Forbes Magazine Ranks UNF Among Best Colleges in America

Contact: Joanna Norris, Associate Director 

Department of Public Relations 

(904) 620-2102 

The University of North Florida has just been named as one of the top colleges and universities across the country in the annual “America’s Best Colleges” 2011 list, created by Forbes Magazine.  

The University beat out 10 other Florida universities in the rankings, including the University of Central Florida, Florida International University, Florida Atlantic University and the University of South Florida.  

UNF was the only Northeast Florida institution of higher learning to make the list and was ranked No. 491 in the country. Forbes also ranked the colleges by region and UNF was named No. 137 in the South. Currently, there are 6,600 higher education institutions throughout the United States. 

“This national ranking validates what we already know,” said UNF President John Delaney. “UNF is on a journey to greatness that will be guided by our commitments to excellence, focus, relevance and accountability. While the University already has experienced some remarkable developments, the best is yet to come.” 

The magazine’s annual list is compiled in conjunction with the Center for College Affordability and Productivity. According to Forbes, more than 650 schools—the top 20 percent of all undergraduate institutions—were ranked based on a numerical formula which assesses each school in the following categories: post-graduate success, student satisfaction, student debt, four-year graduation rates and competitive awards. 

The Forbes rankings come just after the Princeton Review released their annual college guidebook that listed UNF as one of 135 “Best Colleges in the Southeast.” This was the fourth consecutive year that the University received this designation. 

For more information on the Forbes ranking and its complete list of colleges, go to http://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/list/ . 

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