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Rankings & Designations


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University of West Florida

  • Designated a "Gold-level Top 10 Military Friendly® School" in the large public school category (2022, 2024)
  • Designated a "Military Spouse Friendly® School" in the large public school category (2021, 2024)
  • Designated a "Purple Star Campus" by the Florida Collegiate Purple Star Campus Program (2024)
  • Ranked "Best Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Ranked "Top Public Schools - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Ranked "Top Performers on Social Mobility - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Ranked "Best Colleges for Veterans - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Ranked "Best Undergraduate Nursing" list by U.S. News & World Report (2022, 2023)
  • Ranked "Best Online Bachelor’s Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Ranked "Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans” by U.S. News & World Report (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Designated a "Gold-level Military Friendly® School" in the large public school category (2017, 2020, 2021, 2023)
  • Received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Listed in the "Great Colleges to Work For" by The Chronicle of Higher Education (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016) and by ModernThink (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Named a "Best for Vets College" by Military Times (2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
  • Named "Tree Campus Higher Education" by Arbor Day Foundation (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
  • Ranked No. 3 in Most Affordable Colleges Offering Online Bachelor’s Degrees by EDsmart (2022)
  • Ranked No. 83 on a nationwide "Economic Mobility Index" by Thirdway.org (2022)
  • UWF named a College of Distinction in 2022-2023 Cohort by Colleges of Distinction
  • Ranked No. 3 in "Best Online Colleges in Florida" by BestValueSchools.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 23 for "Best Online Public Colleges and Universities" by College Consensus (2021)
  • Ranked No. 10 for the "Best Value Online Colleges & Universities" by College Consensus (2021)
  • Ranked Most Innovative in the "Best Colleges in Florida" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 56 in the "Best Value Schools - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked in the No. 14 "Most Innovative School - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Named a "Peace Corps Prep Institution" by Peace Corps (2020)
  • Ranked No. 5 in the "Best Online Colleges & Universities in Florida" by College Consensus (2020)
  • Ranked No. 52 in the "Best Value Schools - Regional Universities South" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked in the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings (2017-2020)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the state in WalletHub's list of top higher education institutions (2020)
  • Ranked No. 77 for veteran friendliness by College Factual (2020)
  • Earned the second-highest score in the Florida Board of Governors' Performance-Based Funding Metrics (2019)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "20 Best Value College for Students with Autism" by BestValueSchools.com (2018, 2019, 2020)
  • Ranked a "Best Regional College - Southeastern" by The Princeton Review (2003-2022)
  • Listed in Forbes "Top Colleges" (2011-2012, 2014-2019)

UWF Colleges and Schools

  • Ranked No. 63 in Best Online Criminal Justice Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Best 14 Zero Residency Online Master’s In Creative Writing in 2021" list by Best Value Schools (2021)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Florida" by BestValueSchools.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 2 for 100 Best Affordable Legal Studies Programs by UniversityHQ (2021)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best 11 Bachelor's in Legal Studies" by Best Value Schools (2021)
  • Ranked No. 5 in the "Best Bachelor's Degrees in Legal Studies" by BestValueSchools.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 10 in the "20 Best Bachelor's Degrees in Legal Studies" by BestCollegeReviews.org (2020)
  • Ranked No. 15 for the "Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Legal Studies" by GreatValueColleges.net (2020)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "15 Best Affordable Paralegal Studies Degree Programs (Bachelor's)" by Affordable Schools (2019)
  • Ranked No. 20 in the "The Best Online Master of Criminal Justice Degree Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2019)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "The 5 Best Online Master's in Political Science Degree Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 9 in the "Best Legal Studies Degrees" by CollegeChoice.net (2018)
  • Ranked No. 9 in "Best Colleges for Communication Majors in Florida" by Zippia.com (2018)

