By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
The University of South Florida is home to nearly two dozen graduate programs considered among the best in America, according to new rankings released today by U.S. News & World Report. USF features 23 graduate programs ranked inside the top 100 among all public and private institutions, including 11 ranked in the top 50.
USF’s highest-ranked programs are industrial and organizational psychology at No. 3, criminology at No. 18 and audiology, which comes in at No. 22.
Among USF Health’s ranked programs, nursing anesthesia jumped 58 spots into the top 50, the physical therapy program rose by double digits to No. 33 and the nursing master’s program now sits in the top 25 at No. 24.
In addition, USF’s social work and part-time MBA programs both saw double-digit gains and the education program broke into the top 50.
“We are thrilled that many University of South Florida graduate programs are included among the nation’s best in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings,” USF President Rhea Law said. “This recognition underscores the commitment of our faculty and staff, who continue to provide high-quality programs that empower our students to enhance their skills, expand their knowledge and progress in their careers by earning an advanced degree.”
Full list of USF’s top 50 programs:
Industrial and Organizational Psychology* – 3
Criminology* – 18
Audiology – 22
Nursing – Master’s – 24
Library and Information Studies* – 27
Public Health – 29
Physical Therapy – 33
Nursing – Doctor of Nursing Practice – 34
Nursing – Anesthesia – 36
Rehabilitation Counseling* – 46
Education – Overall – 48
Full list of USF’s 51-100 programs:
Healthcare Management*– 52
Speech-Language Pathology – 52
Business ‐ Part‐time MBA – 53
Earth Sciences* – 54
Pharmacy – 60
Physician Assistant/Associate Studies* – 65
Fine Arts* – 73
Social Work – 83
Statistics* – 86
Business – Full-time MBA – 87
Sociology* – 92
Psychology* – 97
As U.S. News does not release new rankings for every program, every year, rankings denoted with an asterisk have been republished this year. U.S News also announced that medical, engineering and clinical psychology school rankings will be released at a later date.
According to U.S. News, rankings are generated through “ranking indicators” derived from reputation and/or data reported by each institution. For some programs, U.S. News evaluates key areas such as expert opinions in the field, opportunities for student engagement, resources for student support and career success, as well as faculty and student performance, in terms of existing credentials, research impact and metrics such as student job placement.
In addition to the graduate program rankings, in September 2023 U.S. News ranked USF as one of the nation’s top 50 public universities for the fifth consecutive year, and the university earned its highest ranking ever among all universities public or private.