Skip to Content

### Top-Rated Florida Colleges: Ranking the Best Schools in the Sunshine State

Choosing a university is a critical decision that significantly impacts one’s educational journey, influencing future earnings, career opportunities, student loan obligations, and social connections.

While aspiring students aim to receive the highest quality education possible, there are numerous factors to consider, such as location, campus size, diversity, academic specialties, and opportunities for international study.

Recommended Videos



Despite popular rankings often highlighting prestigious and costly Ivy League institutions, the United States boasts over 4,000 colleges and universities spread across all states and territories, each offering exceptional educational experiences.

A curated selection of the top four-year colleges in Florida has been assembled based on various criteria, including tuition fees, student-to-faculty ratios, admission rates, and graduation rates. The geographical setting of a university also plays a crucial role in its attractiveness, whether it is situated by the beach, surrounded by New England’s autumnal beauty, or in close proximity to tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Consequently, online and undisclosed location institutions have been excluded from this ranking.

Continue reading to discover the premier educational institutions in the state of Florida.

A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.Motortion Films // Shutterstock

#10. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide

  • Located in Daytona Beach, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 70%
  • Net price: $15,600
  • SAT range: Not available
  • Niche grade: A-

A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.mangpor2004 // Shutterstock

#9. Florida Institute of Technology

  • Located in Melbourne, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 66%
  • Net price: $32,314
  • SAT range: 1140-1340
  • Niche grade: A-

College students laughing and having fun at a tailgate party.Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

#8. University of South Florida – St. Petersburg

  • Located in St. Petersburg, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 27%
  • Net price: $10,841
  • SAT range: 1140-1280
  • Niche grade: A-

Bookshelves forming a hallway in a college library.DavidPinoPhotography // Shutterstock

#7. University of South Florida – Sarasota-Manatee

  • Located in Sarasota, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 24%
  • Net price: $2,734
  • SAT range: 1160-1290
  • Niche grade: A

A student taking notes in a library.Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. Florida International University

  • Located in Miami, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 64%
  • Net price: $9,398
  • SAT range: 1060-1240
  • Niche grade: A

You may also like:

An empty college dorm room with bunkbeds.Canva

#5. University of Central Florida

  • Located in Orlando, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 36%
  • Net price: $11,575
  • SAT range: 1170-1350
  • Niche grade: A

A college professor giving a lecture.Canva

#4. University of South Florida

  • Located in Tampa, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 49%
  • Net price: $10,004
  • SAT range: 1160-1320
  • Niche grade: A+

A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. Florida State University

  • Located in Tallahassee, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 37%
  • Net price: $12,684
  • SAT range: 1180-1340
  • Niche grade: A+

An empty college classroom.Canva

#2. University of Miami

  • Located in Coral Gables, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 28%
  • Net price: $34,492
  • SAT range: 1300-1460
  • Niche grade: A+

A group of college students working on their laptops.Canva

#1. University of Florida

  • Located in Gainesville, FL
  • Acceptance rate: 30%
  • Net price: $9,809
  • SAT range: 1300-1470
  • Niche grade: A+

You may also like:

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.