USF Named a Top College on Princeton Review’s 2026 List

According to the book’s editors, the 391 colleges and universities on the list represent 15 percent of the country’s four-year colleges, and USF’s inclusion is due to the editors’ “high opinion of its outstanding academic programs.”

Students’ opinions mattered, too. One Don described the school as "a culturally diverse community that teaches respect, dignity, and honor for all individuals," while another noted that students come “from all over the world” and “care about the community and believe in taking action to demonstrate their beliefs.” Still others mentioned that their fellow students are “artistic, smart, morally sound” and “committed to their education.”

In a nationwide survey, more than 170,000 students answered almost 100 questions about topics that ranged from financial aid to campus life, and included “How do you rate your campus food?” and “How many out-of-class hours do you spend studying?”

An average of 435 USF students responded to the survey. They extolled the school’s commitment to Jesuit education, calling it “outstanding for students who care about their community and the world beyond themselves." They said they appreciated that USF focuses on "developing the individual into a strong leader with a particular emphasis on the forces of self-reflection and self-awareness."

Other highlights: USF’s small class sizes and collaboration between teachers and students. One student appreciated that they were expected "to discuss, to ask questions, and to give feedback" in the classroom, and that the intellectual atmosphere "emphasizes acceptance, diversity, and critical thinking." Another emphasized that "It was not the professor's classroom...it was our classroom, all of us together," and praised the "interesting, engaging classes" and the "extremely talented, well-educated, hardworking, and passionate" professors who lead them. 

The Hilltop location also earned its share of accolades. “It’s the ultimate city to be in as a young person,” said one student. Another noted that “San Francisco is a global city with a wealth of opportunity.”