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 — 2025
No. 30 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans — 2025
No. 9 in Best Colleges for Veterans — regional universities south — 2025
No. 23 in the best regional universities south — 2025
No. 10 in the top public schools — regional universities south — 2025
No. 48 in Best Value Schools — 2025
No. 37 in the top performers on social mobility — 2025
No. 14 in Most Innovative School — 2021

“Best Online College in Florida” by Forbes (2024)

“Top Ten Military Friendly® School – Large Public Category” — 2023-2024

Gold-level Military Friendly® School” in the large public school category — 2017, 2020, 2021, 2023

“Military Spouse Friendly® School” in the large public school category (2021, 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 Most Affordable Colleges Offering Online Bachelor’s Degrees by EDsmart — 2022

No. 3 in “Best Online Colleges in Florida” by BestValueSchools.com — 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.100 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs by U.S. News & World Report — 2025
No. 28 in Best Online Master’s in Education Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report 2025
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. 37 in “Best Online Master’s Information Technology Programs” for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report — 2025
No. 19 in Best Online Master’s in Computer Information Technology Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report — 2025
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) — 2025
No. 62 in Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs by U.S. News & World Report — 2025
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