Florida Poly extends six-year run as No. 1 public college in the South

University jumps 13 spots to No. 16 in the nation among public engineering programs without a Ph.D. and ranks No. 1 in the South for best value    

LAKELAND, Fla., Sept. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- For the sixth consecutive year, Florida Polytechnic University is the No. 1 public college in the South according to U.S. News & World Report's 2027 Best Colleges Rankings, while continuing to gain national prominence in engineering and value.

Florida Poly climbed 13 spots to No. 16 nationally among public engineering programs without a Ph.D. and ranked the No. 1 best value public school in the South.

"Our strong performance across the U.S. News rankings speaks to the remarkable trajectory of Florida Poly," said Dr. Devin Stephenson, Florida Poly's president. "We are growing rapidly and building a national reputation as a premier STEM university while continuing to deliver the exceptional value and career outcomes that distinguish a Florida Poly education."

Florida Poly's 2027 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings include:

• No. 1 Public College in the South
• No. 3 College in the South among public and private institutions
• No. 16 Public Engineering Program without a Ph.D. nationally
• No. 1 Best Value Public School in the South (combines affordability and academic performance)

The rankings come during a period of significant growth for Florida Poly, the state's only university exclusively dedicated to STEM. The University is experiencing record enrollment, expanding its in-demand academic offerings and advancing new campus facilities to support its growth.    

Florida Poly welcomed the largest student body in University history this fall, with more than 2,300 students, representing a 35% increase in just two years. Additionally, the University launched new bachelor's degrees in aerospace engineering and biomedical sciences, including a pre-med track developed in partnership with OCOM (Orlando College of Osteopathic Medicine).

That growth is reshaping Florida Poly's campus. Construction of the new 138,400-square-foot Student Achievement Center (StAC) is expected to begin later this year. The facility will bring together a wide range of services and resources focused on student success, including academic support, career planning, professional development and engagement opportunities.

"Our continued strength in these rankings reflects an academic experience designed around what students need to succeed in today's economy and workforce," said Dr. Brad Thiessen, Florida Poly's provost. "We are expanding programs in high-demand fields, strengthening connections with industry and giving students the technical knowledge and hands-on experience they need to move confidently from the classroom into their careers."

U.S. News evaluated nearly 1,700 American colleges and universities for its 2027 rankings. The publication used up to 17 measures of academic quality and graduate outcomes, including retention and graduation rates, earnings by major and peer assessments.

SOURCE Florida Polytechnic University