Florida Atlantic University Ranking

USA

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144

No of Courses

#Top 1400

Rank(QS Top Universities)

Government

University Type

Did You Know:

Florida Atlantic University has officially established itself as one of the most prestigious colleges and universities in the United States for its noteworthy research accomplishments, receiving the highly distinguished R1 title. They are, therefore, among the top 5% of universities in the country.
With 1,059 students, India is the largest country of origin among Florida Atlantic University's international student population.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has been a top public research institution in South Florida since 1964. It holds a strong national position, ranking #189 in the 2024 U.S. News "National University" category. Globally, it maintains a stable ranking of #1201 in the QS 2025 'University Ranking' category and holds the #601 spot in the 2024 THE 'University Ranking,’

Operating across five South Florida campuses, FAU serves over 30,000 students, including a diverse international community. FAU hosts approximately 2,501 students and scholars from 101 countries.

Notably, FAU has 10 colleges offering 180 courses in medicine, engineering, and the arts. The university’s commitment to academic excellence is visible in its U.S. News & World Report rankings.

Check out more details on Florida Atlantic University's ranking below:

Florida Atlantic University Rankings 2024-25

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has shown significant growth in various national and international rankings over the past three years. Its improved ranking in the U.S. News & World Report from 263rd in 2023 to 189th in 2025 clearly shows its growth.

While the QS World University Ranking places it within the 1201-1400 range globally, these rankings offer insight into FAU's standing relative to other institutions worldwide.

The table below summarizes the Florida Atlantic University rankings over three significant years from 2023 to 2025.

Ranking Body	2023	2024	2025
QS World University Rankings	1201-1400	1201-1400	1201-1400
THE (Times Higher Education) University Rankings	801-1000	801-1000	601-800
U.S. News Rankings- National Universities	263	209	189

The shifting trends in Florida Atlantic University's rankings over the years can be illustrated through the following graph:

Between 2023 and 2025, FAU has made consistent progress in national and global rankings.

Its U.S. News ranking improved significantly, climbing from #263 to #189, highlighting stronger academic outcomes and student support. In the Times Higher Education rankings, FAU moved up to the 601–800 band in 2025, reflecting gains in research and teaching quality.

However, its QS World University Ranking held steady at 1201–1400, suggesting global recognition is growing more slowly.Overall, FAU has shown positive growth in national rankings and some improvement in global rankings, reflecting progress in university performance.

To understand where Florida Atlantic University truly shines, let’s move beyond overall ranking and have a look at subject-specific ranking.

Subject-Wise Rankings of Florida Atlantic University

The FAU has earned commendations in specific subjects. In business, International Business ranks 22nd and Undergraduate Business Programs 147th. Nursing ranks 130th. Psychology and Economics rank 229th and 240th, respectively.

Additionally, Florida Atlantic University is ranked #93 among the Best Graduate Medical Schools by US News. Additionally, US News has it ranked #117 for Computer Engineering PG. Additionally, QS has ranked Florida Atlantic University's courses, such as medicine as top programs.

The following section details FAU’s subject-wise performance in QS, THE, and U.S. News rankings.

QS Ranking

The QS World University Rankings emphasize academic reputation and employer perception, making them a key measure of faculty influence and graduate success. FAU's #601 ranking in Business Management and Studies highlights its growing expertise and leadership in business management.

The table below details FAU's latest subject-wise performance in QS rankings.

Subject	Rankings 2025
Business & Management Studies	#601-650
Medicine	#701-850
Computer Science & Information System	#751-850

THE (Times Higher Education) Rankings

The Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings focus on teaching quality, research impact, and industry collaboration. Specifically, FAU excels in Computer Science, securing a position within the top 251 bracket.

The table below presents FAU’s subject-specific performance in THE rankings.

Subject	Rankings 2025
Arts & Humanities	601
Business & Economics	301-400
Medical and Health	601-800
Computer Science	251-300

U.S. News Rankings

The U.S. News Rankings prioritize faculty research impact and academic excellence, often favoring U.S. institutions. FAU’s 22nd rank in Business reflects its influence in management education, while its Engineering ranking sees competitive shifts.

The table below highlights FAU’s latest subject-specific standings in U.S. News rankings.

Subject	Ranking 2025
Engineering	168
Business & Economics	240
Nursing	130

To get a better understanding of Florida Atlantic University’s global position and impact, let's view the university's performance across a wider range of assessments.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

The Miscellaneous ranking for Florida Atlantic University gives insights into the university’s performance in major non-academic areas. These rankings such as QS Sustainability and Niche focus on sustainability, diversity, community engagement, and veteran support, which are critical to developing an excellent university environment.

These rankings determine the university's overall reputation and give students, faculty, and stakeholders an idea of how the university performs in other areas.

The table below presents FAU’s latest standings in these critical areas.

