USF Health graduate programs posted broad gains in the new rankings released today, further elevating its standing among the nation’s premier academic health centers.
In a sweep of strong results, every program across USF Health’s four colleges either rose in the rankings or held its position, with eight ranked in the Top 50 nationally and five recognized as No. 1 in Florida.
For the second consecutive year, the earned the highest possible Tier 1 rating for research, placing it among just 16 medical schools nationwide to receive this top designation from U.S. News.
USF became the first medical school in Florida to achieve Tier 1 status last year and is the only in the state to have held the honor consecutively. This recognition further builds on the college’s recent ranking as the No. 1 medical school in the country for education by the Center for Accountability in Medicine.
“I am delighted to see the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine rank once again in Tier 1, the top echelon of research-intensive medical schools in the United States,” said Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, executive vice president of USF Health and dean of the Morsani College of Medicine. “We are committed to continuing to expand our pursuit of new research discoveries, as well as our opportunities for student researchers. Unlocking new scientific knowledge is part of our mission to improve the lives and health of all Floridians.”
The placed all three of its ranked programs in the Top 50 nationally. The Master of Science in Nursing rose one spot to No. 22 and retained its position as the No. 1 program in Florida for the third straight year. The Doctor of Nursing Practice also moved up five spots to No. 47, while the Nurse Anesthesia program advanced to No. 40 nationally and is tied for the top spot in the state.
USF hosts the largest graduate nursing program in the state based on degrees awarded and is in the midst of a historic expansion, with a new facility underway to expand enrollment and address Florida’s nursing shortage.
“Maintaining our top ranking for the MSN program is the result of our committed faculty, our rigorous curriculum and our outstanding students who push themselves both in and out of the classroom,” said Usha Menon, PhD, RN, senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the USF College of Nursing. “We’re also incredibly proud of the gains we’ve seen in our DNP and Nurse Anesthesia programs, results that also reflect intentional work by our faculty and nursing leadership.”
The is again the top-ranked program in Florida — a position it has held for more than a decade — and climbed one spot to No. 26 nationally. The college also earned a new ranking in Social and Behavioral Sciences, debuting at No. 21 in the U.S. and No. 1 in the state. The Master of Health Care Administration climbed two spots to No. 39 nationally.
As Florida’s first and oldest college of public health, the college is also home to the nation’s largest undergraduate public health program and leads the state in NIH funding, driving research that shapes health policy and practice worldwide.
“We are pleased to retain our No. 1 ranking in Florida, and we will continue reinventing ourselves for top tier public health research, educational and practice impact,” said Sten Vermund, MD, PhD, dean of the USF College of Public Health.
The also saw its Doctor of Physical Therapy program rise two spots to No. 40 nationally. The maintained its position as the No. 2 program in Florida and No. 60 overall.
USF Health programs are among dozens at USF ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News. A more complete list of those rankings for USF can be found
Full list of USF Health Top 50 program rankings:
- Medicine: Tier 1, among Top 16 (No. 1 in Florida*)
- Public Health – Social and Behavioral Sciences: 21 (No. 1 in Florida)
- Nursing – Master’s: No. 22 (No. 1 in Florida)
- Public Health: No. 26 (No. 1 in Florida)
- Public Health – Health Care Management: No. 39
- Nursing – Anesthesia: No. 40 (No. 1 in Florida*)
- Physical Therapy: No. 40
- Nursing – Doctor of Nursing Practice: No. 47
*Tied for No. 1 in Florida