Best Colleges in Florida

“The Sunshine State” and home to 1,350 miles of coastline, Florida is a state run on tourism with a subtropical-to-tropical climate. The wide variety of colleges in Florida include the 12 in the State University System of Florida, the 28 community colleges and state colleges in the Florida College System, and numerous religiously-affiliated institutions. The oldest recognized institution in the Alligator State is Rollins College, founded in 1885. While, of course, Florida is home to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, it also claims several unique attractions, such as Solomon’s Castle in Ona, The Dali Museum, the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach, and Falling Waters State Park.

How Were the Top Schools in Florida Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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Orange Technical College-Westside is a 2-year technical and vocational school in central Florida and a campus of OTC. The campus offers courses in eight academic departments conferring 17 degrees and certificates. Westside is the only OTC campus...

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Pasco-Hernando State College is a public institution consisting of five campuses located in Florida’s Pasco and Hernando counties. The college exhibits a lively student body, hosting over 500 student events every year that range from snack gatherings...

“…

Their 4 campuses are beautiful and well equipped, with a great atmosphere for both learning and fun.

” – Jennifer from Weeki Wachee, FL
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Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater is a 2-year vocational and technical school and a campus of PTC in the St. Petersburg metro area. The Clearwater campus offers 24 career training academic programs. For students who wish to earn money while...

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Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg is a 2-year technical and vocational school and one of two campuses in the PTC system. The St. Petersburg campus is home to 34 degree and certificate granting programs. For students looking to earn money...

“…

Multiple small campus for classes, so no matter where you live there is a campus close to you
Our school offers many activities and events for all students.
Small classes allows students to interact with teachers.

” – Denise from St Petersburg, FL
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Locklin Technical College is a technical and vocational school in the western Florida panhandle. Locklin Tech offers degrees and certificates in 15 career-centered fields of study. In addition to classroom space, the Locklin Tech campus is home to a...

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Established in 1972, Ridge Career Center is a public, 1-year institution located in Winter Haven, Florida. RTC offers professional certification programs in over 20 fields of study, preparing students for job placement in fast-growing technical...

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RIVEROAK Technical College is a technical and vocational school in northern Florida serving high school and adult students. RTC confers degrees and certificates in 19 career-centered academic programs and offers over 300 courses entirely online...

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Robert Morgan Educational Center and Technical College is a public, 2-year institution established in Miami, Florida. RMEC offers over 20 career and technical education programs, awarding a variety of certificates for job placement. The college also...

Saint Johns River State College

Saint Johns Rivers State College is a public institution established in Orange Park, Florida, with additional campuses in Palatka and St. Augustine. The Palatka campus is home to the Florida School of the Arts, which hosts a variety of exhibitions...

“…

This college is cost effective. I also feel safe, wherever I go I know I am safe. St. Johns also keeps me organized, they send emails out if I am missing things and will let me know what I need.

” – Marjorie from Middleburg, FL
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Sheridan Technical College is a 2-year technical and vocational school with three campuses in southeast Florida. STC’s academic programs are divided into 10 academic departments known as occupational clusters. Certain academic programs provide the...

“…

I love it very much i love learning about different things wen i'm in class

” – Joane from Hollywood, FL
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Suncoast Technical College is a 2-year technical and vocational school in western Florida. Suncoast is home to five career pathways featuring over 40 degree and certificate-granting programs. For further academic assistance, the Suncoast Media Center...

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Florida Keys Community College is an open-access public community college. The main campus is located on Stock Island in Key West, FL, and there are two satellite campuses in Key Largo and Marathon. FKCC has a waterfront residence hall, Lagoon...

“…

FKCC is a very small school but has very dedicated staff and faculty. This school doesn't have the resources of larger schools so it gets by on community support, which it receives graciously.

” – Christopher from Key West, FL
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The Tom P. Haney Technical Center is a technical and vocational school in the southern Florida panhandle. Haney is home to 14 career and technical programs, as well as five licensure options. With campus a few miles from the Gulf of Mexico, Haney...

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Traviss Technical College is a public, career education institution established in Lakeland, Florida. The college is one of four schools that make up the Polk Education Pathways program by the Polk County Public School system. The college offers over...

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Ultimate Medical Academy in Clearwater is a healthcare training school and a satellite campus in the UMA system. The Clearwater campus offers Assistant-training academic programs in the Nursing, Dental, and Medical fields as well as courses in...

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Established in 1968, Withlacoochee Technical College is a public, technical education institution located in Inverness, Florida. WTC offers over 20 career and technical programs, including several programs that prepare students for industry...

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The Academy for Five Element Acupuncture is a graduate school of traditional east Asian medical therapy in central Florida. The Academy offers a master’s degree program in Acupuncture and a certificate-granting program in Chinese Herbal Studies. It...

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Universidad Ana G. Méndez is a private institution located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, with campus centers in Barceloneta, Cabo Rojo, Santa Isabel, and Yauco. The University offers over 70 academic programs throughout nine schools of study, awarding...

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Established in 1994, Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine is a private, medical education institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ATOM offers a Master of Oriental Medicine program, a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program...

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The Ave Maria School of Law is a Catholic legal institution in southwest Florida emphasizing the moral foundations that undergird the law. Ave Law’s JD curriculum combines legal scholarship with Catholic moral lessons by requiring all students to...