FIU continues climbing in the U.S. News and World Report rankings released on Monday, coming in at No. 64 in the nation among public universities. FIU has jumped 64 spots among public universities and 91 spots overall in the past decade.

In addition, the university came in at No. 12 most innovative and No. 9 for undergraduate teaching among public universities.

FIU also ranked No. 2 in the nation for undergraduate international business, for the fifth consecutive year.

This year’s rankings were calculated with a greater emphasis on outcomes for graduating students, according to U.S. News. The annual rankings have assisted parents and students in selecting schools since 1983.

“Everywhere you look lately, FIU is being recognized for excellence and the superb return on investment we offer our students,” said President Kenneth A. Jessell. “This is not a coincidence but the result of years of focus and hard work. Our students, faculty, staff and alumni have worked hard and now the evidence of success is everywhere.”

The U.S. News rankings are the latest in a recent flood of accolades for FIU.

FIU’s designation as a Carnegie “R1” research university, the highest category of doctoral-granting institutions, puts FIU among the top 3% of the nation’s 4,300 colleges and universities with more than $300 million in research expenditures annually.

“Our strategy of investing in evidence-based student success programs and supporting world-class research is yielding the intended results,” said Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth M. Béjar. “FIU is forward-thinking, innovative, unstoppable.”