Largest Colleges and Universities in Florida

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.