{"id":137057,"date":"2023-09-18T10:05:23","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T14:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=137057"},"modified":"2026-04-22T12:25:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:25:16","slug":"us-news-rankings-2024-best-colleges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/us-news-rankings-2024-best-colleges\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Is Highest Ranked in Florida for Innovation by U.S. News, Rise to No. 14 Driven by Research and Student Success Outcomes"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCF continues to be recognized as one of the nation\u2019s top and most innovative universities \u2014 rising as an education innovator renowned for science, health<\/a> and technology education, including nursing, which has rapidly advanced to become one of the nation\u2019s best, according to U.S. News & World Report<\/em>\u2019s 2024 Best Colleges rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s ranking places UCF as highest-ranked school in Florida for innovation. UCF has ranked in the top 20 for innovation nationally for six consecutive years.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Established in 1963, UCF has accomplished in decades what others have taken a century or more to achieve. As one of the youngest universities in the country, UCF has emerged as one of the nation’s most groundbreaking institutions \u2014 continuing to advance in rankings from Washington Monthly<\/em><\/a> and\u00a0The New York Times<\/em>. Today, UCF ranks No. 14 for Most Innovative School by U.S. News and World Report<\/em><\/strong> \u2014 moving six places from last year. Earning this recognition means innovative practices and strategies are embedded across every aspect of what UCF does, from academic offerings to research.<\/p>\n

UCF provides highly-qualified and compassionate nurses needed to help solve the national workforce shortage, develops novel technologies to better diagnose disease<\/a> and advances space exploration for humankind<\/a>. These efforts and others contribute to how UCF unleashes the potential of people and ideas to positively change the world \u2014 which has earned recognition nationally. UCF is ranked No. 124 among All National Universities \u2014 a 13-spot gain over last year<\/strong>. Among Public Universities, UCF is the No. 64 institution.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cOur commitment to access, excellence, and innovation provides incredible opportunities for students from all backgrounds to earn success and to positively impact our community and our world,\u201d says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. \u201cOur continued rise in the rankings would not be possible without the incredible work of our faculty, staff, and students, and we will continue to invest in their success.\u201d<\/p>\n

A Leader in Social Mobility<\/h2>\n

UCF aspires to be the No. 1 provider of talent, an attribute corporate partners<\/a> and industry leaders demand of higher education today. Our commitment to social mobility is critical to achieving this aspiration by creating opportunity for earned success. U.S. News & World Report<\/em> acknowledges our efforts to empower students from all backgrounds to succeed and earn their degrees with the No. 35 ranking for Top Performers on Social Mobility<\/a>. Over the past year UCF has risen 24 spots<\/strong> \u2014 a significant gain that emphasizes our focus on student success. UCF was also recently recognized by The Wall Street Journal<\/em> for social mobility efforts \u2014 ranking 52nd<\/sup> nationally and 2nd<\/sup> in Florida.<\/p>\n

Innovation Is Embedded in UCF\u2019s Culture<\/h2>\n

Since our founding, UCF has creatively approached teaching and research, achieving a reputation for success through innovation. This recognition positions UCF within the company of top-15 ranked institutions that have been around much longer \u2014 including Arizona State, Georgia Tech, Stanford and the University of Michigan.<\/p>\n

Among the Nation\u2019s Best Nursing Programs Addressing the Nursing Shortage<\/h3>\n

As the nation is dealing with a nursing shortage, using innovative technology like simulation to meet this need is critical to advancing nursing education. UCF is ranked No. 31 for Best Undergraduate Nursing Programs<\/strong> \u2014 an incredible 65 spot increase over two years and 20 spot increase from last year.<\/p>\n

\u201cUCF\u2019s continued rise in national rankings show the value of our nursing degrees to our communities,\u201d says Mary Lou Sole, dean 色花堂\u2019s College of Nursing. \u201cWe are fueling the talent pipeline with Knight nurses who receive a high-quality education and are prepared to provide compassionate care and clinical excellence. As we build the College of Nursing<\/a> for the future, we will unleash more potential in our students, faculty and alumni to continue to innovate nursing education and address the nation\u2019s nursing shortage.\u201d<\/p>\n

UCF\u2019s College of Nursing is\u00a0internationally recognized for its use of simulation, including an accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The college is among an elite group of 20 simulation programs worldwide \u2014 and the only one in Florida \u2014 to earn the Healthcare Simulation Standards endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning.<\/p>\n

A $5.5 million gift from the Helene Fuld Health Trust will help UCF to remain at the forefront of nursing education and innovation. It will establish a state-of-the-art simulation center at the new, larger nursing teaching facility in Lake Nona\u2019s Medical City. Funded by the Florida Legislature, philanthropic organizations like Dr. Phillips Charities, industry partners such as AdventHealth and Orlando Health, the future College of Nursing building includes learning labs equipped with advanced technology like virtual reality.<\/p>\n

UCF\u2019s\u00a0accelerated second degree bachelor\u2019s in nursing<\/a> is an undergraduate academic offering that helps individuals reinvent their career path while providing in-demand talent. Among recent graduates of the program is Kris Hysler \u201923<\/strong>, who previously earned a degree in theater and was working as a bartender before she was inspired to make a change<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The College of Nursing\u2019s ranking is also a reflection of the excellence of our faculty<\/a>, including 27 who are fellows of national organizations. These respected experts include Associate Professor Ladda Thiamwong, a healthy aging researchers who recently named an American Academy of Nursing fellow \u2014 becoming UCF\u2019s 11th<\/sup> nursing faculty member to earn the prestigious honor.<\/p>\n

A Legacy in Engineering That Contributes to Space Exploration<\/h3>\n

Additionally, UCF is recognized among the Best Engineering Schools<\/a> that offer doctorates in the nation. Our origin as an engineering school created to power the space industry continues to be one 色花堂\u2019s greatest strengths in innovation. Over the past year, some 色花堂\u2019s most notable space innovations include:<\/p>\n