Largest Colleges and Universities in Florida
Editor & Writer
Editor & Writer
Editor & Writer
Editor & Writer
Data Summary
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Florida has the fourth-highest college student enrollment of any state. -
The University of Central Florida is the biggest college in Florida, with over 68,000 students. -
Seven Florida colleges enrolled over 40,000 students in 2022. -
Three Florida schools are among the top 10 largest colleges in the U.S.
When it comes to college student enrollment, Florida ranks fourth in the nation among states with the most college students. With over 850,000 students getting their degrees in the Sunshine State, Florida boasts some pretty impressive numbers when it comes to student population.
Several of the largest schools in the country can be found nestled in the Miami suburbs in South Florida and close to the white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast. Read on to find out what makes each of these Florida colleges unique and explore key statistics (pun intended) about the sheer size of these student bodies.
Top 20 Biggest Colleges and Universities in Florida
In the table below, you'll find more information about the biggest colleges in Florida. Three of these schools also rank among the top 10 largest colleges in the U.S., and five make it into the top 25 largest schools in the country.
You'll also see the school's status as either a four-year institution or a primarily associate degree-granting baccalaureate institution (PAB). These schools are community colleges that grant bachelor's degrees.
| Rank | School Name | City | Four-Year/PAB | Public/Private | 2022 Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central Florida | Orlando | Four-year | Public | 68,346 |
| 2 | Florida International University | Miami | Four-year | Public | 55,609 |
| 3 | University of Florida | Gainesville | Four-year | Public | 55,211 |
| 4 | University of South Florida | Tampa | Four-year | Public | 49,600 |
| 5 | Miami Dade College | Miami | PAB | Public | 47,245 |
| 6 | Florida State University | Tallahassee | Four-year | Public | 44,161 |
| 7 | Valencia College | Orlando | PAB | Public | 43,370 |
| 8 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | PAB | Public | 30,057 |
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton | Four-year | Public | 29,592 |
| 10 | Full Sail University | Winter Park | Four-year | For-Profit | 26,737 |
| 11 | Palm Beach State College | Lake worth | PAB | Public | 24,223 |
| 12 | St Petersburg College | Petersburg | PAB | Public | 23,501 |
| 13 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | PAB | Public | 20,363 |
| 14 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | PAB | Public | 19,504 |
| 15 | University of Miami | Coral Gables | Four-year | Nonprofit | 19,402 |
| 16 | Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale | Fort Lauderdale | PAB | Nonprofit | 19,020 |
| 17 | University of North Florida | Jacksonville | Four-year | Public | 16,406 |
| 18 | Florida Gulf Coast University | Fort Myers | Four-year | Public | 15,969 |
| 19 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | PAB | Public | 14,862 |
| 20 | Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | PAB | Public | 14,326 |
Get to Know the Biggest Colleges in Florida
We've highlighted key facts about the seven biggest colleges in Florida, each with a student population of more than 40,000.
1. University of Central Florida
- Undergraduate Format: 83% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $6,368
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $22,467
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Total Student Enrollment: 68,346
The University of Central Florida is almost unparalleled in terms of its size. How big are we talking? The largest university in Florida, it's also the second largest in the entire U.S. (after Texas A&M, with nearly 75,000 students). The next school to even come close — Ohio State University — has almost 7,000 fewer students than UCF.
UCF offers 244 bachelor's programs, 219 master's programs, and 81 doctoral programs through 13 distinct colleges.
As of fall 2022, almost half (49%) of UCF students identified as a minority. The school is also an official Hispanic-Serving Institution, with about 28% Hispanic student enrollment.
2. Florida International University
- Undergraduate Format: 74% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $6,565
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $18,963
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Total Student Enrollment: 55,609
In addition to being the second-largest school in Florida, Florida International University is also the seventh-largest university in the country.
Students at FIU can pick from over 190 in-person degree programs or from over 130 online options. In their downtime, they can join some of the university's 300+ student groups or check out the three art and history museums on campus.
Located in Miami, the university's main campus takes up a 342-acre city block. Students can explore the city of almost half a million people2 known for its Cuban cuisine, nightlife, art scene, and beaches.
3. University of Florida
- Undergraduate Format: 96% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $6,381
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $28,659
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Total Student Enrollment: 55,211
The University of Florida also enrolls over 50,000 students, putting this school in the top 10 largest schools in the country (It ranks eighth.) as well as third on our list of the largest colleges in Florida.
Despite its large size, UF has the lowest student-to-faculty ratio of any school on this list at 16-to-1, according to 2022 NCES data.
Another thing that may help students feel like the school is smaller than it is? UF is located in Gainesville, a classic mid-sized Florida college town with a famous indie music scene and charming historic districts.
4. University of South Florida
- Undergraduate Format: 86% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $6,410
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $17,324
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Total Student Enrollment: 49,600
The University of South Florida offers over 180 degree programs at 14 separate colleges across three campuses — Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. The Tampa campus supports over 600 student clubs and sports a 28,000 square foot rec center.
As of fall 2022, 45% of USF students were Black, AAPI, Hispanic, Native American, or multiracial.
A 2020 economic impact report from the university's school of business calculated the university's total economic impact on Florida at over $6 billion dollars. The report estimated that the school supported over 68,700 jobs in Florida and directly employed over 16,000 people, making it the 14th largest public employer in the state.
5. Miami Dade College
- Undergraduate Format: 64% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $2,838
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $9,661
- Acceptance Rate: Open admissions
- Total Student Enrollment: 47,245
Miami Dade College offers over 300 associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs. Bachelor's options include degrees in engineering, data analytics, education, and nursing. The school will also launch Florida's first BS program in applied artificial intelligence in 2024.
With almost three-quarters (71%) of its student body Hispanic/Latino in 2022, the college is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. In fact, the school received a grant in 2020 for over $14 million dollars from the U.S. Department of Education to benefit educational opportunities for Hispanic students and, in 2022, was chosen to join Google's HSI Career Readiness Program to help Hispanic students develop in-demand digital skills.
6. Florida State University
- Undergraduate Format: 96% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $5,656
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $18,786
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Total Student Enrollment: 44,161
Florida State University also sports some impressively large numbers — the student body includes learners from 130 different countries studying on a campus system with nearly 400 buildings and over 2,600 faculty. Plus, the school's operating budget is close to $2 billion dollars.
FSU is located in the state capital of Tallahassee, which is full of historical museums and opportunities to engage in local politics. The school is located on the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, which has been operating since 1851.
7. Valencia College
- Undergraduate Format: 52% in-person or hybrid
- Avg. In-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $2,474
- Avg. Out-of-State Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $9,383
- Acceptance Rate: Open admissions
- Total Student Enrollment: 43,370
Valencia College has 10 locations across the Orlando area and offers over 130 degree and certificate programs to its more than 43,000 students.
In addition to being very large, Valencia College is also one of the cheapest colleges in Florida, with the lowest in- and out-of-state tuition rates on this list. As of 2022, 79% of full-time undergraduates were awarded financial aid, according to NCES data.
Plus, low-income students at Valencia may qualify for subsidized childcare, and students in short-term training programs may be able to score a scholarship sponsored by none other than heavy metal legends Metallica.
Behind the Numbers
Enrollment, tuition, and admissions data in this report come from the National Center for Education Statistics.[2] All other facts and figures about the colleges listed come from each school's website.
