Earlier today, the Institute of International Education released the U.S. Open Doors Reporthighlighting U.S. universities with the highest study abroad participation in the country. Once again, the University of Florida (UF) was listed as a national leader in U.S. study abroad, ranking 7th in Leading Institution by Institutional Type, and 5th in Short Term Program Duration.
UF saw record-breaking study abroad numbers for the 2024-2025 academic year, with 3,472 students participating in international academic experiences – a 14% growth compared to last year and a 48% growth compared to just three years ago. This year, the graduation rate for UF undergraduates who had a study abroad experience is at a historic high of 20%.
“This amazing increase shows that our students are eager to participate in international experiences,” said Marta L. Wayne, Dean of the UF International Center. “The fact that the growth is taking place entirely via increased participation in UF faculty-led programs tells us that our students want these unique opportunities to get to know and work with our faculty in smaller settings, as well as recognizing the guarantee of excellence in academics that the UF name provides.”
Of the 3,472 students who studied abroad last year, nearly 85% participated in UF-sponsored programs, which are developed and led by university faculty and staff. These programs span a wide range of disciplines and destinations and are designed to ensure academic rigor and safety while maximizing cultural immersion. UF operated 111 sponsored programs during 2024–2025, in addition to its portfolio of exchanges and affiliate programs.
UF’s Warrington College of Business led all UF Colleges in study abroad participation, with over 1,000 of their students going abroad. The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences, and the College of Journalism and Communications rounded out the top five.
This year’s study abroad participation is already on track to increase. The UF International Center held a hugely successful Study Abroad Fair on September 24, with over 1,600 interested students in attendance. During the months of September and October 2025 alone, 2,200 new study abroad applications were opened for programs taking place in 2026.
For more information about UF Study Abroad programs, visit https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/study-abroad.