Top 10 Best Colleges In Florida 2024-2025
Top 10 Best Colleges In Florida 2024-2025: Top high schools in Florida. Florida is home to a variety of colleges and universities including specialized institutions like the largest aviation school, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Top colleges are located throughout Florida.
College education often leads to better pay and more job opportunities. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average bachelor’s degree-holder earns $64,900 annually, while individuals with only a high school diploma earn about $38,800 each year.
Why Study in a College in Florida?
Florida boasts a robust economy due in large part to its worldwide reputation as a vacation hotspot. With ports facing both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the state is also a hub for international commerce.
It’s hard to talk about the best colleges in Florida without mentioning football. The University of MiamiHurricanes and the University of Florida Gators are two of the best NCAA teams, collectively winning eight national championships and drawing capacity crowds at every home game.
The University of Florida, the state’s flagship public higher education institution — maintains over 200 research centers and delivers more than 300 academic programs across 16 colleges. These degree options include popular online tracks in health education, urban and regional planning, and international business.
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2024 Best Colleges in Florida
1. University of Miami
UMiami offers 180 academic programs and majors for undergraduates, from marine science to broadcast journalism, and nearly 350 majors and programs in total. Teaching and learning are the core of the university’s mission, and Miami thrives on diverse thoughts and perspectives. UMiami is also well known for it’s beautiful campus—with pools adjacent to on-campus housing—and it’s location in Miami.
2. University of Central Florida
UCF offers a vast variety of degree options, including fully online. Popular majors include Integrated Business, Digital Media, Nursing, Health Sciences, Computer Science, among many others. Whether students are learning online or in person, UCF has a huge array of resources and support, including online success coaches and innovative programming.
3. Florida Southern College
In addition to exemplary academics, Florida Southern College is the site of the largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in the world. Perhaps this is part of why the school is frequently ranked as one of the most beautiful campuses in the United States. The university offers its students plenty of opportunities, from research to performance to study abroad.
4. Beacon College
Beacon College is the first accredited college to offer four-year degrees specifically designed to meet the needs of students with diagnosed learning disabilities, including dyslexia and ADHD. With two- and four-year degrees in Anthrozoology, Business Management, Computer Information, Human Services, Humanities, Psychology, and Studio Arts
5. University of Florida
UF is a top public research university, a senior member of Florida’s State University System. CollegeVine ranks UF the 7th best public college in the country. The university offers 100 undergraduate majors and 30 certificates, along with 200 graduate programs. Some of its unique options include combination degrees, which prepare students for careers in a fraction of the time of undergraduate plus graduate education.
6. Florida State University
FSU has been designated a “preeminent research university” by the Florida Legislature. The university provides a foundation in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, adhering to a liberal arts mission. More than a quarter of undergraduate students conduct academic research prior to graduation.
7. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) is a diverse university with 200 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations across 13 colleges, ranging from business to the arts. U.S. News calls it the fastest-rising university in America—USF has risen 67 spots among all universities in the country over the past 10 years.
8. Florida Atlantic University
FAU has many claims to fame. For one, it is ranked among the best in the country for undergraduate research, with more than 6,000 undergraduate research activities. It is also the #1 diverse public university in Florida. Additionally, its online programs are considered highly innovative, not to mention flexible. With over 170 degree options across 10 different schools, there is something for everyone to pursue here.
9. Florida International University
A top-tier research institution, FIU offers a range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree options—including more than 130 degrees and program tracks completely online—across 11 schools and colleges. The university is also home to the state’s only public colleges of law and medicine. FIU boasts a prestigious Honors College with award-winning faculty and more than 190 degree options.
10. Rollins College
Rollins College is Florida’s oldest post-secondary institution. Its mission is to instill lifelong learning ideals in its students. The school has more than 60 areas of study, and its professors are ranked the best in the South. Personalized pathways, mentorship, hands-on experience, and more are just some of the reasons why students flock to Rollins.
Florida Employment Outlook
Florida’s unemployment was 6.1% as of December 2020, which was slightly lower than the national rate of 6.7%. Additionally, the BLS reports that the annual mean wage in Florida is $47,750. However, earning potential greatly varies based on individual qualifications. Students who want to prioritize employability in Florida should consider a career in one of the state’s top industries, which include manufacturing, healthcare, IT (particularly video game and mobile application development), and private and homeland security.
Aerospace technology is another huge industry in Florida, which houses two of the nine active U.S. spaceports and approximately 2,000 aviation and flight-related companies.
Other Top 20 Best Colleges In Florida 2024
- Florida Institute of Technology.
- Nova Southeastern University.
- Keiser University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Barry University
- St. Thomas University – Miami Gardens.
- New College of Florida.
- Florida Gulf Coast University.
- Florida Polytechnic University.
- Florida Memorial University
- Hodges University.
- Miami International University of Art & Design.
- Stetson University
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Jacksonville University.
- Seminole State College of Florida
- Baptist College of Florida.
- Flagler College.
- Regional Colleges South
- University of Tampa.
Is It Right To Attend University in Florida?
A university in Florida may be right for you if you already live in Florida and are interested in affordable, world-class education. However, if you’re considering attending a public university in Florida as an out-of-state student, you should be aware that tuition may be significantly higher for you than for an in-state student. As a college student at any of Florida’s top colleges and universities, there’s a good chance that you’ll find yourself in a beautiful environment with many activities on campus.
