Many high-ranking colleges are scattered across the major cities of Florida from Miami to Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and the state capital of Tallahassee as well. The fine thing about Florida is that some of the schools are easy to access. In this article, you will find the top 10 colleges in Florida.
Table of contents
- How We Rank Colleges
- Best Colleges in Florida
- #1. University of Florida
- #2. Florida State University
- #3. University of Miami
- #4. University of South Florida
- Overview
- Student distribution at the University of South Florida
- #5. University of Central Florida
- #6. Florida International University
- #7. Florida A&M University
- #8. Florida Institute of Technology
- #9. Nova Southeastern University
- #10. University of North Florida
- References
- Recommendations
How We Rank Colleges
There are certain factors that we consider as a guide when ranking colleges. They include factors like the quality of the school, the student-to-faculty ratio, and ROI.
Other factors like attendance cost and median earning are also part of our ranking criteria.
Below are the best colleges in Florida.
Best Colleges in Florida
#1. University of Florida
National ranking #28 (fall 2020)
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Gainesville
- Year of founding: 1853
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Residential
- Contact Phone: (352) 392-3261
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 31%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 34,931
- SAT score: between 1290 and 1460
- ACT score: between 29-33
- Freshman retention rate: 97%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
University of Florida (UFL) sits on 2,000 acres of land and runs on a semester-based educational calendar. The University is also a part of the Florida State University System and was ranked #28 by the 2024 publication of the Best Colleges in National Universities.
Attending the University of Florida as an in-state student attract a tuition fee of $6,380 while out-state students pay $28,658. The University of Florida allows students to offer combination degrees, which enables students to cut down the time for both their undergraduate and graduate programs.
Another unique feature of the University is its Innovation Academy, which provides students the necessary skills in leadership and entrepreneurship through the intensive training experience.
UFL offers 100 undergraduate programs (major) with 30 certificate programs and 200 graduate programs.
The median starting salary of the University of Florida Alumni starts from $55,000.
Student Distribution at the University of Florida
The student distribution according to gender at the University of Florida is 43% and 57%, males and females respectively.
The school has 16% of its students residing on properties owned and maintained by the school or its affiliates.
Other 84% of the students reside off-campus. The University of Florida is an active participator in the NCAA I.
Here are some volunteering opportunities Best University Of Florida UF Volunteering Opportunities In 2024
#2. Florida State University
National ranking #55 (fall 2020). Tie with the University of Miami
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Tallahassee
- Year of founding: 1853
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Urban
- Contact Phone: (850)644-2525
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 32%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,453 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1220 to 1350
- ACT score: between 27 and 31
- Freshman retention rate: 94%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 21:1
Florida State University came into existence in 1851 and holds the statute of “preeminent research university” from the Florida Legislature.
Sitting on 487 acres of land, the school provides education for over 32,000 undergraduates.
The university runs according to a semester-based calendar system and ranks #55 according to the Best Colleges in National Universities, 2024 edition. In-state students of the university pay a tuition fee of $6,517, while out-of-state students pay $21,683.
Florida State University is popular for providing quality foundation courses in the field of arts, humanities, sciences, technology, and professions in adherence to liberal arts mission.
This school provides the enabling environment for over a quarter of its graduates that conduct academic research before graduation.
The university prides itself in its arts programs (film, dance, music, and theatre) that are among the best in the world.
The median salary of Florida State University alumni starts from $48,000.
Student Distribution at Florida State University
The student gender distribution at Florida State University is 43% males and 57% females. At Miami, 14% of the students reside in houses owned, maintained, or connected to the college, while 86% reside outside the campus.
Florida State University has a vibrant sports body and is an active member of the NCAA I.
