Private colleges in Florida boast beautiful campuses, research investment, affordability, and a focus on aerospace and marine science.
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Each year, students from all over the world head to the Sunshine State for college, often attracted by Florida’s promise of beachside studying, unique research facilities, and fairly affordable tuition.
Private universities in Florida, such as the University of Miami and Florida Tech, can offer a prestigious education and ample employment opportunities.
We’ve compiled a list of all 34 private colleges in Florida and spotlighted five popular schools to help you in your search.
5 Popular Private Colleges in Florida
If you’re considering attending school in Florida, check out our spotlight on five popular private colleges in Florida below.
The following school data comes from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). All enrollment and acceptance rate data is from 2021, while all tuition data is from 2022-2023.
1. University of Miami
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $57,194
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Total Student Enrollment: 49,169
At UM, 80% of students gain work experience. In fact, work experience opportunities likely helped 98% of 2022 UM graduates get employed or attend graduate school within six months of graduating.
You can participate in a dual-degree program to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Dual-degree programs are available through UM’s College of Arts and Sciences; College of Engineering; Miami Herbert Business School; Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science; School of Law; and Miller School of Medicine.
2. Nova Southeastern University
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $36,300
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Total Student Enrollment: 20,898
In addition to being the largest private Hispanic-serving institution in the U.S., NSU is Florida’s biggest private research university and houses the state’s only college of optometry.
NSU also offers students over $220 million in scholarships and sponsors over 250 research projects. Students often conduct research in areas like anticancer therapies, chronic fatigue syndrome, coral reef restoration, stem cells, and shark DNA forensics.
3. University of Tampa
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $32,218
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Total Student Enrollment: 10,794
At UT, 100% of undergrads received grants or scholarship aid in 2022. Most students here major in finance, marketing, international business, biology, nursing, or psychology.
UT has invested around $800 million in construction for its stunning riverfront campus. The university’s main academic and administrative building, Plant Hall, is also a national historical landmark. Originally built in the 1880s as an opulent hotel, the building now doubles as a museum and university facility.
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4. Florida Institute of Technology
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $43,670
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Total Student Enrollment: 7,830
Located in Melbourne, a city known as Florida’s Space Coast,
Florida Tech has developed a reputation for its premier aeronautics program. The school has graduated many successful Space Shuttle astronauts.
Through Florida Tech’s College of Aeronautics, you can major in aeronautical science, air traffic control, aviation management, aviation meteorology, flight operations and dispatch, or aviation human factors and safety. Within each major, you can choose from flight and non-flight programs.
5. Rollins College
- Avg. Undergraduate Tuition & Fees: $56,110
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Total Student Enrollment: 3,057
Rollins College is located in Winter Park, an Orlando suburb not too far from Walt Disney World. The 80-acre campus sits on a lake and boasts idyllic Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and an outdoor pool near the dorms.
One of Rollins’ most beloved traditions is Fox Day. One day each spring, the Rollins fox statue appears on the campus lawn. Classes are immediately canceled for the day, and there’s a pancake breakfast and picnic.
List of All Private Colleges in Florida
Here is a complete list of all four-year nonprofit private universities in Florida. Use the table below to compare data on student population, average net cost, acceptance rate, and number of applicants.
All data comes from NCES.