  • Ranked No. 3 in Top 15 Most Prestigious Online Colleges for Accounting in the US by Knowinsiders.com (2023)
  • Ranked No. 93 in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 23 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 57 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 162 in Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 78 in Best Online MBA Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 32 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 15 in Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA) by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 132 in Best Online MBA Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "Top 25 MBA Programs in Florida" by TopManagementDegrees.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 115 in "Best Online MBA Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No. 20 for Top 50 Most Affordable Master's in Public Administration (MSA) Degrees Online by BestColleges.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 80 in "Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA)" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No. 69 in "Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA)" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No. 24 in "Best Master’s in Accounting Online Degrees" by GuidetoOnlineSchools.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 33 in "Best Online Master's in Business Programs for Veterans (Excluding MBA)" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 78 in "Best Online Master's in Business Programs (Excluding MBA)" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 138 in "Best Online MBA Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 12 in the "Best Online Master's in Public Administration Degree Programs" by intelligent.com (2020)
  • Listed in the "Best Online Business Analytics MBA Programs" by College Consensus (2020)
  • Ranked No. 22 in the "Best Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Programs" by onlinecollegeplan.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 15 in the "Best Online Graduate Certificate in Human Resources Programs" by BestColleges.com
  • Ranked No. 20 in the "Best Online Programs: Master's in Human Resources" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 13 in the "Best Online MBA in Supply Chain Management Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 12 in the "Best Online Master’s in Entrepreneurship Degree Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 29 in the "Best Online MBA Programs & Degrees" by Study.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 9 in the "Top 50 College Financial Literacy Programs of 2019" by LendEDU.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 17 in the "Best Online Master's in Supply Chain Management Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2019)
  • Ranked No. 16 in the "Best Online Master's in Supply Chain Management Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "10 Most Affordable Master’s in Public Administration Online 2018" by GradSchoolHub.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 40 in the "50 Best Online Master of Public Administration Programs" by MastersProgramGuide.com for the Best Online Master's Programs (2018)
  • Ranked No. 31 in the "Top 50 Most Affordable MBA Programs" by TopManagementDegrees.com (2018)

  • Ranked No. 3 in "Most Affordable Data Science Master’s Degree Programs" by TechGuide (2024)
  • Best Online Master's Degrees in Environmental Science, Online Master's Degrees (2023)
  • Ranked No. 3 of all colleges in Florida and No. 9 nationally for bachelor's in engineering by DegreeChoices
  • Ranked No. 39 in Best Online Master's Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 31 in Best Online Master's Information Technology Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 17 in Best Online Master's Information Technology Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 22 in Best Bachelor Degrees in Cyber Security by Best Accredited Colleges (2022)
  • Ranked No. 2 in Best Online IT Degree Programs by EDsmart (2022)
  • Ranked No. 31 in "Best Online Master's Information Technology Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No. 32 in "Best Online Master's Information Technology Programs" for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "Best Affordable Online Cybersecurity Master Degree Programs" by Cybersecurity Guide (2020)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the "Top 40 Online Master's Degrees in Computer Science" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 36 in "Best Online Master's in Computer Technology Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the IEEE SoutheastCon Hardware (Robotics) competition (2019)
  • Ranked No. 14 in the "Best Online Master of Mathematics Degree Programs" by MastersProgramsGuide.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 27 in the "The Best Online Master’s in Computer Science Programs" by OnlineMasters.com (2019)
  • Ranked No 7 in the "33 Cheap Master’s in Computer Science Online 2019" by BestValueSchools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Top Online Master's Degrees in Geographic Information Systems" by BestCollegeReviews.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 29 in the "Best Master's Degrees in Environmental Science" by CollegeChoice.net (2018)
  • Ranked No. 26 in the "Top 50 Institutions for Online Master's Degrees in Computer Science" by MastersProgramGuide.com (2018)

  • Ranked No. 2 in "Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Florida" by RegisteredNursing.org (2022, 2023, 2024)
  • Ranked No. 3 in "Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs for 2024" by NurseJournal.org (2024)
  • Ranked No. 1 in "Best RN to BSN Programs in Florida for 2023" by RN Careers (2023)
  • Ranked No. 3 in "Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Florida" by EduMed (2023)
  • Ranked No. 124 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 4 in "Best Online Nursing Program in Florida" by EduMed (2023)
  • Ranked No. 9 in "Best Online Nurse Practitioner Programs" by EduMed (2023)
  • Ranked No. 6 in "Best Best Nursing Schools in Florida" by RegisteredNursing.org (2023)
  • Named a "Best Online Nursing School Master's Program" by the Princeton Review (2022, 2023)
  • Ranked No. 79 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 20 in Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 6 for "Top 10 RN to MSN Programs" by NursingSchoolHub.com (2022)
  • Ranked No. 27 in "Best Online Public Health Degrees" by EduMed (2021)
  • Ranked No. 7 in The Best Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs in Florida by Nursing Schools Almanac (2021)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Best Online Bachelor's in Health Science Degree Programs" by Intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Best Online RN to BSN Programs" by RegisteredNursing.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 24 in the "Top 25 Public Health Programs in the South" by mphonline.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Florida" by RegisteredNursing.org (2021)
  • Ranked in the "Top Master's in Public Health Programs" by intelligent.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 99 in "Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2021)
  • Ranked No 8. for "25 Most Affordable Online MPH Programs" by mphonline.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 14 for "Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master's in Nursing Educator Programs" by NursingSchoolHub.com (2021)
  • Ranked No. 25 for the "Best Online Master's in Healthcare Management" by CollegeConsensus.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 125 in "Best Online Master's in Nursing Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 12 in the "Top Applied Behavior Analysis Online Programs" by AppliedBehaviorAnalysisPrograms.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "Best Online Bachelor's in Health Science Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 23 in the "Best Online Master of Healthcare Administration Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the "Best Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "25 Best Affordable Master’s in Public Health Online Degrees 2019" by AffordableSchools.net (2019)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Best Online RN to BSN Program" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 24 in the "Best Online Master's in Public Health Program" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 1 in Learning practical skills and No. 4 in program culture in "I-O Graduate Programs Rankings Based on Student Perceptions" by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Top 15 Best Applied Behavior Analysis Online Programs" by AppliedBehaviorAnalysisPrograms.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 22 in program culture, No. 9 in student perceptions of resources, No. 11 in student satisfaction and No. 19 in alumni perceptions in "Student and Alumni Perceptions of I-O Psychology Master's Degree Program Quality" by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2018)
  • Ranked No. 5 in top 20 institutions/programs and No. 2 in applied experiences in "Ranking I-O Master's Programs Using Objective Data From I-O Coordinators" by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (2018)
  • Ranked No. 3 in the "10 Most Affordable Master’s in Public Health Online 2018" by GradSchoolHub.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 6 in the "Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master's in Public Health" by Healthcare-Management-Degree.net (2018)
  • Ranked No. 20 in the "30 Best Online Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration Degrees" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 25 in the "50 Best Online Master of Public Health Online Degree Programs" by MastersProgramGuide.com (2018)