#3. University of Miami
National ranking #55 (fall 2020). Tie with Florida State University
Overview
- Category: Private, Coed
- Location: Southern Florida
- Year of founding: 1925
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Residential
- Contact Phone: (305)284-2211
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 33% and 41.1% (early acceptance rate)
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 11,334 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1250 to 1420
- ACT score: between 28 and 32
- Freshman retention rate: 92%
- Student-to-faculty ration: 12:1
The University of Miami came into existence in 1925 and is a privately owned college. When it comes to admission, the University of Miami is more selective in its decision.
The residential school setting sits on 239 acres of land and runs on a semester calendar system.
According to the 2024 publication of Best Colleges is National Universities, the college ranks #55, which is a tie with Florida State University. The University of Miami offers 180 academic programs for undergraduate majors across its twelve schools and three campuses.
Other programs and majors offered by the university include broadcast journalism and marine science and others almost 350 in number.
Some of the most prevalent majors at the University include:
- Advertising
- Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General
- Economics, General
- Finance, General
- Marketing/Marketing Management, General
- Political Science and Government, General
- Psychology, General
- Public Relations/Image Management
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
At the center of the university’s mission are teaching and learning. The university flourishes in the area of diverse perspectives and thoughts. The university’s beautiful setting makes it stand out among the rest.
Tuition fee for the University of Miami is $54,760 for all students.
Miami also booms with nightlife activities and beautiful pools to keep students engaged outside the campus.
The median salary of University of Miami alumni is $54,900 for a start.
Student Distribution at the University of Miami
The gender distribution among the students of the University of Miami is 47% males and 53% females.
About 33% of the students reside in properties owned, maintained, or affiliated with the college.
The remaining 67% reside off-campus. The University of Miami is also an active member of the NCAA I.
See Also: 10 Best Colleges in Kalamazoo | 2024
#4. University of South Florida
National ranking #103 (fall 2020).
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Tampa
- Year of founding: 1956
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: City
- Contact Phone: (813) 974-2011
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 49%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 38,579 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1160 to 1320
- ACT score: between 25 and 30
- Freshman retention rate: 92%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 22:1
Founded in 1956, the publicly-owned University of South Florida is a massive 1,646 acres of property that runs on a semester calendar system.
The University of South Florida is a diverse institution with over 200 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations through its 13 colleges ranging from arts to business studies.
According to the U.S News University of South Florida is “the fastest-rising university in America”. Over ten years, the university has seen a positive rise by 67 spots in the list of universities in the United States.
The prevalent majors at University include:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Education
- Engineering
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
The University of South Florida uses an innate assessment to pair students with colleges, majors, and careers that are suitable for their abilities and skills.
The tuition fee for the University of South Florida for in-state students is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay $17,324.
The median salary for University of South Florida alumni is $48,000.
Student distribution at the University of South Florida
The student distribution at the University of South Florida favors more females than males. 43% of its students are males while 57% are females.
School has only 10% of its students living in the college-owned or maintained property, including affiliate houses, while the remaining 90% live outside the campus.
The University of South Florida ranks among the top ten colleges in Florida and has a very effective sports unit. The University is part of the NCAA I.
#5. University of Central Florida
National ranking, #148 (fall 2020).
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Orlando
- Year of founding: 1963
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Residential
- Contact Phone: (407) 823-2000
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 45%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 61,456 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1160 and 1340
- ACT score: between 25 and 30
- Freshman retention rate: 91%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 31:1
When it comes to the student body, the University of Central Florida serves the largest student population. Founded in 1963, the University of Central Florida is a massive 1,415 acres publicly owned property.
The university runs on a semester-based academic system and ranks #148 according to the 2024 publication of Best Colleges in National Universities.
Tuition fee for in-state students is $6,368, while out-of-state students pay $22,467.
The starting median salary for the University of Central Florida graduate is
$48,100.
Some of the most prevalent majors at the university are:
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Engineering
- Education
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Psychology
- Social Sciences.
- Visual and Performing Arts
Student distribution at the University of Central Florida
As of fall 2020, the student distribution at the University of Central Florida is 44:55% for males and females respectively.
