National standings showcase FSU RMI and Real Estate

Surging to new heights, the undergraduate real estate program at the Herbert Wertheim College of Business jumped three spots to secure the No. 3 position among public schools, No. 6 among all schools, on the list of national standings released today by U.S. News & World Report.

The ascent marks FSU’s highest achievement in the U.S. News’ undergraduate rankings for real estate since the Wertheim College’s records began with the 2005 rankings year, more than two decades ago.

Joining real estate with its own top-tier billing, the Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance once again bested nearly all schools nationwide, attaining the No. 3 ranking among all schools, public or private.

“These high marks reflect the transformative education our students receive from an exceptional faculty who, supported by our dedicated staff, alumni and industry partners, inspire students daily to reach their full potential,” said Michael D. Hartline, the college’s dean. “Our hope is that all Wertheim College students will graduate with the knowledge, skills and confidence to lead in their chosen fields and to make a meaningful impact in the global marketplace.”

A summary of all undergraduate rankings for the Wertheim College included in the 2027 Best Colleges rankings list:

• The Dr. William T. Hold/The Alliance’s Program in Risk Management and Insurance ranked No. 3 among all public and private RMI programs
• The Real Estate Program made the most gains this year, securing the No. 3 post among the nation’s public schools and No. 6 for all schools, public or private
• The Dr. Persis E. Rockwood School of Marketing maintained its No. 18 placement among all public schools, ranking No. 48 overall among all marketing programs nationwide
• The Wertheim College’s Undergraduate Programs, which include nine majors, ranked No. 36 among all public schools, No. 58 among all schools nationwide.

G. Stacy Sirmans, the Thomas L. Williams Eminent Scholar Chair in Business Administration and longtime real estate finance professor, has observed the growth of the undergraduate real estate program’s prestige over his several decades teaching and researching at the Wertheim College.

“We are proud to offer a program that not only equips undergraduates with the tools to excel in today’s real estate marketplace, but also provides them premier opportunities to intern and network with industry leaders before they graduate,” Sirmans said. “We often hear how their FSU preparation is making a difference, giving them a competitive advantage in their careers, and we revel in their successes.”

Brad Karl, the Dr. William T. Hold Professor of Risk Management and Insurance who chairs the department housing both real estate and RMI programs, noted that this round of rankings marks nine years straight that RMI has gained a Top 5 standing.

“Our RMI faculty and students continue to achieve, thanks in large part to opportunities made possible through generous financial investments in the college,” Karl said. Those welcome investments include a recently announced $1 million from the Florida Surplus Lines Service Office to name the director of the college’s Risk Management and Insurance Center; $5 million given by Dr. William T. Hold and The Risk & Insurance Education Alliance in 2012 to name the RMI academic program; and the recent $65 million provided by Dr. Herbert Wertheim that names the college and its new building, and supports students and faculty with benefits such as scholarships and professional development.

"Our continued success is also a testament to the incredible partnership with our RMI Executive Council and the FSU Real Estate Center Executive Board,” Karl said. “These industry executives serve as powerful advocates for our programs, bridging the gap between academia and the corporate world to ensure we are driving the future of the risk management and real estate professions."

– Melanie Yeager