Ranking Agency	Ranking Description	Ranking
QS Sustainability Rankings	Assesses universities' environmental and social impact.	#781
Shanghai Ranking (ARWU)	Global ranking focusing on research output, including publications and citations.	#801-901
Niche	Niche rankings are based on a rigorous analysis of key U.S. Department of Education statistics and millions of reviews.	#246

Each of the Florida Atlantic University rankings in the table highlights different aspects of the institution’s strengths.

The global research output, as shown by Shanghai Ranking #801-901, suggests areas for improvement in publications and citations. Similarly, the QS Sustainability Rankings of #-781 shows the need for improved environmental and social impact initiatives.

In contrast, Niche places Stanford at number 246 based on official academic data and feedback from millions of reviews, showing the university's high faculty quality and high student satisfaction.

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Florida Atlantic University: Excellence and Achievements

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) continues to be recognized for its academic excellence and community engagement, providing students with a well-rounded college experience.

The University has earned national recognition for student outcomes and is proudly ranked as the most diverse public university in Florida. Beyond this, the university is also ranked #1 for campus ethnic diversity.

The following sections showcase FAU’s distinguished recognition across academics, culture, and community engagement.

Academic Recognitions

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has earned notable academic recognitions across various fields. For instance, FAU has been designated the #1 Doctoral-Level Undergraduate Research University, indicating its commitment to early research engagement.

Below is a selection of top academic honors that FAU has received:

Category	Recognition
Undergraduate Awards	#1 Doctoral-Level Undergraduate Research University
University Awards	FAU Receives $1 Million Gift for AI Lab
Faculty Honors	FAU Awarded $2.4 million NSF Grant to Train Data Scientists

Cultural Recognitions

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has received several cultural recognitions that highlight its commitment to diversity, the arts, and literature. Here are the notable honors. FAU has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for its inclusivity and equitable practices.

The table lists the top cultural recognitions that FAU has received:

Category	Recognition
Diversity and Inclusion	FAU Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award
Literary Contributions	FAU’s Creative Writing Program is known for publishing award-winning works, including national and international literature contributions.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

The Florida Atlantic University offers students a variety of platforms to explore their passions, including Theater Arts productions, Jazz Ensemble performances, and Student Art Exhibitions. FAU also promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through programs like the Creative Arts Collaboration Program.

Category	Recognition
Cultural Programs	FAU offers a variety of cultural events and programs, including theater productions, art exhibitions, and music festivals, which enrich the campus experience for all students.
Interdisciplinary Creativity	The university encourages collaboration across disciplines, offering students opportunities to engage in creative research, art installations, and performances.

FAU’s universities have several achievements in academics, culture, and community service, solidifying its reputation as a top university for higher education.

Let’s now understand Florida Atlantic University’s ranking in relation to its acceptance rate.

Florida Atlantic University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

The relationship between university rankings and acceptance rates presents an interesting perspective. While a low acceptance rate suggests selectivity, it doesn't always correlate directly with high rankings. Rankings reflect academic strength, faculty, research, and outcomes, while acceptance rates mirror admissions strategy and diversity goals.

For instance, FAU's Medicine program, ranked #601-800 by THE, has a highly selective 5.6% acceptance rate, suggesting strong applicant competition despite its ranking.

Below is a table that compares some of FAU's top programs, highlighting both their rankings and acceptance rates:

Course	THE University Ranking	Acceptance Rate
Medicine	#601-800	5.6%
Business & Economics	#301-400	58%
Computer Science	#251-300	54.9%
Arts & Humanities	#601	NA

Note: overall figure is for admissions across all undergraduate and graduate programs.

It is slightly easier to get admission to FAU University USA than to other top US universities because of its moderately high acceptance rate. Florida Atlantic University's acceptance rate is 81%, which makes admission slightly easier for students.

For highly competitive programs like Medicine, the acceptance rate is considerably lower, as seen with a 5.6% acceptance rate. This indicates that while FAU offers broad access to higher education, individual programs may have strict admission criteria.

Ranking Bodies Methodologies

QS, Times Higher Education (THE), and U.S. News & World Report are the leading university ranking systems that have become benchmarks for examining university performance.

Each ranking focuses on academic reputation, research quality, and global outlook to determine universities' performance.

The following sections give a detailed explanation of how these bodies evaluate institutions.

QS World Rankings

The QS World University Rankings checks the reputation, employer perception, and research impact of the university. Their evaluation method is geared toward students who prioritize academic prestige and career readiness, with a strong focus on employability and global outlook.

The table below details the key criteria used in QS evaluations.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
Research and Discovery	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
Employability and Outcomes	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

THE Rankings evaluate universities based on their research strength, teaching quality, and international reach.

Their evaluation method focuses more on the research output, reputation, teaching environment, global staff and student presence, and industry partnerships.

Students interested in strong academics, research-driven environments, and international collaboration will find these rankings especially helpful.

The table below outlines its key ranking factors.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
Industry	Patents	2%

U.S. News and World Report Rankings

U.S. News & World Report ranks universities based on student outcomes, faculty strength, and institutional resources.

Their evaluation method focuses more on graduation and retention rates and factors like faculty salaries, student-faculty ratios, and financial investment per student.

