Known for its mild weather and frequent sunshine, Florida is a top state for higher education. Major schools like the University of Florida and Florida State University serve tens of thousands of students each year, offering comprehensive training in all major academic and professional fields.
Plus, earning a degree in Florida can prepare you to enter the state's thriving job market.
Our guide to the best colleges in Florida offers an overview of higher education in the Sunshine State, including top schools, popular careers, and cost of living. We also provide a complete list of colleges in Florida.
Popular Online Degree Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
The 10 Best Colleges in Florida
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
List of All Colleges in Florida
We've created a complete list of all four-year nonprofit universities in Florida. You can use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). We did not consider schools that enroll fewer than 500 undergrads for this list.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth University | 1,610 | $30,340 | 100% | N/A |
| Ave Maria University | 1,310 | $23,515 | 45% | 2,448 |
| Barry University | 6,958 | $23,930 | 59% | 12,141 |
| Beacon College | 501 | $47,664 | 60% | 593 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | 2,727 | $14,705 | 100% | 6,844 |
| Eckerd College | 1,993 | $40,122 | 79% | 4,664 |
| Edward Waters University | 1,181 | $13,763 | 85% | 9,805 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach | 10,301 | $41,550 | 66% | 10,286 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | 11,574 | $20,183 | 62% | 2,047 |
| Everglades University | 2,624 | $26,561 | 86% | 804 |
| Flagler College | 2,623 | $31,085 | 78% | 5,509 |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | 9,215 | $15,491 | 21% | 22,713 |
| Florida Atlantic University | 29,592 | $9,839 | 73% | 27,612 |
| Florida Gulf Coast University | 15,969 | $10,548 | 77% | 16,050 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | 8,315 | $36,364 | 63% | 15,205 |
| Florida Institute of Technology-Online | 1,230 | $24,146 | 44% | 189 |
| Florida International University | 55,609 | $10,742 | 59% | 25,034 |
| Florida Memorial University | 1,137 | $18,366 | 74% | 12,750 |
| Florida Polytechnic University | 1,593 | $11,923 | 56% | 2,600 |
| Florida Southern College | 3,281 | $30,462 | 59% | 10,874 |
| Florida State University | 44,161 | $14,903 | 25% | 74,038 |
| Jacksonville University | 3,837 | $25,745 | 57% | 8,879 |
| Lynn University | 3,520 | $39,582 | 74% | 8,333 |
| New College of Florida | 689 | $8,368 | 74% | 2,119 |
| Nova Southeastern University | 20,948 | $32,756 | 73% | 17,621 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | 3,828 | $31,103 | 88% | 7,657 |
| Ringling College of Art and Design | 1,705 | $60,362 | 67% | 2,685 |
| Rollins College | 3,029 | $37,134 | 41% | 9,796 |
| Saint Leo University | 10,242 | $19,478 | 72% | 7,788 |
| Southeastern University | 10,044 | $27,935 | 74% | 2,800 |
| St. Thomas University | 6,370 | $27,029 | 99% | 4,798 |
| Stetson University | 3,928 | $22,914 | 86% | 7,824 |
| University of Central Florida | 68,346 | $13,110 | 40% | 60,627 |
| University of Florida | 55,211 | $11,521 | 24% | 63,375 |
| University of Florida-Online | 5,356 | $10,412 | 64% | 1,440 |
| University of Miami | 19,402 | $41,028 | 19% | 48,286 |
| University of North Florida | 16,406 | $10,628 | 62% | 21,568 |
| University of South Florida | 49,600 | $11,578 | 41% | 65,187 |
| University of Tampa | 10,566 | $35,975 | 41% | 35,353 |
| University of West Florida | 13,521 | $8,908 | 57% | 9,831 |
| Warner University | 849 | $21,471 | 48% | 1,628 |
| Webber International University | 1,133 | $29,716 | 78% | 1,907 |
What Is the Cost of Attending College in Florida?
If you plan to attend any of the best colleges in Florida, tuition is likely a major concern. As the table below shows, public schools offer significantly lower tuition rates than private schools.
You'll receive even lower tuition as an in-state student, and you'll find the lowest overall tuition rates at public four-year schools.
| Institution Type | Avg. Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $4,540 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $17,831 |
| Private Four-Year | $30,928 |
What Is the Cost of Living in Florida?
By most metrics, the cost of living in Florida ranks slightly higher than the national average, though it is still far less expensive than states like New York or California. The Missouri Economic Research and Information Center ranks Florida as the 36th most expensive state to live in for 2024.
Florida ranks below the national average for utilities and healthcare expenses. However, housing expenses in the state are significantly higher than average. Grocery and transportation expenses also hover just around the national average.
The bottom line? Florida remains just above the national average cost of living, but you can expect to spend more if you're attending school in a major city like Miami.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Florida
Many of the best schools in Florida offer you a quality education with affordable tuition. While the state is slightly more expensive than average, it's still quite possible to earn a degree affordably, especially if you attend school online or in a smaller town.
Florida also boasts a strong job market with plenty of career opportunities after you graduate.
