Forbes has released its 2026 “America’s Top Colleges” list, showing the University of Florida (UF) slipping one spot to No. 5 among public universities and four places to No. 30 overall. Despite the marginal decline, UF remains the highest-ranked institution in Florida and continues to be cited by the magazine as a strong value proposition for students. Only the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Los Angeles and San Diego, along with the University of Michigan, placed ahead of UF in the public-school category. Forbes bases its rankings on outcomes such as alumni earnings, student debt levels and social mobility. UF’s profile lists average grant aid of $10,724, average debt of $6,562 and a median 20-year salary of $127,500, earning the school a place in Forbes’ separate top-25 return-on-investment table. The ranking arrives during a leadership transition in Gainesville. UF trustees have tapped Columbia University physician Donald Landry to become interim president on 1 September, replacing interim President Kent Fuchs. The university reported $1.33 billion in research funding and $560 million in gifts and commitments in the latest fiscal year, while applications for the Class of 2029 surged 23% to a record 91,884. Florida State University ranked No. 72 overall, followed by the University of Miami at 76, the University of South Florida at 112 and Florida International University at 150. In secondary education, Sarasota County’s Pine View School retained its standing as Florida’s top high school and placed 12th nationwide.