What Is the Florida College System?
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- The Florida College System is made up of 28 state and community colleges.
- Florida College System students can earn various associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificates.
- Florida College System students who earn an AA degree qualify for guaranteed admission to one of Florida's state universities.
A network of 28 state and community colleges, the Florida College System provides state residents with easy access to earning certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. Because of the system, Florida maintains the fourth-largest student body and the lowest public four-year in-state tuition rates in the country.
But is the Florida College System right for you? Read on for a full list of schools in the Florida College System and an overview of how it works and what it offers students.
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Overview of the Florida College System
The Florida College System aims to serve students across the state, with a college in each of Florida's 28 districts.
Supervised by the State Board of Education, this college system emphasizes workforce development programs and training that address specific state employment needs.
By utilizing a statewide course numbering system and transfer agreements, the Florida College System makes it easy for students to move between schools, complete their degrees, and ultimately advance their education.
Below is a list of all Florida College System schools. All data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
| School | City | Total Enrollment (Fall 2022) | In-State Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees (2022-2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | 30,057 | $2,830 | $8,952 |
| Chipola College | Marianna | 1,826 | $3,120 | $8,950 |
| College of Central Florida | Ocala | 5,483 | $2,710 | $10,517 |
| Daytona State College | Daytona Beach | 11,584 | $3,106 | $11,994 |
| Eastern Florida State College | Melbourne | 13,114 | $2,496 | $9,739 |
| Florida Gateway College | Lake City | 2,706 | $3,100 | $11,747 |
| College of the Florida Keys | Key West | 920 | $3,276 | $13,162 |
| Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | 14,326 | $3,401 | $12,979 |
| Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | 20,363 | $2,938 | $9,992 |
| Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | 4,694 | $2,370 | $8,635 |
| Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | 19,504 | $2,506 | $9,111 |
| Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | 14,862 | $2,764 | $10,201 |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg | 4,460 | $3,292 | $13,276 |
| Miami Dade College | Miami | 47,245 | $2,838 | $9,661 |
| North Florida College | Madison | 1,127 | $3,054 | $11,400 |
| Northwest Florida State College | Niceville | 4,898 | $3,246 | $11,625 |
| Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | 24,223 | $3,050 | $10,910 |
| Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey | 9,202 | $3,155 | $12,032 |
| Pensacola State College | Pensacola | 7,981 | $2,365 | $9,475 |
| Polk State College | Winter Haven | 8,180 | $3,366 | $12,272 |
| Santa Fe College | Gainesville | 12,729 | $2,563 | $9,189 |
| Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford | 14,323 | $3,131 | $11,456 |
| South Florida State College | Avon Park | 2,892 | $3,165 | $11,859 |
| St. Johns River State College | Palatka | 6,434 | $2,830 | $10,347 |
| St. Petersburg College | St. Petersburg | 23,501 | $2,682 | $9,286 |
| State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton | 8,588 | $3,074 | $11,595 |
| Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee | 11,266 | $2,026 | $8,062 |
| Valencia College | Orlando | 43,370 | $2,474 | $9,383 |
What Degrees Are Offered by the Florida College System?
Schools in the Florida College System offer an array of degree and certificate programs.
Here are some of the most common degree types you can earn:
- Associate of arts (AA)
- Associate of science (AS)
- Associate of applied science (AAS)
- Bachelor of arts (BA)
- Bachelor of science (BS)
- Bachelor of applied science (BAS)
You can also earn various diplomas and certificates, including an advanced technical certificate, an applied technology diploma, a career certificate, a certificate of professional preparation, and a college credit certificate.
Florida College System Guarantees Admission to a Florida University
Thanks to Florida's Statewide Articulation Agreement, you'll get guaranteed admission to one of the state's public four-year universities if you earn an associate degree through the Florida College System.
To qualify, you need to complete a 60-credit AA. You may also qualify with certain AS degrees, but the major must be the same at both levels.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Florida College System
How many schools are in the Florida College System?
The Florida College System consists of 28 member institutions. Each college represents a district comprising at least one of the state's counties. The system includes state public schools that award diplomas, certificates, and associate and bachelor's degrees.
Is HCC in the Florida College System?
Yes. Hillsborough Community College (HCC) is the seventh-largest college and one of the newest members of the Florida College System. Only Pasco-Hernando State College joined the system later.
What's the difference between a college and a state college?
The term "college" encompasses both state colleges, which are public and government-funded schools, and independently funded private colleges. State colleges tend to have lower tuition rates than private colleges, which can lead to higher enrollment rates as well.
What is the biggest school in the Florida College system?
The biggest school in terms of enrollment numbers in the Florida College System is Miami Dade College, which serves around 47,000 students annually, according to NCES. In fact, MDC enrolls more undergraduates than any other school in the country.
It also has one of the largest Black non-Hispanic undergraduate student bodies in the U.S.
What is the cheapest school in the Florida College System?
For associate degree-seeking students, Gulf Coast State College likely charges the lowest tuition rates in the Florida College System at less than $99 per credit.
Tallahassee Community College charges just over $100 per credit. It also charged the lowest average in-state tuition and fees among Florida College System schools at just $2,026 in 2022-2023, according to NCES.
