New College of Florida: Admission, Programs, Tuition, Ranking, Scholarships

Did you know that many large colleges in Florida now require freshmen to take certain courses from their computers because they simply don’t have conference rooms big enough for everyone to attend in person?

This is so different for New College of Florida.

With the average class size of 18, teachers know the students by their name.

Also, with a 10:1 student to faculty ratio, you work closely with faculty, who serve as advisors and support you throughout your academic journey.

New College is home to more than 98 full-time college programs.

This is just a tip to what New College of Florida has that you will not likely find elsewhere.

Go through our New College of Florida review to understand more about the school.

As an honors-designated university in the state of Florida, their faculty and staff are proud to support the university’s mission of educating intellectually curious students for lives of great achievement.

At New College, you are surrounded by an intellectual community of students and faculty who value your individuality and inspire you to discover your passions, pursue your ideals, and forge lifelong connections.

While you’ll spend a lot of time searching for a college to attend in Florida, always consider the New College of Florida as your first choice.

Because, at New College, the world is really their classroom. Also, learning takes place outside the classroom here.

This is what makes New College a unique place.

Read on as we enlighten you more on the great benefits of the New College of Florida.

New College of Florida Overview

New College of Florida is located in Sarasota.

Since its founding in 1960, the college has trained intellectually curious students for successful lives

As a specialty university in the state of Florida, New College offers an exceptional college education that transforms students’ intellectual curiosity into personal achievement.

New College offers nearly 40 areas of concentration for undergraduate students and a master’s program in data science.

We have earned numerous distinctions and accolades, including a place in Loren Pope’s book, “Colleges That Change Lives,”.

Consistently, the college has earned high national rankings by the top arbiters of higher education.

What is New College of Florida known for?

New College of Florida is known as a public liberal arts honors college in Sarasota, Florida.

Meanwhile, it is known and recognized for other great things.

Let’s start with the location.

New College is located in northern Sarasota County, near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport. It’s just one hour south of Tampa, and 10 minutes by bus or bike from downtown Sarasota.

Due to how close it is to the city, Money magazine named it one of the “best places to live in the country.”

New College is also nearby cultural and recreational resources abound, including the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

This is located adjacent to campus, and the white sands of Siesta Key, hence rated America’s Best Beach in 2011 by Dr. Beach.

New College’s 110-acre campus combines classic historic buildings with modern facilities. Its visionary master plan incorporates cutting-edge environmental design into the architecture and landscape of the campus.

Bayfront’s main campus sits along the Gulf of Mexico on the former property of circus magnate Charles Ringling.

You can enter through the iconic Ringling Arch and walk the Dort Canopy Promenade to College and Cook Halls, connected by a colonnade that opens onto a vast lawn and Sarasota Bay, a favorite hangout for yoga and sunsets.

Across the Tamiami Trail (US 41) and connected by a pedestrian bridge, is the Pei Campus. It’s a center of student and residential life and home to five “green” university residences and a student union with its own Black Box Theater.

The Caples campus, home to the Caples Fine Arts Complex and Environmental Studies Program, is located on Bay Shore Road, south of the Ringling Museum.

Behind Caples Mansion and right on the bay is the New College Sailing Program.

Is New College of Florida Accredited?

New College of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees.

Every year, New College of Florida evaluates success with respect to student achievement consistent with its mission.

What is New College of Florida Rankings?

Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

According to US News, New College of Florida got good rankings as:

  • #84 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
  • #57 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
  • #89 in Best Value Schools
  • #14 in Most Innovative Schools
  • #81 in Top Performers on Social Mobility
  • #6 in Top Public Schools
Those that read this article, end up reading: 13 Online Business Schools in Florida | 2024 Best Reviews

Where is New College of Florida Located?

New College is located on the northern end of Sarasota County, across from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

New College’s 144-acre bayfront campus is located in west Sarasota, Florida, approximately 50 mi (80 km) south of Tampa.

Address: 5800 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States.

Is New College of Florida a Good School? Why You Should Choose New College of Florida

New College of Florida is a great school and they are a good number of reasons why you should choose to study with them.

Let’s show you some of those reasons.

Firstly, New College offers a collaborative and personal learning environment, where faculty and students engage in an in-depth exploration of ideas and topics.

It’s also a place where students have the freedom to chart their own academic paths and prepare for their future careers.

