Want to enroll in a college in Florida? Florida is one of the most noteworthy academic hubs in the United States and is home to hundreds of universities dedicated to transforming your college learning experience.

Most of these universities embrace diversity and offer a welcoming environment for students to develop their skills and expand their educational horizons. So if you’re interested in being admitted to a university in Florida, this guide can help you set your sights on the right institution.

If you’re wondering how to navigate through this student aid application process, try using a tool like Scholarship Finder from CollegeData to help you uncover the best program for your qualifications (GPA, extracurriculars, etc.) and your financial needs.

A temperate climate and easy access to the beach aren’t the only incentives to spending your undergraduate or graduate experience in this southern state. Here is a list of the most popular universities in Florida designed to unlock your potential and ease tensions such as housing crises and financial aid difficulties related to the college experience.

Here are the Best Universities in Florida

University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is a non-profit public institution located in Gainesville, FL. It’s a large institution and is ranked third in terms of the student population size. The institution is home to several research centers and academic colleges.

Admissions are relatively competitive with about 32,209 undergraduate student enrollments per year. Popular programs offered at the University of Florida include medicine, business administration, pharmacy, engineering, veterinary medicine, and law.

Besides academics, the university hosts a variety of sports programs and events. Additionally, UF offers various scholarship programs that can help achieve your educational goals.

University of Miami

This is a non-profit, private institution located in Coral Gables, Florida. The University of Miami is a large institution with a population of about 19, 990 students and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

This institution offers a dozen higher education programs, including master degrees, bachelor degrees, doctorate degrees, and pre-bachelor degrees (associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates). The University’s admission procedure is selective and is based on students’ previous academic grades and entrance examinations. International students are also eligible for applications.

Florida International University

Florida International University (FIU) is a non-profit public institution located in Miami, Florida. It’s accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

FIU is also one of the largest universities with over 45,000 enrollments. It offers a wide range of degree programs and courses including doctorate degrees, master degrees, bachelor degrees, and other programs. Similarly to the University of Miami, FIU has a selective admission program based on students’ previous academic record and entrance examinations. Its admission rate ranges from 50 to 60 percent, making it a moderately selective college.

University of Central Florida

The University of Florida (UCF) is located in Orlando, Florida, with branches in Cocoa and Daytona. It’s regulated by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, with an enrollment range of about 45,000 students, on average.

The institution offers several education programs, including master’s degrees, bachelor degrees, and doctorate degrees in a wide range of studies. It also has a selective admission program based on the students’ past academic grades and entrance tests. UCF’s admission rate ranges from 40 to 50 percent, which is relatively less competitive than other institutions located in highly-populated U.S. states. It allows for applications from international students.

University of South Florida

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public educational organization located in Tampa, Florida. It has branches in other locations including Sarasota, St. Petersburg, and Lakeland. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, with over 45,000 enrollments.

USF is recognized as a higher academic institution offering a wide range of degree programs including master degrees, bachelor degrees, doctorate degrees, and bachelor degrees (foundation/associate degrees certificate, and diplomas). Admissions offices will determine suitability for entry based on students’ previous academic records and entrance examination scores. The institution’s admission rate ranges from 50 to 60 percent making the odds of admission relatively high when compared to other U.S. higher education institutions.

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is located in Boca Raton, Florida. It has campuses in other locations including Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, Davie, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and has a large enrollment of about 39,999 students. FAU offers several higher education degrees and courses, including master degrees, bachelor degrees, doctorate degrees, and pre-bachelor degrees (diplomas, certificates, and associate degrees).

The institution has established rather selective admission criteria based on students’ previous academic records and entrance examinations. FAU admission rate ranges from 60 to 70 percent making it a fairly selective institution in the U.S. An added benefit of this particular institution is that international students can easily apply for enrollment.

Lynn University

Lynn University is a private institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. It is recognized and controlled by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Unlike the other large universities, Lynn is quite small with an enrollment of about 3,999 students. It offers a comprehensive variety of degree programs and courses, building its reputation as an esteemed institution in the Florida area.

Some of these academic programs include master’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and doctorate degrees in various areas of study. Admission is based on students’ past academic successes and entrance examination scores.

Final thoughts

No matter what draws you to Florida for your undergraduate or graduate experience, these institutions will equip you with the marketable skills, mentorships, and/or internships needed to land your dream job. Each university will lend to its own series of benefits and downsides. In the application phase of your college journey, weigh these pros and cons before accepting an admission offer.