  • Ranked No. 34 for "Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 142 in Best Online Master's in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2023)
  • Ranked No. 33 in Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 122 in Best Online Master's in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report (2022)
  • Ranked No. 6 for "Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs" by Intelligent.com (2022)
  • Ranked No. 5 for "Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2022)
  • Ranked No. 13 for "Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership Programs" by BestColleges.com (2022)
  • Ranked No. 15 for Best Online Colleges for Teaching (Bachelor’s) by College Values Online (2021)
  • Ranked No. 14 in the Best Online Master's in Reading Education Programs by the EdAdvocate.org (2021)
  • Ranked in the "Best 15 Online Master’s in Reading and Literacy in 2021" list by Best Value Schools (2021)
  • Ranked in the "Best Online Doctor of Education Programs" by The Princeton Review (2021, 2023)
  • Ranked No. 14 for "Most Affordable Early Childhood Education Programs" by DiscoverEarlyChildhoodEDU.org (2021)
  • Ranked No. 32 in "Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 7 in the "Best Accredited Online Master's in Educational Leadership" by BestColleges.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 19 for the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Instructional Design" by BestCollegesOnline.org (2020)
  • Ranked No. 30 in "Best Online Master's in Education Programs for Veterans" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 3 in "The Top 50 Online Master’s in Educational Leadership" by Intelligent.com (2020)
  • Ranked No. 96 in "Best Online Master's in Education Programs" by U.S. News & World Report (2020)
  • Ranked No. 15 in the "Best Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 13 in the "Best Online Master's in Elementary Education Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 17 in the "The Best Online Master's in Reading & Literacy Programs" by BestColleges.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 1 in the "20 Most Affordable PhD in Online Teaching Online 2019" by AffordableSchools.net (2019)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "15 Cheapest Online Programs in Educational Leadership and Administration" by TopEducationDegrees.org (2019)
  • Ranked No. 34 in the "Best Online Master's in Special Education" by onlineschoolsreport.com (2019)
  • Ranked No. 2 in the "14 Cheap Doctorates in Curriculum and Instruction Online 2019" by BestValueSchools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 5 in the "Top 45 Cheapest Master’s in Educational Technology Online 2019" by BestValueSchools.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 11 in the "The 30 Best Online Master's in Educational Leadership Degree Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 4 in the "The 10 Best Online Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Best Online Doctorate in Educational Technology Degree Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 2 for "Best Bachelor's in Special Education Online Degree Programs" by BestCollegeReviews.org (2018)
  • UWF Doctoral Program welcomed to the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate (CPED) Consortium (2018)
  • Ranked No. 12 in the list of "Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Special Education" by BestEducationDegrees.com (2018)
  • Ranked No. 18 for the "Most Affordable Online Master's in Educational Leadership" by BestCollegesOnline.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Best Online Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction Programs" by TheBestSchools.org (2018)
  • Ranked No. 8 in the "Most Affordable Online Doctoral Degrees" by SR Education Group (2018)
  • Ranked No. 17 in the "Best Early Childhood Education Degrees" by CollegeChoice.net (2018)
  • Ranked No. 48 in the "50 Best Online Master of Special Education Degree Programs" by MastersProgramGuide.com for the Best Online Master's Programs (2018)
  • Ranked No. 5 for the "Best Online Doctorate's in Curriculum and Instruction" by CollegeChoice.net (2018)