April 7, 2026 — The University of Florida College of Medicine has been recognized as one of the nation’s top medical schools by U.S. News and World Report.

In the publication’s 2026 report, UF Medicine was named one of 16 institutions ranked in Tier 1, the top percentile. U.S. News released information on its methodologies, which were fully updated this year, alongside the rankings.

“We are proud to be recognized among a wonderful group of institutions in the top-tier ranking,” said Jennifer Hunt, M.D., M.Ed., interim dean of the College of Medicine and the Folke H. Peterson Dean’s Distinguished Professor. “We also know this represents just one measure of our impact. True success is reflected in the achievements of our students and the strength of our research environment.”

The news comes on the heels of an exceptional Match Day, where students in the UF M.D. Class of 2026 earned residency placements in highly competitive programs across 27 states. Graduates will begin training in their respective specialties this summer.

“More than a third of our graduating students are continuing their training in the state of Florida, and a significant number of those are staying at UF in both Gainesville and Jacksonville,” said Shelley Collins, M.D., the senior associate dean for educational affairs. “It’s clear that our excellence extends far beyond any single ranking. These outcomes speak to the dedication of our faculty, the caliber of our students and the collaborative culture that defines our college.”

The newest group of students in the UF M.D. Class of 2029, who began their studies last summer, are among the college’s most selective class. Before joining medical school, many of them participated in volunteer service for clinical care and research, spent time as college athletes and nurtured passions outside of the medical field. With 86% of the class being Florida residents, the college is training the best and brightest students in the Sunshine State to become future doctors and health care leaders.

UF’s medical students consistently perform above the national average for medical student exams, with a Step 1 exam pass rate of 97% (national average: 91%) and Step 2 exam pass rate of 99% (national average 98%).

Over the past year, the UF College of Medicine has maintained a steady velocity as it expanded research and education offerings.

The college recently announced the launch of a new educational program in Jacksonville, where beginning this fall, a cohort of UF medical students will spend their third- and fourth-years training full-time in the River City. Building on a strong, long-standing partnership with the Jacksonville campus, the program offers an immersive, on-the-ground experience in a vibrant urban setting — where students can deepen clinical skills, care for new patient populations and establish lasting professional roots. At the same time, it strengthens the connective tissue between the Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses, creating a more unified, collaborative learning environment.

Research also continues to be a cornerstone of the college, where a record-breaking $176 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health during the 2025 fiscal year, per data from the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, has driven hundreds of research projects in the past year. From a potential universal cancer therapy to new insights into diabetes that have led to updates for national guidelines to AI-driven advances in Parkinson’s diagnosis, the college’s research engine is delivering breakthroughs with real-world impact.

UF continues to lead the state’s public universities in research funding and secured the highest level of NIH support among Florida public institutions in FY25.

“Our commitment to research is a commitment to the future of health,” said Azra Bihorac, M.D., M.S., the senior associate dean for research and R. Glenn Davis Professor of Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesiology and Physiology. “Each discovery, collaboration and investment in our people strengthens our ability to solve the most complex challenges in medicine. The progress we’re seeing today reflects years of dedication and a shared belief in what’s possible. As we continue to grow our research enterprise, we are not only advancing science — we are creating real pathways to better care, better outcomes and a healthier world.”