00|731355/903/20BelowAverage0682.800677334350037440True
4234.00
PrivateWebber International UniversityFloridaIndependent Southeast Region /...41383938141313131341441305|543.14|21209|9394|16300|013.00|87695788|3541.50|591305/870/20BelowAverage4672.800695373190038382True
4335.20
PrivateTrinity Baptist CollegeFloridaNo Conference Affiliation42394041141313131331391247|523.20|2093|493|4300|013.00|87771588|3937.00|631247/831/19BelowAverage0592.800366233190019432True
4436.00
PrivateEdward Waters CollegeFloridaGulf Coast Athletic Conference44414140141313131333421180|493.23|19-40|0199|8300|013.00|87748976|3738.50|621180/787/18BelowAverage21792.80092903190025085True

Common Questions...

What are the best colleges in Florida?

1. University of Florida

2. University of Miami

3. Florida State University

4. University of South Florida

5. University of Central Florida

6. Florida International University

7. Florida Institute of Technology

2016 Top 10 Florida University Academic Rankings

2016 Top 10 Florida University Academic Rankings
rank value public name state conference scores difficulty smartest brainpower faculty research salary ROI overall ROI scores level stem drop gpa avg research undergrads grads salary price
11.50PublicUniversity of FloridaFloridaSoutheastern Conference321111211908/1272/29Good33153.1070632829166304950042831
22.67PrivateUniversity of MiamiFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference112462642008/1339/30Excellent30223.253231117554994930062854
33.50PublicFlorida State UniversityFloridaAtlantic Coast Conference444324421795/1197/27AboveAverage18252.952313294882784240036765
44.83PublicUniversity of South FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic Conference755543321730/1153/26AboveAverage51432.9540831067108714270031824
55.17PublicUniversity of Central FloridaFloridaAmerican Athletic Conference683275761740/1160/26AboveAverage28342.951165267180964270036989
66.50PublicNew College of FloridaFloridaNo Conference Affiliation23108881081984/1323/30Excellent0323.25083403190043101
77.33PrivateFlorida Institute of TechnologyFloridaGulf South Conference / Sunshi...8681057141700/1133/26AboveAverage67432.9515363627575610055300
87.44PublicFlorida International UniversityFloridaConference USA10106636571625/1083/24Average32492.801134100986014380035509
97.67PrivateRollins CollegeFloridaSunshine State Conference579988991790/1193/27AboveAverage14302.95026705374470062493
107.83PublicUniversity of North FloridaFloridaAtlantic Sun Conference897788891700/1133/26AboveAverage43462.9501412118634240035481