Florida State University has been ranked No. 60 among the top 100 universities in the United States for securing U.S. utility patents, according to a March 19 announcement from the National Academy of Inventors.
The ranking highlights FSU’s growing role in research and commercialization, as it continues to translate academic discoveries into practical solutions. The list reflects patent activity during the 2025 calendar year and underscores the importance of intellectual property in advancing national competitiveness.
Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson said, “This ranking is more than just a number; it represents the relentless ingenuity of our faculty and their commitment to solving the most pressing challenges of our time.” Patterson added, “A patent is often the bridge between an idea or breakthrough and a commercial product or service that improves lives, creates jobs, and drives our economy forward. This achievement is a credit to our world-class researchers and a signal to our partners that FSU is a premier destination for high-impact discovery and innovation.”
FSU’s rise in the rankings is attributed to breakthroughs across several fields including engineering, medicine, and materials science. Notable patents include a neutron detector by Associate Professor Zhibin Yu, a water-air drone hybrid by Associate Professor Christian Hubicki, an antifibrotic drug by Professor Branko Stefanovic, and a photo-plastic with unique movement properties developed by Professor Ken Hanson.
Associate Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation Valerie McDevitt said, “What makes Florida State’s patent portfolio truly remarkable is its incredible diversity. Our ranking isn’t just a win for one department. It’s a reflection of a campus-wide culture of discovery. From groundbreaking advancements in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to innovative tools in education and the health sciences, we are proving that FSU’s expertise spans the entire spectrum of human inquiry.”
The National Academy of Inventors began publishing worldwide rankings in 2013 but introduced its focused U.S. Universities list in 2023 to highlight American academic contributions specifically. In total, universities on this year’s Top 100 U.S. list secured over 6,700 patents during the previous calendar year.
This recognition comes after FSU surpassed $488 million in annual research expenditures and was named Florida’s top university for innovation and economic impact in TIME’S inaugural World’s Top Universities 2026 rankings.