The rankings also consider peer assessments, debt outcomes, and placements after graduation, making them ideal for students looking for long-term career potential.

The table below breaks down the U.S. News ranking methodology.

Focus Indicators	Weightage
Graduation Rates	16%
First-year retention rates	5%
Graduation rate performance	10%
Pell graduation rates	5.5%
Pell graduation performance	5.5%
College grads earn more than a high school grad	5%
Borrower debt	5%
Peer assessment	20%
Financial resources	8%
Faculty salaries	8%
Full-time faculty	3%
Student-faculty ratio	4%
Standardized tests	5%

While FAU may not yet rank among the world’s top-tier universities, its consistent presence across QS, THE, and U.S. News rankings shows meaningful progress in areas like student outcomes, faculty quality, and international engagement.

These rankings also highlight where FAU stands competitively, performing strongly in veteran services, social mobility, and online education.

Conclusion

With notable improvements in its THE and U.S. News & World Report rankings, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has demonstrated remarkable consistency in its performance across major ranking bodies in 2025.

The increase of FAU's THE rankings from the 801–1000 range to the 601–800 range displays the university's growing attention to research and international partnerships. Furthermore, the university's growth from 263rd to 189th in the U.S. News rankings indicates improving student outcomes and institutional reputation.

However, FAU’s position in the QS World Rankings remains stable at 1201-1400, suggesting room for growth in international engagement and research output.

All things considered, FAU's rising national rankings and growing academic recognition show a positive outlook for the university's future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How well is Florida Atlantic University regarded across the U.S.?

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a respected regional school in the Southeastern U.S. with rising national visibility. In the U.S. News & World Report, it ranked in the Top 300 National Universities, #132 among Top Public Schools, and #150 for Best Colleges for Veterans. FAU also ranked #41 for Social Mobility, highlighting its strong support for military-affiliated students and its focus on access, inclusion, and flexible learning formats.

Is Florida Atlantic University considered a good choice for international students?

Yes, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a good choice for international students. The university offers a welcoming environment for students from diverse backgrounds, with a significant proportion of international students enrolled. According to recent data, FAU has approximately 1,500 international students from over 140 countries.

How does FAU compare with other public universities in Florida?

FAU stands out as one of the stronger public universities in Florida, particularly when compared to other State University System (SUS) schools like Florida State University (FSU) and the University of South Florida (USF). FAU is ranked #132 among the top public universities and performs well in areas like engineering (ranked in the top 200 by U.S. News) and business (ranked 147th for undergraduate business programs).

What kind of reputation does FAU have in engineering?

FAU has a strong reputation in computer science. The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers top-level research facilities and has earned national recognition for its faculty research and student outcomes. According to U.S. News & World Report, FAU’s engineering programs are often ranked among the top 200 in the country.

How strong is Florida Atlantic University in business and management education?

FAU has a solid business and management education reputation, with particular strengths in undergraduate business programs, MBA offerings, and accounting. The College of Business at FAU offers various business degrees respected regionally, including marketing, finance, and management. U.S. News & World Report ranks the undergraduate business program 147th, and the university’s MBA program is well-regarded for its focus on practical, industry-relevant skills.

How is FAU viewed globally among higher education institutions?

Globally, Florida Atlantic University is seen as a regional player rather than a top-tier global institution. It is recognized for its growing research output and diverse student body and is listed in the QS World Rankings within the 1201-1400 range.

Has Florida Atlantic University’s reputation changed in recent years?

Yes, Florida Atlantic University’s reputation has improved significantly in recent years, particularly in the fields of research, student outcomes, and community engagement. For instance, FAU moved from the 801-1000 range in 2023 to the 601-800 range in 2025, reflecting the university’s increased research output and global collaborations. FAU has also improved its position in National university rankings, moving from 263rd in 2023 to 189th in 2025.

Where does FAU stand in terms of research output and innovation?

FAU is experiencing significant growth in research output and innovation, particularly in marine science, biotechnology, and neuroscience. The R1 designation highlights its increased research activity. Its research centers and institutes contribute to advancements in various fields, establishing it as a growing center for innovation.

Is FAU recognized for its online MBA or distance learning programs?

FAU is well-regarded for its online MBA program and other distance learning options. The College of Business offers an online MBA highly regarded for its flexibility and industry relevance. The program allows working professionals to balance their education with work commitments, making it popular among students in South Florida and beyond.

How does FAU perform in terms of student experience and campus life?

FAU offers a rich student experience and vibrant campus life. The university is home to many clubs, organizations, and student activities, making it an attractive choice for students seeking a well-rounded college experience. FAU’s campus in Boca Raton, a city known for its beautiful beaches and cultural events, provides students with ample opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.

Is Florida Atlantic University known for supporting social mobility and affordability?

Yes, Florida Atlantic University is known for supporting social mobility and affordability. FAU is strongly committed to serving first-generation college students and those from low-income families, offering a range of financial aid options. Around 60% of FAU's students receive some form of financial aid, which includes scholarships, work-study programs, and federal grants.

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