Florida A&M University (FAMU) climbed to 103 among top public universities as it continued to consolidate its place as the highest-ranked public Historically Black College and University (HBCU), according to U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 ranking.
FAMU climbed one place from 104 in 2021 in the rankings released Sept. 12, 2022.
FAMU is ranked 23 on the Social Mobility Index, which indicates the 134-year-old University’s ability to transform the economic trajectory of its graduates and their families. The University earned badges for ranking 68th among the Most Innovative Schools – National Universities and 66th for Undergraduate Teaching – National Universities. FAMU has been the highest-ranked public HBCU for four consecutive years.
President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said FAMU’s improved ranking reflects the commitment and hard work of students, faculty, and staff under challenging circumstances. The Board of Trustees’ recent approval of the University’s new five-year strategic plan, “Boldly Striking,” also dovetails with the latest rankings and illustrates where FAMU is headed.
“FAMU continues to carve a path forward in educating and training our graduates to have an impact in the communities where they live, work and serve,” Robinson added. “These rankings are no reason for complacency. They will encourage and inspire us to even greater achievements. We have more work to do.”
In the past year, FAMU experienced $24.6 million in fundraising and $75 million in research funding, which is crucial as the University aspires to Carnegie Research 1 status. This fall, there was a record number of first-year applications. The Class of 2026 has a 3.91 incoming grade point average.
As part of its strategic plan, the University has set a goal to be among the nation’s top 100 national public universities. The plan also set challenging goals for Student Success, Academic Excellence, Leveraging the Brand, Long-Term Fiscal Health and Sustainability, and Organizational Effectiveness and Transformation.
FAMU is ranked seventh among HBCUs, behind private institutions Spelman College, Howard University, Xavier University, Hampton University, Morehouse College, and Tuskegee University.
Board of Trustees Chairman Kelvin Lawson was encouraged by the news of the University’s upward trajectory.
“I’m excited by our continued rise in the rankings. It’s confirmation that we are moving in the right direction despite our short-term challenges,” Lawson said. “I am convinced our new strategic plan creates the framework for even greater improvements in the coming years.”
Florida A&M University earned multiple spots on the badge-eligible list of 2022-2023 Best Colleges because of its high rankings, as shown here: *National Universities #202; *Top Public Schools – National Universities #103; *Social Mobility – National Universities #23; *Most Innovative Schools – National Universities #68; *Undergraduate Teaching – National Universities #66; *Historically Black Colleges and Universities #7; Best Undergraduate Computer Science #215 and Best Undergraduate Nursing #247
