Message from the President: FIU is a Top 50 public university – and a Top 100 university – nationwide

The following message was sent this morning via email to faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and volunteer leaders. 

Dear members of the university community:

Panthers, we did it!

With great joy and immense pride, I share with you that FIU is a Top 50 public university – and a Top 100 university – nationwide.

According to U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges 2025 rankings released today, FIU is No. 46 among public universities and No. 98 overall, climbing 18 and 26 spots respectively. Our university has risen faster than any other university – public or private – in the past 10 years. Equally impressive is the fact that FIU tied for No.1 in the nation for social mobility, highlighting our contributions to the upward economic mobility of our graduates.

Today’s recognition reflects what many of us in South Florida have known for quite some time – FIU is a leading American university performing at the highest level in all higher education key measures. With a focus on student success and research excellence, FIU offers a superb return on investment for our students, and a ticket to professional and economic success.

Reaching Top 50 represents the culmination of many years of effort, outlined in the university's NextHorizon Strategic Plan, to ensure ALL FIU students receive the support, counseling and learning experiences necessary to graduate on time and with the skills needed to launch their careers.

Our university admits among the most talented and driven students and provides them with the tools to become the next generation of leaders in their fields. Our researchers are pioneering environmental resilience, advancing healthcare, creating technology to improve the world, and so much more. And our staff works tirelessly, every day, to ensure this university’s continued progress.

Panthers, we take on the world’s most pressing challenges and rise to meet them. Our university’s commitment to impact, student success and research excellence is what embodies the FIU spirit – forward-thinking, innovative, unstoppable.

The U.S. News ranking is the latest in a string of accolades for FIU. In the last three months alone, FIU has been named a Preeminent Research State University, taking its rightful place among Florida’s elite institutions. In addition, FIU has once again ranked first among Florida public universities in performance metrics. The Wall Street Journal ranked us the highest university in Florida, as well as No. 1 in social mobility and No. 3 in student experience; Washington Monthly ranked us No. 1 in Florida and Top 20 nationwide.

Without a doubt, FIU’s greatness is being recognized nationally, and it’s because of the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and our Board of Trustees. Your unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and championing excellence has been instrumental in elevating this university to new heights. Today we celebrate you.

I would like to thank Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, the state legislature and the Florida Board of Governors for their support during FIU’s upward trajectory.

With great success comes great responsibility. For the FIU family, that means we must continue to advance our mission to educate a new generation of leaders. We’re up to the challenge.

Today, let’s celebrate all that we have accomplished together! Join me at 2:30 p.m. at the breezeway of the Green Library at MMC for Unstoppable Together: A Celebration of FIU. We’ll have music, light bites and lots of Panther pride. I’m also counting on you to spread the good news about our recent successes and proudly wear your blue & gold on and off campus.

Paws up, Panthers!

Kenneth A. Jessell
President