Accreditations & Affiliations

Widely recognized for its excellent programs, the University of West Florida holds many accreditations, affiliations and rankings.

Accreditations & Affiliations

The University of West Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees. The University of West Florida also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of The University of West Florida may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling 404.679.4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The Bachelor of Science in Clinical Lab Sciences – MLT to MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and is licensed by the Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel.

The baccalaureate degree in nursing/master’s degree in nursing at UWF is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits University of West Florida. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement

The University of West Florida is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.

Social work programs at UWF are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.

Rankings

• U.S. News & World Report
  • No. 45 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs — 2024
  • No. 30 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans — 2024
  • No. 8 in Best Colleges for Veterans — regional universities south — 2024
  • No. 27 in the best regional universities south — 2024
  • No. 10 in the top public schools — regional universities south — 2024
  • No. 45 in Best Value Schools — 2024
  • No. 56 in the top performers on social mobility — 2024
  • No. 42 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs — 2024
  • No. 23 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans — 2024
  • No. 58 in the best value schools — 2022
  • No. 14 in Most Innovative School — 2021

• “Top Ten Military Friendly® School – Large Public Category” — 2023-2024
• Received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine — 2018-2023
• Named a “Best for Vets College” by Military Times — 2019-2023
• UWF named a College of Distinction in 2022-2023 Cohort by Colleges of Distinction
• No. 3 in “Best Online Colleges in Florida” by BestValueSchools.com — 2021
• No. 23 for “Best Online Public Colleges and Universities” by College Consensus — 2021
• Named a “Military Spouse Friendly School” by Viqtory Media — 2021
• No. 10 for the “Best Value Online Colleges & Universities” by College Consensus — 2021
• Ranked Most Innovative in the “Best Colleges in Florida” by Intelligent.com — 2021
• No. 5 in the best online colleges & universities in Florida by College Consensus — 2020 
• Ranked in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education college rankings — 2017-2020
• No. 7 in the state in WalletHub’s list of top higher education institutions — 2020
• No. 77 for veteran friendliness by College Factual — 2020

School of Education

• No.142 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report — 2024
• No. 34 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report 2024
• No. 6 for “Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs” by Intelligent.com – 2022
• No. 5 for “Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs” by TheBestSchools.org – 2022
• No. 13 for “Best Online Master’s in Educational Leadership Programs” by BestColleges.com – 2022
• No. 7 in the Best Accredited Online Master’s in Educational Leadership by BestColleges.com — 2020 
• No. 3 in “The Top 50 Online Master’s in Educational Leadership” by Intelligent.com — 2020

Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering

• No. 39 in “Best Online Master’s Information Technology Programs” for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report — 2024
• No. 17 in Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report — 2024
• No. 22 in Best Bachelor Degrees in Cyber Security by Best Accredited Colleges – 2022
• No. 2 in Best Online IT Degree Programs by EDsmart – 2022
• Ranked No. 2 in the “Best Affordable Online Cybersecurity Master Degree Programs” by Cybersecurity Guide — 2020
• No. 3 in the “Top 40 Online Master’s Degrees in Computer Science” by Intelligent.com — 2020

Usha Kundu, MD College of Health

• No. 15 in the Master’s Nursing Veterans category by U.S. News & World Report (the only university in the Florida State University System to rank) — 2024
• No. 124 in  Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report — 2024
• No. 6 for “Top 10 RN to MSN Programs” by NursingSchoolHub.com — 2022
• No. 4 in the “Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science Programs” by BestColleges.com — 2022
• Ranked Best Online Nursing School Master’s Programs by the Princeton Review — 2022
• No. 7 in the “Best Online Bachelor’s in Health Science Degree Programs” by Intelligent.com — 2021
• No. 99 in Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report — 2021
• Ranked No. 14 for “Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Nursing Educator Programs” by NursingSchoolHub.com — 2021