(This story and its headline have been updated to accurately reflect the most current information)
The University of Florida is among the 10 public universities on Forbes’ 2026 “New Ivies” list, released April 8.
It marks the second time UF has earned the designation since the rankings debuted in 2024, after missing the list in 2025.
The schools included in the rankings were described as leaders in AI adoption for their efforts to prepare students to work with artificial intelligence, including adapting curricula to meet job market needs.
Forbes’ third annual "New Ivies" rankings list 10 private and public schools whose alumni are viewed favorably by employers. Forbes surveyed over 100 C-Suite and hiring executives to compile the list. Nearly 25% of those surveyed for the rankings said AI would reduce their need for entry level college graduates. But that news shouldn’t discourage new college graduates.
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Those who succeed in the age of AI, executives said, will be comfortable using the technology to improve their work.
“AI won’t fully replace all those entry-level jobs, but those people that know how to use AI will replace those that don't know how to use AI,” said Rice University Provost Amy Dittmar in a press release.
UF has strengthened its commitment to artificial intelligence in recent years.
In 2020, Nvidia cofounder and alumnus Chris Malachowsky donated $50 million, including hardware, software and training and services, to UF to jumpstart AI research at the university, which offers a nine-credit AI fundamentals and applications certificate to undergraduates and AI certificates in disciplines like tourism and hospitality, public health and health care, and the arts. UF’s 4th generation AI supercomputer HiPerGator was unveiled late last year.
The university has also hired dozens of staff with expertise in AI and offers over 200 AI-related courses to students.
“Universities need to get ahead of the curve as artificial intelligence reshapes industries from engineering to the arts. How can they infuse AI into their curricula in a way that will be useful to students today and in five years? The answer lies in embracing a diversity of AI technologies across different disciplines, setting ambitious goals, and building in adaptability to change." UF interim Provost Joe Glover previously said.
Other public schools on the list include the United States Air Force Academy, Georgia Teach, the University of Michigan, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Private institutions on the list include Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Emory University in Atlanta and Vanderbilt in Tennessee.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Forbes ranks UF among 2026 public ‘New Ivies’