State Hub

Colleges in Florida

CampusPin tracks 163 colleges in Florida — 117 universities and 46 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

163

Universities

117

Community colleges

46

Avg. in-state tuition

$17k

About college search in Florida

How Florida's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Florida operates one of the more tightly coordinated public higher-education systems in the country. The State University System of Florida (SUS) runs 12 public universities including the University of Florida (Gainesville flagship), Florida State (Tallahassee), the University of South Florida (Tampa), the University of Central Florida (Orlando — one of the largest U.S. universities by enrollment), Florida International (Miami), and Florida A&M (the state’s public HBCU). The separate Florida College System operates 28 institutions that combine community-college pathways with selected four-year baccalaureate programs.

Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship covers a substantial portion of tuition at SUS universities and Florida College System institutions for eligible in-state students who meet GPA and test-score thresholds. The 2+2 transfer pathway from a Florida College System institution to an SUS university is formalized and widely used. The state has multiple distinct regional metros (Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee, Gainesville), each with its own anchor public university.

State University System (12 institutions)

SUS coordinates 12 public universities including UF, FSU, USF, UCF, FIU, FAU, UWF, UNF, FAMU, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida Polytechnic, and New College.

Florida College System (28 institutions)

Florida’s 28 community and state colleges combine two-year transfer pathways with selected four-year baccalaureate programs. The 2+2 transfer to SUS is formalized.

Bright Futures Scholarship

Bright Futures covers a substantial portion of in-state tuition at SUS universities and Florida College System institutions for eligible students meeting GPA and test-score thresholds.

FAMU as the public HBCU

Florida A&M University in Tallahassee is the state’s public HBCU and an 1890 land-grant institution.

Public university system

State University System of Florida (SUS) — 12 institutions

SUS coordinates Florida’s public universities: UF, FSU, USF, UCF, FIU, FAU, UWF, UNF, FAMU, FGCU, Florida Polytechnic, and New College of Florida.

Community college network

Florida College System (28 institutions)

The Florida College System operates 28 institutions that combine two-year transfer pathways with selected four-year baccalaureate programs. The 2+2 transfer agreement to SUS is the formal articulation path.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Florida in-state public tuition is among the lower rates in the U.S. — the state legislature has historically kept SUS in-state tuition relatively flat. The Bright Futures Scholarship can further reduce in-state cost. Out-of-state rates are substantially higher; residency rules in Florida are scrutinized closely.

Top metros for college search

Where Florida's higher-education density concentrates

  • Miami / South Florida

    Miami concentrates the University of Miami (private), Florida International (FIU), Miami Dade College, and several specialized arts and health institutions.

  • Orlando / Central Florida

    Orlando hosts the University of Central Florida (UCF — one of the largest U.S. universities by enrollment), Valencia College, and Rollins (private).

  • Tampa Bay

    Tampa Bay is anchored by the University of South Florida (USF), the University of Tampa (private), and Hillsborough Community College.

  • Tallahassee

    Tallahassee is the state capital and the home of Florida State University (FSU), Florida A&M (FAMU, HBCU), and Tallahassee State College.

  • Gainesville

    Gainesville is built around the University of Florida (UF), the state’s primary public flagship and land-grant institution.

  • Jacksonville

    Jacksonville hosts the University of North Florida (UNF), Jacksonville University (private), Edward Waters University (HBCU), and Florida State College at Jacksonville.

South region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Florida

Across Florida (FL), CampusPin currently indexes 163 institutions: 41 public and 122 private, split between 117 universities and 46 community colleges. Students often compare fast-growing metros, flagship publics, regional campuses, and cost-sensitive pathways across a wide mix of institutions.

Run one search for broad public options and another for community-college or commuter-oriented pathways.
Check campus setting and support services early because regional fit can vary more than names alone suggest.
Keep cost, transfer, and online flexibility visible if location is important but not completely fixed.

Browse by major

Florida colleges by program

Jump straight to Florida colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Florida.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Florida

Showing 60 of 163 — use search or filters to see the rest.

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How to use the Florida hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Florida so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Florida

Explore all colleges in FloridaView community colleges in FloridaView online programs in FloridaRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Florida

Which is the public flagship university in Florida?
The University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville is the state’s primary public flagship and land-grant institution. Florida State University in Tallahassee is the second major public research university.
How does the Bright Futures Scholarship work?
Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship covers a substantial portion of in-state tuition at SUS universities and Florida College System institutions for eligible Florida residents who meet GPA, test-score, and community-service thresholds. Award levels and eligibility rules are revised periodically — verify current details with the Florida Department of Education and the institution.
How does the Florida 2+2 transfer pathway work?
Florida’s 2+2 articulation agreement gives students who complete an Associate in Arts (AA) degree at any Florida College System institution guaranteed admission to one of the 12 State University System universities. Program-specific or limited-access majors may have additional requirements — verify with both institutions.
How many HBCUs are in Florida?
Florida has four HBCUs: Florida A&M University (FAMU — public, Tallahassee), Bethune-Cookman University (private, Daytona Beach), Edward Waters University (private, Jacksonville), and Florida Memorial University (private, Miami Gardens).
What is the largest university in Florida by enrollment?
The University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando is one of the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment, alongside the University of Florida and Florida International University. Exact enrollment rankings vary year to year.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Florida search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Florida

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.