You are confusing US News rank with best. That is to sell magazines. UF is likely your best ROI or if NMSF, Tulsa. NMF - Bama, UTD or others that buy in nm students it’s why UF and Bama have amongst the most and a quarter plus of Tulsa’s class is. Brilliance abounds
My kid, for example, chose Bama over Purdue with merit. I thought nuts. He told me I was wrong. Well works with Michigan, Purdue, UWASH but also W Michigan, Akron, etc.
All hired together. Nothing wrong with chasing pedigree but don’t do it at the expense of your family.
you started with I plan to go to UF but then pivoted to ‘better’. They are not better per se. They are higher ranked. I’m guessing the best education in your case might be FAU Wilkes. Grad school has costs too - don’t forget . Don’t strangle your family or self financially for a name Too many do and regret later.
Good luck