TAMPA, Fla. — The University of South Florida is now ranked as one of the top 50 best public universities in the country by U.S. News and World Report. 

That makes USF the fastest-rising university in the country for the last five years. 

In 2015, the school was ranked the 88th best college on that list. Now it ranks No. 44, jumping 14 spots higher than last year when it sat at the 58th spot. 

“Our new ranking affirms USF’s position as one of the most promising universities in the nation. As USF is increasingly recognized as a destination for exceptionally talented students and faculty, it provides great benefits to the Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida,” said USF President Steve Currall. “We will continue our strategic focus on initiatives that will help propel USF to even greater heights in the future.”

In this year’s rankings, U.S. News also measured universities for the first time on “social mobility,” which assesses an institution’s success enrolling, retaining, and graduating students who come from families with lower incomes and receive federal Pell Grants. U.S. News ranks USF as the No. 9 public university in the nation in this category.