USF Among Nation's And World's Best For Global Impact

TAMPA, FL —The University of South Florida on Friday learned it was ranked among the nation's and the world's best universities in the Times of Higher Education's (THE) third edition of the Impact Rankings.

USF was No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 30 in the world in the overall rankings, which are based on schools' efforts toward meeting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The SDGs, of which there are 17, were established to forge global partnerships between various sectors, pooling resources and sharing expertise, while collectively working toward a more sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future.

USF was ranked in the nation's top 20 in all 17 SDGs, including being No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 2 in the world for its innovative solutions to end poverty.

The university also excelled in areas like:

• Providing clean water and sanitation
• Addressing emerging global health issues
• Protecting and enhancing marine ecosystems
• Creating technologies that strengthen the world's infrastructures and industries
• Establishing new efforts to reduce inequalities.

"The University of South Florida's mission as a global urban research university reflects our deep commitment to addressing the greatest challenges facing communities here in the Tampa Bay region and around the world through impactful research and a dedication to student access for success," USF President Steven Currall said in a release.

"We're proud to join the world's top universities in the development and application of innovative and interdisciplinary research focused on sustainable development. Together we can help ensure a better and more sustainable future in our own communities and around the world."

According to THE, USF was rated highly for its effort to eliminate poverty because the school has one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, has approximately 40 percent of students who are eligible for Pell Grants, features many students who are the first in their family to attend college, graduates minority and non-minority students at equal rates and guarantees admission to local students from underrepresented groups.