The parentage of students living in school-owned/maintained apartments or houses owned by school affiliates is 15%. Other 85% of the student population lives outside the campus.
The university is also a member of the NCAA I and actively participates in sports.
#6. Florida International University
National ranking, #162 (fall 2020).
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Miami
- Year of founding: 1972
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: City
- Contact Phone: (305) 348-2000
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 58%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 48,664 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1110 and 1260
- ACT score: between 23 and 29
- Freshman retention rate: 90%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 23:1
Florida International University is number 6 on the list of best colleges in Florida, covering a landmass of 344 acres. The University was founded in 1972 and has a total of 48,664 students as of fall 2020. The university thrives on a semester-based educational system.
There is a diversity of degree options available at Florida International University. Students also have the opportunity to take some courses fully online.
Some of the prominent majors available at the university include:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Education
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
The tuition fee for Florida International University is $6,566 for in-students and $18,964 for out-of-state students.
The University has two main campuses and the median salary for alumni starts at $47,000.
Student Distribution at Florida International University
The gender distribution for Florida International is 43:57% for males and females respectively. The percentage of students who reside in college-owned/managed or affiliated properties is 5%.
The other 95% reside off-campus. The University has an active sports team that is a member of the NCAA I.
See Also: 10 Best Colleges in South Carolina | 2024
#7. Florida A&M University
National ranking, #202 (fall 2020). Tie with Florida Institute of technology
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Tallahassee
- Year of founding: 1887
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: City
- Contact Phone: (850) 599-3000
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 33%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,402 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1030 and 1150
- ACT score: between 20 and 24
- Freshman retention rate: 82%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
Florida A&M University is a 422 acres property and among the top ten best colleges in Florida. The college features a city setting and operates on a semester-based educational system.
For in-state students, the tuition fee is $5,785, while out-of-state students pay a tuition fee of $17,725. Throughout the state of Florida, A&M University is the only historic black establishment among the State University System of Florida.
Among the priorities of the school is to educate African-Americans. However, students from all parts of the world are welcome to the university.
While A&M stands for agriculture and Mechanical, there are over 60 bachelor’s degrees available in diverse areas of studies at the university.
Graduate students can select from over 40 degrees, which includes engineering, education, and law.
Among the most prominent majors from the university are:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Psychology
- Public Administration and Social Service Professions
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Social Sciences
The median salary for Florida A&M alumni starts from $48,300.
Students Distribution at Florida A&M University
Florida A&M University has a gender distribution of 35:65% of males and females respectively.
The school has 18% of its students residing in college-owned/ run or college affiliate apartments.
The other 82% live off-campus. Florida A&M University is also active in sports and a member of the NCAA I.
#8. Florida Institute of Technology
National ranking, #202 (fall 2020). Tie with Florida A&M University
Overview
- Category: Private, Coed
- Location: Melbourne
- Year of founding: 1958
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Residential
- Contact Phone: (321) 674-8000
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 70%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,475 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1130 and 1330
- ACT score: between 23 and 30
- Freshman retention rate: 81%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 15:1
With a campus size of 174 acres, the Florida Institute of Technology (also called Florida Tech) was originally founded in 1958 as a space industry training ground for professionals who were working at the then Kennedy Space Center.
Florida Institute of Technology provides undergraduate programs in the area of sciences, liberal arts, engineering, etc.
Some of the prominent degrees offered in the school include:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautically/Space Engineering, General
- Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General; Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering, General; Computer Science;
- Engineering
- Biomedical Sciences, General
Florida Institute of Technology runs on a semester-based educational system. The student tuition fee for the university is $43,246.
The median salary for Florida Institute of Technology alumni starts from $59,700.
Student Distribution at Florida Institute of Technology
With 3,475 enrollments in fall 2020, the student distribution favors the men more. 69% of the student population are men while 31% are females.
