University also recognized as the No. 3 best value in the South
LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Polytechnic University has earned its fifth straight title as the No. 1 public college in the South in U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges Rankings, a testament to the University’s exceptional growth and sustained excellence in just its 11th year.
Florida Poly also secured the No. 3 spot for best value public school in the South, recognized for its combined academic performance and affordability.
“Florida Poly’s continued national recognition as the top public college in the South and as among the best values in higher education, is both exciting and humbling,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, the University’s president. “Our momentum is fueled by a clear vision: to deliver uncompromising academic excellence while empowering students to lead, innovate, and thrive in the STEM careers that will drive the future.”
U.S. News also ranked Florida Poly among the top 30 public engineering programs without Ph.D. nationally for the fifth consecutive year, measuring the quality of programs at 143 public institutions across the country. Overall, U.S. News evaluated more than 1,700 American colleges and universities for its 2026 rankings, using up to 17 factors to assess academic quality and graduate outcomes.
Florida Poly’s U.S. News 2026 Best Colleges rankings:
- 1 Public College in the South (5th year in a row)
- 2 College in the South among public and private institutions (3rd year in a row)
- 3 Best Value Public School in the South (combines affordability and academic performance)
- Top 30 Public Engineering Program without a Ph.D. nationally (5th year in a row)
“These remarkable rankings reflect the dedication of our faculty and staff, as well as the talent and determination of our students,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “Being recognized once again among the very best is evidence of the strong, innovative curriculum and supportive learning environment that define Florida Poly.”
The University’s high rankings are powered by outstanding academic achievement and strategic growth, including a record-breaking fall enrollment of 1,931 students this year.
Later this fall, Florida Poly will also celebrate the opening of the Gary C. Wendt Engineering Center, a 40,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic building designed to expand Florida Poly’s engineering lab capacity while strengthening the University’s ability to deliver exceptional, hands-on engineering education.
Florida Poly is the state’s only university exclusively dedicated to education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
Contact:
Lydia Guzmán
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
