–By Lourdes Perez for FIU News

FIU is among the top universities that give back to their communities and country by promoting social mobility, research and public service, according to Washington Monthly Magazine.

In the magazine’s 2019 College Rankings, FIU ranked No. 43 in the Public National Universities category (number 72 overall) out of 395 universities – up from No. 54 in 2018. FIU also ranked No. 5 among public universities (number 14 overall) in the Best Bang for the Buck in the Southeast U.S. rankings for colleges that help low-income students attain marketable degrees at affordable prices.

“FIU is of Miami, for Miami,” said FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg. “This top 50 ranking tells us that we are fulfilling our mission to provide our community access to an education that translates into a great job and a better life for the entire family.”

The two rankings take into account factors such as graduation rates, number of Pell Grant recipients and first-generation students, median earnings 10 years after entering college, net price of attendance for families making less than $75,000 per year, and repayment rates.

“It is exciting that FIU is being recognized for our exceptional faculty and student success by achieving another Top 50 public university ranking,” said FIU Provost and Executive Vice President Kenneth G. Furton.

The National Universities ranking included rankings in the categories of social mobility, research and public service, with sub-rankings in areas such as total research expenditures, number of bachelor’s recipients who go on to receive doctorate degrees, number of faculty who are members of the National Academies, number of alumni who went into the Peace Corps or served in ROTC, the percentage of federal work-study funds that went to community service, and college voting engagement, among other areas.

U.S. News & World Report rankings released earlier this week placed FIU 12th in the nation for social mobility.