{"id":154475,"date":"2026-07-28T14:57:31","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T18:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=154475"},"modified":"2026-07-28T14:57:31","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T18:57:31","slug":"ucf-joins-state-university-system-of-florida-in-celebrating-a-decade-of-no-1-state-for-higher-education-ranking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-joins-state-university-system-of-florida-in-celebrating-a-decade-of-no-1-state-for-higher-education-ranking\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Joins State University System of Florida in Celebrating a Decade of No. 1 State for Higher Education Ranking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today,\u00a0UCF\u00a0joins\u00a0the\u00a0State University System of Florida\u00a0in celebrating\u00a0a decade of excellence as Florida is once again ranked No.\u00a01\u00a0for\u00a0Higher\u00a0Education\u00a0in the nation\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. News & World Report<\/em>\u2019s 2026 State Rankings. Since the\u00a0inception\u00a0of the rankings in 2017, Florida has led the nation in delivering\u00a0high-quality,\u00a0affordable\u00a0and accessible public higher education.<\/p>\n

To mark this historic achievement, the State University System will launch Florida 10 for 10: Celebrating a Decade of Leading Higher Education, a statewide competitive scholarship initiative awarding up to $1,000 to 10 full-time undergraduate students at each participating university.<\/p>\n

The\u00a010\u00a0scholarships\u00a0awarded\u00a0to UCF students\u00a0will be available\u00a0through the\u00a0university\u2019s\u00a0scholarship application program A2O<\/a>.\u00a0To apply, students\u00a0are required to\u00a0submit\u00a0a written essay or a video essay explaining why they chose to pursue higher education in Florida and why they selected UCF. Applications\u00a0will open Monday, Aug. 3,\u00a0and\u00a0are due Oct.\u00a02.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida\u2019s Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost \u2014 student achievement.\u201d \u2014 Alan Levin, Florida Board of Governors chair<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In addition to\u00a0the Florida 10 for 10\u00a0scholarships, students\u00a0will\u00a0also\u00a0be able\u00a0to complete their\u00a0general\u00a0scholarship applications\u00a0through\u00a0the\u00a0A2O\u00a0portal<\/a>,\u00a0which connects them\u00a0with hundreds of scholarships\u00a0through UCF colleges and departments.\u00a0In\u00a0fiscal year 2025\u00a0alone,\u00a0UCF awarded more than\u00a03,200 scholarships and over $7.5 million to\u00a0students.<\/p>\n

\u201cFlorida\u2019s Board of Governors cares about one thing, first and foremost\u00a0\u2014\u00a0student achievement,\u201d says\u00a0Board of Governors Chair Alan Levine. \u201cParents and students know that when they choose Florida\u2019s system of higher education, they are investing in a degree that has value. Our students graduate with low or no debt, and they have high-value jobs they can compete for. That is what students,\u00a0parents\u00a0and taxpayers rightly expect. Student success is behind every decision we make as Florida\u2019s governing body for higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am deeply proud to lead and represent the No. 1 public university system in the nation,\u201dsays State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues.\u201cAt a time when confidence in higher education is being tested, Florida has remained focused on improving student outcomes and ensuring academic programs are grounded in merit and excellence. By prioritizing skills and qualifications, our universities are developing the next generation of leaders for Florida and the nation. I thank our university leadership, faculty and staff whose dedication and commitment make this success possible every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence, opportunity and innovation.\u201d \u2014 Alexander N. Cartwright, 女仆AV president<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cFlorida\u2019s future is being built by the talent developed across our State University System. Our decade of nationwide higher education leadership reflects a commitment to excellence,\u00a0opportunity\u00a0and innovation,\u201d says\u00a0UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. \u201cThis recognition illustrates what is possible when universities align education with rapidly evolving societal needs. As Florida\u2019s Technological University, 女仆AV is proud to produce in-demand talent at an unmatched scale while preparing the tech-literate professionals who will shape Florida\u2019s next generation of prosperity.\u201d<\/p>\n

That leadership is reflected in outcomes that matter most to students and families. Florida\u2019s public universities compete successfully on\u00a0the\u00a0national stage, ensuring graduates earn high\u2011quality degrees and move confidently into their careers and entrepreneurial opportunities.<\/p>\n

Additional\u00a0Florida higher education highlights include:<\/p>\n