As the “Honorary College of Liberal Arts” of the state of Florida, New College is the only public college or university in the state whose sole mission is to provide a world-class education for outstanding students from all over the country.

Located on a beautiful 110-acre campus in sunny Sarasota Bay, New College offers an ideal learning environment for intellectually curious and motivated students. Especially those who thrive through active learning and often draw close to an intellectually rigorous curriculum.

Year after year, New College faculty and students earn important awards and recognition.

Most importantly, the student-centered academic mission consistently attracts top rankings from the most prestigious organizations.

Above all, New College is recognized by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) as an Associate Member Institution. Because at least 10% of its current students identify as Hispanic.

Also, the institution alumni earn accolades in the workplace, contribute to scientific advancement, and make great contributions to public service and global change.

What is the New College of Florida Acceptance Rate?

The New College of Florida acceptance rate is 73%. This means 73% of those who apply are granted admission to the New College of Florida.

Hence, admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards.

New College of Florida is ranking #39 in Florida as one of the colleges with the lowest rate of acceptance.

Is New College of Florida Hard to Get Into?

Due to the acceptance rate of 73%, New College admissions are somewhat selective.

Every year, approximately 1,300 students apply to New College and about 676 of them gain acceptance.

In fall 2024, New College had an enrollment of 647 undergraduate students ad 29 graduate students.

Meanwhile, students that get into New College (freshmen) have an average SAT score of 1257 or an average ACT score of 25-31.

The regular admissions application deadline for New College is rolling.

Those that read this article, end up reading: University of Florida: Admission, Tuition, Scholarships 

Academic Program at New College of Florida

New College of Florida offers rigorous academic programs.

Its innovative academic program fosters original thinking and a love of lifelong learning.

Through its programs, New College prepares their graduates for the ever-changing global workplace of the 21st century and the academic rigor of graduate and professional schools.

As part of its unique academic programs, students complete seven contracts prior to graduation in lieu of credit hours.

Each contract typically includes three to five academic activities (courses, tutorials, internships, independent reading projects) that will develop your personal educational goals.

With an educational advisor, you can create a written agreement each semester and define criteria to measure your success.

As a student, you’ll also meet regularly with your academic advisor to discuss his progress, not just once or twice in four years, as is the case at many colleges.

See the different academic programs New College of Florida has below.

Undergraduate Programs

The New College of Florida offers more than 40 different undergraduate program majors in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, as well as a number of interdisciplinary concentrations.

There are over 40 majors to choose from and over 300 undergraduate courses offered each year at New College.

All you need to do is to focus on one area of study, design your own major, or complete an interdisciplinary concentration.

You can also take one or more of our certification programs focused on professional skills.

New College supports students who are passionate about learning and willing to take responsibility for their own education.

That’s why their teachers provide written assessments, rather than letter grades, to evaluate your work each quarter.

During your four years at New College, you will need to complete seven academic contracts.

Each contract is a written agreement between you and your academic advisor regarding your educational goals, academic activities, and progress toward graduation each semester.

Areas of Concentration Offered by New College of Florida

  • Anthropology
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Biology
  • Biopsychology
  • Chemistry (including Biochemistry)
  • Chinese Language and Culture
  • Classics
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing*
  • Economics (including Finance)
  • Health, Culture, and Societies*
  • History
  • Humanities
  • International and Area Studies (including the Caribbean and Latin American Studies, East Asian Studies and European Studies)
  • Latin*
  • Literature
  • Marine Biology
  • Mathematics
  • Medieval & Renaissance Studies+
  • Music
  • Natural Sciences
  • Neuroscience*
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Public Policy+
  • Quantitative Social Science*
  • Religion
  • Rhetoric and Writing**
  • Russian Language and Literature
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Spanish Language and Literature
  • Statistics
  • Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies
  • Urban Studies

Graduate Programs

New College of Florida just offers one graduate program, which is the Data Science Master’s Degree Program.

The Master of Science in Data Science is designed to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and technical skills necessary for long-term prosperity in the rapidly evolving data science industry.

The Master in Data Science comprises 36 credit hours spread over four semesters.

Also, the program was been developed exclusively for the Master’s program and offers a combination of interdisciplinary theory and practical application of skills.

During the first three semesters, students will take 11 required core courses:

  • four courses in the first semester,
  • four courses in the second semester, and
  • three courses in the third semester

And each worth three graduate credit hours.