At the Florida Institute of Technology, 46% of students live in college-owned/maintained or affiliated apartments. The remaining 54% reside in off-campus apartments.
The school’s location makes it the perfect place for students to engage in water sports like kayaking, boating, and fishing. This school also has a traditional athletic sports team, the Tech Panthers, which was part of the NCAA II Sunshine State Conference competition.
The school also features around ten fraternities, sororities and over a hundred student organizations. Florida Institute of Technology also has some
notable figures as its alumni.
They include Ann Dunwoody (1st female 4-star general in the U.S Army) and the former director of NASA Marshall Space Flight, David King.
See Also: 10 Best Colleges In Michigan 2024
#9. Nova Southeastern University
National ranking, #213 (fall 2020).
Overview
- Category: Private, Coed
- Location: Fort Lauderdale
- Year of founding: 1964
- Academic Calendar: Trimester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Uptown
- Contact Phone: (800) 541-668
- Official website
- School Acceptance rate: 76% and 81% (early acceptance rate)
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 6,314 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1030 and 1240
- ACT score: between 20 and 27
- Freshman retention rate: 81%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1
The private institution, Nova Southeastern University, founded in 1964 is among Florida’s top 10 best colleges. The institution is 314 acres in size and features an uptown setting. The school is one of the few in the country that runs on a trimester educational calendar.
According to the 2024 publication of the Best colleges in National Universities, Nova Southeastern University ranks #213. The tuition fees for Nova Southeastern University are $34,570.
Among the most prominent majors in the school include:
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities
- Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology
- Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
- Education
- Legal Professions and Studies
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services
Nova Southeastern University provides need-based financial assistance to around 72% of its full-time undergraduates.
The average need-based grants/scholarships the school gives out is $21,740.
Student Distribution at Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University’s student distribution is 29% for males and 71% for females.
The school has 26% of its students living in apartments owned, maintained, or affiliated to the university while 74% of the students reside in apartments outside the campus.
When it comes to sports, the university is well represented and is an active part of the NCAA Division II.
#10. University of North Florida
National ranking, #263 (fall 2020).
Overview
- Category: Public, Coed
- Location: Jacksonville
- Year of founding: 1965
- Academic Calendar: Semester
- Religious Affiliation: Not affiliated to any religion
- Setting: Metropolitan
- Contact Phone: (904) 620-1000
- Official website: http://www.unf.edu/
- School Acceptance rate: 80%
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,550 (fall 2020)
- SAT score: between 1040 and 1230
- ACT score: between 20 and 27
- Freshman retention rate: 82%
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 19:1
Publicly owned institution the University of North Florida was founded a year after the Nova Southeastern University in 1965 and ranks among the top ten best colleges in Florida.
The school sits on a 1,300 acres property and operates a semester-based academic system. The tuition fees for in-state students of the University of North Florida are $7,075, while out-of-state students pay a tuition fee of $20,793. The university is situated west of the Atlantic coastline.
The University is also around 150 miles (east) from Tallahassee. There are over 200 campus clubs, more than 12 fraternities and sororities available on campus. Students who are interested in leadership can also join the student government body.
Some of the prominent majors at the University of North Florida include:
- Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
- Health Professions and Related Programs
- Education
- Engineering
- Psychology
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services
- Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
- Social Sciences
Among the notable personalities from the University of North Florida are Todd Harley, the former coach of Kansa’s City Chiefs professional football team, and Belize minister of education, youth, and sports in Belize, Patrick Faber.
The alumni median salary for the University of North Florida starts from$47,800.
Student Distribution at the University of North Florida
The student body at the University of North Florida student distribution is 43:57% males and females respectively.
When it comes to sports, the college is actively represented in the NCAA division one.
87% percent of the students at the University of North Florida live off-campus.
Other 13% reside in properties owned, maintained, or affiliated with the University.
See Also: 10 Best Colleges in Louisiana | 2024
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