| School | Total Student Enrollment | Avg. Annual Net Price | Acceptance Rate | Number of Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AdventHealth University | 1,667 | $27,329 | 34% | 694 |
| Ana G. Mendez University | 5,150 | $17,726 | 100% | N/A |
| Ave Maria University | 1,302 | $21,078 | 44% | 3,404 |
| Barry University | 7,337 | $20,207 | 60% | 13,225 |
| Beacon College | 460 | $43,474 | 52% | 416 |
| Bethune-Cookman University | 2,624 | $15,769 | 85% | 12,818 |
| Eckerd College | 2,036 | $41,857 | 65% | 5,549 |
| Edward Waters University | 2,871 | $13,649 | 84% | 8,988 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | 9,593 | $38,983 | 65% | 9,875 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide | 12,720 | $17,002 | 58% | 1,668 |
| Everglades University | 2,649 | $28,778 | 70% | 779 |
| Flagler College | 2,652 | $26,547 | 81% | 5,416 |
| Florida College | 535 | $21,360 | 72% | 286 |
| Florida Institute of Technology | 7,830 | $30,752 | 64% | 13,941 |
| Florida Institute of Technology Online | 1,461 | $24,115 | 92% | 113 |
| Florida Southern College | 3,386 | $27,324 | 57% | 11,120 |
| Herzing University Orlando | 732 | $22,237 | 94% | 175 |
| Hodges University | 551 | $18,083 | 100% | N/A |
| Jacksonville University | 3,995 | $26,943 | 58% | 9,119 |
| Keiser University | 19,861 | $35,346 | 97% | 3,742 |
| Lynn University | 3,385 | $38,728 | 80% | 7,843 |
| Nova Southeastern University | 20,898 | $29,589 | 76% | 16,789 |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University | 3,687 | $30,276 | 95% | 6,220 |
| Ringling College of Art and Design | 1,663 | $55,752 | 65% | 2,462 |
| Rollins College | 3,057 | $35,317 | 50% | 9,022 |
| Saint Leo University | 9,523 | $20,390 | 80% | 6,928 |
| Southeastern University | 9,365 | $27,910 | 61% | 2,182 |
| St. Thomas University | 5,921 | $28,654 | 65% | 7,520 |
| Stetson University | 4,257 | $25,756 | 94% | 7,344 |
| Trinity Baptist College | 365 | $19,217 | 50% | 363 |
| University of Miami | 19,096 | $36,467 | 19% | 49,169 |
| University of Tampa | 10,794 | $34,653 | 26% | 40,286 |
| Warner University | 907 | $20,431 | 55% | 1,372 |
| Webber International University | 812 | $27,995 | 49% | 2,665 |
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What Is the Cost of College in Florida?
Average tuition costs in Florida are quite a bit cheaper than the national average. For in-state public universities, the average tuition cost in Florida was $4,541 in 2021, according to NCES. That’s about $5,000 cheaper than the national average.
For out-of-state students, the average tuition cost in Florida is $18,322, nearly $10,000 cheaper than the U.S. average.
Private college tuition is significantly more expensive, especially compared to public tuition for in-state students. The average private college tuition in Florida is $28,860.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public 4-Year (In-State) | $4,541 |
| Public 4-Year (Out-of-State) | $18,322 |
| Private 4-Year | $28,860 |
| Public 2-Year (In-State) | $2,506 |
| Public 2-Year (Out-of-State) | $9,111 |
Fastest-Growing Jobs in Florida
The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) projects impressive job growth for 10 careers in Florida. Demand for nurse practitioners is projected to grow the most at a rate of 50% through 2030.
Other fast-growing healthcare positions include physician assistant (32%), physical therapy assistant (27%), veterinary technician (25%), and respiratory therapist (24%).
Florida is also projected to see job growth for information security analysts (33%), gaming dealers (27%), and healthcare instructors (26%).
| Job | Projected Growth | Median Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 50% | $48.61 |
| Information Security Analysts | 33% | $48.41 |
| Physician Assistants | 32% | $48.88 |
| Physical Therapist Assistants | 27% | $29.94 |
| Gaming Dealers | 27% | $12.28 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 26% | $49.13 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 25% | $34.14 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | 25% | $17.56 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | 25% | $13.79 |
| Respiratory Therapists | 24% | $29.10 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Colleges in Florida
How many private colleges are in Florida?
There are fewer than 50 four-year nonprofit private colleges in Florida. If you’re interested in attending a Florida private college, there are plenty of options to choose from across the state, including the University of Miami, Florida Tech, and the University of Tampa.
You can narrow your search by size, price, program options, or location.
What is the No. 1 private college in Florida?
The University of Miami consistently ranks as the top private university in Florida. The school has an R1 Carnegie Classification for high research activity.
It was also invited to be part of the Association of American Universities, an organization of research universities founded by Ivy League-level colleges.
UM is known for its elite music, medicine, and business programs.
What is the most affordable private college in Florida?
According to NCES, Edward Waters University is the most affordable private college in Florida, with an average annual net price of $13,649. EWU is a small HBCU based in Jacksonville.
What is the hardest college to get into in Florida?
The University of Miami is the hardest college to get into in Florida. In 2022, UM reported a 19% acceptance rate and received nearly 50,000 undergraduate applications. The school’s total undergraduate population is just over 12,000 students.