In the fourth and final semester, students will apply their skills and gain industry experience through a paid internship within a data science team at one of the school’s corporate partners.

The internship course will be completed under the supervision of the Faculty of Data Science and is a mandatory component of the program.

Mastering the material covered in each semester is crucial to the success of the Master in Data Science.

For this reason, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the program

Writing Program

At New College, you will be challenged to produce all types of writing, from literature reviews and lab reports to more extensive research or compelling articles.

You will be invited to make formal presentations and share research with your classmates.

Meanwhile, you can submit an essay for a national award or write a grant proposal to support your thesis research.

New College students are found in big businesses, governments, non-profit organizations, educational institutions, law firms, and the publishing industry.

For instance, some New College students posted their pre-graduation writing. It was both fiction and academic research, and it was even more impressive.

They got a national award that sets them apart.

This is one of the reasons New College students are employed anywhere.

At New College, they don’t expect you to be the perfect writer when you first enter the campus. Rather, they will work with you to help you transfer your reading and writing skills to a better one.

The mission of the New College writing program is to provide the highest quality writing instruction at New College.

To do this, the Writing Program draws on current research to create and support a cohesive set of innovative and intellectually rigorous courses. At the same time, to develop dynamic resources for the entire campus community.

Whether you are a freshman or just starting your thesis journey, New College has courses for you.

It offers a variety of rhetoric and writing courses.

To achieve this, they partner with faculty to develop and support enhanced writing courses in a variety of concentration areas.

Also, they conduct research studies, like the annual College Writing Transitions Study, to better design courses and activities for you!

Study Abroad and Exchange Program

As an institution that values ​​intellectual curiosity and fearless learning, New College of Florida encourages its students to extend their education beyond the classroom and across borders. Especially through study abroad and internships in the United States and abroad.

At New College, students have access to a wide variety of programs. It ranges from exchanging at other institutions in the United States through the National Student Exchange (NSE), EcoLeague, and the Consortium for Innovative Environments in Learning (CIEL), to studies in all the world on college targeted programs, exchange programs, and programs offered by certain third-party providers.

The Office of Off-Campus/Study Abroad acts as the premier on-campus resource for students seeking this invaluable experience.

The office supports the academic program and facilitates successful off-campus experiences by mentoring and assisting students participating in external study programs throughout the entire process, from initial interest to reintegration on campus.

Here are some important things to know about this particular program.

Who is Eligible?

Students from most major areas (Areas of Concentration) can participate with the approval of their academic advisor. Students transferring must discuss the specific eligibility requirements for individual transfer status.

When can you take this Program?

You can take these exchange or internship programs during the Second or Third Year of your school years.

How long does this program take?

Students can study abroad for one semester, one academic year, during ISP in January or summer.

Where is this program taking place?

Abroad, with a program sponsored by another US institution or a third-party provider. This is possible as they are creating a self-directed study project off-campus, or in the US with National Student Exchange, EcoLeague, or CIEL.

How can you get enrolled in this program?

Stay enrolled at New College, complete an off-campus study contract, receive a transcript of completed courses, and transfer credits to New College.

Why take this program?

This program is out to enrich your personal and educational experiences. New college students usually study in 20-25 different countries every year!

What’s the Deadline?

National Student Exchange applications for priority placement for Fall 2024 and Spring 2024 are due February 15, 2024.

Admissions at New College of Florida

Applying to New College of Florida is quite easy.

As a public university in Sarasota that prepares intellectually curious students for a lifetime of high achievement, they have made the admission requirements easy to accomplish.

New College of Florida Undergraduate Admissions

Undergraduate admissions always differ for first-year, transfer, and international students.

Apply Fall 2024 by submitting the new college application.

There is no charge!

The priority deadline is February 28. You can also apply through the common app.

First-Year Students Admission Requirements

Option 1: New College Application – Priority Application Deadline: February 28

  • New College Application (No application fee, essay optional)
  • SAT or ACT Scores (Self-reported or official)
  • Transcript or SSAR
  • Recommendation (Optional): Through the app, enter the contact details of the person writing your recommendation. We will send the information to you directly.

Option 2: Common Application – Priority Application Deadline: February 28

  • No application fee, essay optional
  • Add New College to your account
  • SAT or ACT Scores (Self-reported or official)
  • Transcript or SSAR
  • Recommendation (Optional): From your college counselor, principal, dean, or teacher who has taught you in an academic subject. Send through Common Application.

