10 Best Colleges in Florida 2024

Florida has some of the best colleges and universities in the country, offering a wide variety of programs and opportunities for students to succeed academically, personally, and professionally. Whether you are searching for bustling student life at a large university or personalised attention at an intimate college, Florida has something to offer. The best colleges in Florida are committed to providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in an ever-changing world, with state-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, and a diverse student body. Its closeness to the Caribbean and Latin America makes sure that Florida has a rich and diverse culture and thriving arts and music. Here are some of the best colleges in Florida and how they can help you achieve your academic and career goals.

Best Colleges in Florida 

Not only is Florida known for its stunning beaches, beautiful coastlines, lively and buzzing nightlife and perfect weather, but it is also known for its top-notch education and colleges that it offers to the students that move here every year for university. A wide variety of subjects are offered, from nursing and art to aviation and law; there's something for everyone. Here are some of the best colleges in Florida:

1. University of Florida

Location: 201 Criser Hall, Gainesville, FL, 32611
Fees: $6,380 (in-state), $28,658 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 30%

The main campus is located in the city of Gainesville, Florida, and it is one of the top colleges in Florida. This university was formed after a number of several other colleges and schools merged. They have rapidly increased the number of academic schools and enrolment and have an excellent reputation for the quality of education provided here, making it one of the best universities in Florida. They have a variety of research centres and institutes. Students from over 130 countries come to the University of Florida to study as it is one of the top colleges in Florida. The University of Florida is the eighth-largest single-campus university in the USA. Some of the most popular majors here are Engineering, Business, Management, Marketing, Related Support Services and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

2. Florida State University

Location: 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
Fees: $6,517 (in-state), $21,683 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 37%

Florida State University is a research university that is located in Tallahassee, Florida, which is also a part of the State University System of Florida. This university is one of the two main research universities in Florida and is associated with scientific research. They have a variety of student clubs to choose from, like cheerleading, flying to acapella and football. It also offers study-abroad programmes in places like Florence, Italy; London; Panama City, Panama; and Valencia, Spain, where it also has centres making it one of the top Florida universities. This is not offered by all universities, so this makes Florida State University one of the best universities in Florida. Some of the most popular majors here are Psychology, Finance, and Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. 

3. University of Miami

Location: 1320 S Dixie Hwy, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA
Fees: $57,194
Acceptance rate: 28%

The University of Miami is a private research university that is located in the southwest of downtown Miami in the Coral Gables area. This university is one of the best universities in Florida for its sports and culture. Having Everglades National Park nearby also means that the students here get to explore a range of water sports, hiking and sunbathing, making it one of the top Florida universities. The University of Miami went through a hard time during the recession and after a hurricane but managed to build itself up again. This university also has 12 schools, including three graduate schools. This university is also close to the sea, which makes it one of the best universities in Florida for its students. Some of the most popular majors here are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Finance and Psychology.

Students planning on attending this university have options to either choose on or off-campus housing, and many students choose off-campus housing; check out these student housing near University of Miami.

4. University of South Florida

Location: 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Fees: $6,410 (in-state), $17,324 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 49%

The main campus of the University of South Florida is located in Tampa Bay in a very central location. One of the features that make it one of the best universities in Florida is that it offers a large number of online courses and education programmes to students. The University of South Florida is a research institution that has a number of campuses throughout the state. Most first-year students are required to live on campus, but there are a few exceptions. A large Greek life, as well as over 400 student organisations, are offered here, which makes it one of the top Florida universities. Some of the most popular majors here are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Health Professions and Related Programs and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

5. University of Central Florida

Location: 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL 32816, USA
Fees: $6,368 (in-state), $22,467 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 36%

The main campus of the University of Central Florida is located in Orlando, and it has the second-highest enrollment of all US public universities, and this just shows it is one of the best universities in Florida. This university also offerers over 100 online programs in a wide variety of subjects. There are more than 40 fraternities and sororities, along with a number of student communities, to join, making the social life of the students amazing and this is one of the best colleges in Florida. The University of Central Florida has more than 10 regional campuses. Some of the most popular majors here are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Health Professions and Related Programs and Psychology.

6. Florida International University

Location: 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
Fees: $6,566 (in-state), $18,964 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 64%

Florida International University has two main campuses, which are the Modesto A. Maidique Campus in West Miami-Dade County and the Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. More than half the students that attend this university are Hispanic, making this one of the best colleges in Florida for grants of bachelor's degrees to Hispanic undergraduates. There are also more than 30 fraternities and sororities to join and a number of student clubs and events to participate in. It is one of the top Florida universities, and some of the most popular majors here are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Psychology and Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.

Students planning on attending this university have options to either choose on or off-campus housing, and many students choose off-campus housing; check out these student housing near Florida International University.

7. Florida A&M University

Location: 1601 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
Fees: $5,785 (in-state), $17,725 (out-of-state)
Acceptance rate: 35%

The main campus of Florida A&M University is located in the hills of Tallahassee and is known as the only historically black institution in the State University System of Florida. Even though the main mission of the university is to educate African-Americans, it accepts students of every nationality, race and ethnic origin. There are over 40 degrees available for graduates and over 60 for bachelors. There are also over 100 student organisations and several fraternities and sororities to join. Some of the most popular majors here are Health Professions and Related Programs, Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services and Psychology making it one of the top colleges in Florida.

8. Florida Institute of Technology

Location: 150 W University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, USA
Fees: $43,670
Acceptance rate: 66%

The main campus of the Florida Institute of Technology is located in Melbourne, Florida and was known as Florida Tech. This university was made originally for the Kennedy Space Center’s space industry professionals' training ground. Half of the students that go to the Florida Institute of Technology attend the College of Engineering. The College is located on the e Space Coast of the Atlantic Ocean and is the perfect spot for water sports like surfing, boating, kayaking and fishing, making it one of the best universities in Florida. There are a number of research facilities run by Florida Tech that, includes the Wind and Hurricane Impact Research Laboratory, or WHIRL, and the Institute for Marine Research, which makes it one of the top colleges in Florida.  Some of the most popular majors here are Mechanical Engineering, Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology and Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering.

9. Keiser University

Location: 1500 NW 49th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309, USA
Fees: $34,100
Acceptance rate: 96%

The main campus of Keiser University is located in Fort Lauderdale and offers educational programs at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate levels and is one of the best universities in Florida. Keiser University competes in 26 intercollegiate varsity sports, including swimming, tennis, track, basketball, cross country and flag football and many more. Some of the most popular majors here are health care, business, culinary arts, legal studies, and education which makes it one of the best universities in Florida..

10. Nova Southeastern University

Location: 3301 College Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
Fees: $35,560
Acceptance rate: 93%

The main campus of Nova Southeastern University is located in Fort Lauderdale, and it is a private University that was founded in 1964. The campus is set in a suburban setting, and it has a trimester-based academic calendar. Nova Southeastern University is also known for the research it conducts, making it one of the best universities in Florida. Some of the most popular majors here are Health Professions and Related Programs, Biological and Biomedical Sciences and Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services.

Here are the 10 best universities in Florida that students from all over the world come to attend. With multiple schools, vast campuses, top-notch education, plenty of sports opportunities, perfect weather and closeness to the ocean, what else could students need?

For further information on student apartments, check out these student housing in Florida.