Transfer Students

Apply to New College as a transfer student if you have been or will be enrolled in a college course after your high school graduation date.

New College of Florida Transfer Admissions Coordinator is here to guide you through the admissions process quickly and easily so you can focus on life at New College.

Get started by registering for more information or contact your transfer admissions coordinator.

Admission Requirements to Transfer
  • Potential transfers are expected to have a GPA of at least 2.6
  • Must be current and eligible to return to their former post-secondary institution as a degree-seeking student.
  • Students must also complete the New University Application
  • Provide SAT or ACT scores or more than 30 semester transfer hours
  • Official transcripts, one for each school they attended from high school to college.
  • Students applying for an AA/AS degree may contact Admissions at (941) 487-5000 or admissions@ncf.edu to request information on exemptions for certain materials.

International Students

New College welcomes international applicants from countries around the world.

International students choose New College for its challenging academics, student-faculty mentoring, exceptional preparation for graduate study, and high value.

Submit your application materials with your TOEFL/IELTS score if English is not your first language.

How do I apply as an International student?

These instructions are for students who plan to study on an F-1 student visa.

Option 1:

New College Application – Priority Deadline: February 28

  • New College Application (No application fee)
  • SAT or ACT Scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores: If English is not your first language, the minimum TOEFL score for admission is 560 (paper test) or 83 (Internet-based test). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. If English is your native language, the language of instruction for your education, and/or you have already taken the SAT or ACT.
  • Official transcripts: One from each school you attended, from high school to college.
  • Credential Evaluation and Translation*: They require a NACES-member course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA for academic records from most schools that do not use the U.S. system, with the exception of International Baccalaureate programs. 
  • Recommendation (optional): Through the app, enter the contact details of the person writing your recommendation. We will send the information to you directly.
Option 2:

Common Application – Priority Deadline: February 28

  • No application fee
  • Add New College to your account
  • SAT or ACT Scores
  • TOEFL or IELTS Scores: If English is not your first language, the minimum TOEFL score for admission is 560 (paper test) or 83 (Internet-based test). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. If English is your native language, the language of instruction for your education, and/or you have already taken the SAT or ACT.
  • Official transcripts: One from each school you attended, from high school to college.
  • Credential Evaluation and Translation*: They require a NACES-member course-by-course credential evaluation with GPA for academic records from most schools that do not use the U.S. system, with the exception of International Baccalaureate programs. 
  • Recommendation (Optional): From your college counselor, principal, dean, or teacher who has taught you in an academic subject. Send through Common Application.

New College of Florida Graduate Admissions Process

To be considered for admission to the graduate program, you must:

  • have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university,
  • have successfully completed a linear algebra course, and
  • demonstrate your programming skills.

Minimum Admission Requirements for Graduates

These are required, at a minimum:

  • Documentation of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0. Or documentation of a bachelor’s degree and history of successful completion at an accredited college or university that uses narrative grades instead of grades.
  • Successful completion of a linear algebra course; and
  • Successful completion of a programming course or programming skills test.

Application Documents

Make sure to submit all required application documents. These are:

  • Online application and registration fees;
  • Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended (including institutions where no diploma was awarded but credits were earned);
  • Two letters of recommendation.

The following are also required but can be completed at a later date (no later than the program registration date). Applicants without documentation for these two requirements can receive conditional acceptance.

  • Successful completion of a linear algebra course
  • Successful completion of a programming course or programming skills test

Selection Process

Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The process is selective and will include the following:

  • Graduate Application for Master’s Program in Data Science
  • Recent employment and/or academic experience (including scholarships, internships, research positions)
  • Transcripts (all postsecondary transcripts), with documentation of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university (or foreign equivalent, as determined by a NACES member grade evaluation service)
  • Letter of recommendation
  • GRE, GRE Subject, or GMAT scores (if applicable) (GRE NCF code is 5506)
  • Students with transcripts from non-U.S. Colleges or universities must arrange for a professional evaluation (course-by-course with grade and credit equivalents, and a cumulative grade point average) and translation, if necessary, of your academic records by a service for NACES members.
  • Students who are not US citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and whose first language is not English, must provide proof of English proficiency. Typically recent qualifications (within the last two years) will be required, as follows:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): score of 83 or better in the International English Testing System (IELTS): score of 6.5 or better; or
  • Recent records (for example, from the last two years) of academic achievement or TOEFL IbT, or
  • 560 on the TOEFL on paper; or professional work in an environment where English is the primary language used may be considered a substitute for the test requirement.

The application for admission for Fall 2024 is available here.

How Much Does New College of Florida Tuition Cost?

Tuition and fees, room and board costs must be paid at the end of the contract submission period.

New College offers eligible students an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition, fees, accommodation, and meal plans at the beginning of each term.

Installment payment plans come in two installments and are available for a non-refundable fee of $15.

Here is an estimate of full tuition for New College students.

Estimated Student Budget Florida Resident Out of State Resident ($) International Students
Direct Costs
Tuition & Fees $6,916 29,944 $29,944
 Room & Board 9,662 9,662 12,162
Direct Costs Subtotal: 16,578 39,606 $42,106
Variable Costs
Books & Supplies $1,200 1,200 1,200
Personal Expenses $2,170 2,170 $2,170
Transportation $1,100 1,100 $1,100
Variable Costs Subtotal $4,470   4,470   $6,900  
Estimated Total Cost of Attendance (COA) $21,048 44,076 $49,006  

Please note: All amounts, including school fees, are estimated. International students need to budget for any annual fee increases (typically estimated at $250), for travel back and forth from home country, and summer living expenses.

Does New College of Florida Offer Scholarships?

First-Year Scholarships

ou will receive scholarship funding to attend New College if:You are admitted to New College for that class.

All of your required admission materials are on file by the posted deadline.

You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident alien, or eligible noncitizen.

You submit your $200 enrollment deposit by the deadline posted in your admission letter.

All scholarships are subject to renewal requirements and to the availability of funding.

Institutional funding is not available to students who already hold a bachelor’s or advanced degree.

For all but a few scholarships, your admission application serves as your scholarship application.

Transfer Scholarships

All transfer scholarships are subject to renewal conditions and availability of funding.

Institutional funding is not available to students who already have an undergraduate or graduate degree.

For all scholarships except some, your application for admission serves as the scholarship application.

All required application documents (including official transcripts, test results, and recommendations) must be received by the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid on or before the deadline.

Scholarship Requirements

You will receive a scholarship to attend New College if:

  • All your required admission documents are on file by the published deadline date.
  • You are admitted to New College for this class.
  • You are a U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident alien, or eligible non-citizen.
  • Submit your $200 registration deposit before the posted deadline.

See the various transfer scholarships below.

International Students Scholarships

Scholarships for international students F-1
International students applying to enter New College on an F-1 student visa may be eligible for one of New College’s three scholarship programs, which offer substantial or full financial support.

For details on scholarship admission and review, please contact Tiffany Washington, Graduate and International Enrollment Manager, at twashington@ncf.edu or 941-487-4264 to alert us that you are applying and to discuss admission conditions.

All scholarships are subject to funding availability and renewal criteria.

International students should plan ahead for potential international mail delays and meet April 1 as the deadline to meet the priority deadline for funding scholarships to enter the August (fall) semester.

Guaranteed scholarships are available until class closes. Click here for information on costs for international students.

Presidential Scholarship Program
$15,000 per year

Scholarship Program for Latin America/the Caribbean
More than $20,000 per year

New College of Florida Offer FAQs

New College of Florida is known as a public liberal arts honors college in Sarasota, Florida. Due to how close it is to the city, Money magazine named it one of the “best places to live in the country.”

Due to the acceptance rate of 73%, New College admissions are somewhat selective. Every year, approximately 1,300 students apply to New College and about 676 of them gain acceptance.

The New College of Florida acceptance rate is 73%. This means 73% of those who apply are granted admission to the New College of Florida.

Due to the acceptance rate of 73%, New College admissions are somewhat selective. Every year, approximately 1,300 students apply to New College and about 676 of them gain acceptance.

The Pei residence halls accommodate more than 250 students in double and triple occupancy rooms, each with its own private bathroom. A shared laundry room is located in 2nd Court. The outdoor Palm Court around which the rooms are grouped is a focus of New College student life.

Conclusion

New College of Florida is a great school and they are a good number of reasons why you should choose to study with them.

Go through our New College of Florida review to understand more about the school.

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