Top Five Schools in Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is the nation's third-largest university and the biggest institution in Florida, with an undergraduate population of 35,110 students. The main campus is located in Gainesville, which is in the northern portion of the state. Established in 1853, the university has grown to house more than 150 research centers and institutes. Besides excellent academics and a 'Public Ivy' designation, Florida has a thriving student life. In 2007, U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Florida #49 on its list of America's Best Colleges.
University of Miami
Chartered in 1925, the University of Miami is a private, nonsectarian institution in the city of Coral Gables, Florida. Its location in the heart of metropolitan Miami means that the 10,509 undergraduate students who study at this university have endless opportunities for local internships and research. While many of Miami's academic programs are excellent, its business departments have earned national recognition by U.S. News and World Report and BusinessWeek. The university as a whole is ranked #52 by U.S. News and World Report.
Florida State University
Florida State University is located in Tallahassee, Florida and is one of the premier institutions in the state. There are currently 31,347 undergraduate students on campus at Florida State, making it the second largest university in Florida. The university was founded in 1851 as a research institution and has since developed to earn the ranking of #112 by U.S. News and World Report. Some of its academic programs are in such demand that they are considered 'limited access' and entry is extremely competitive. These programs include business, film, communication, visual arts, theater and dance.
Miami Dade College
Located in the heart of the urban Miami-Dade County, this community college is the largest of its type in the nation; in fact, the college enrolls more students than any other college in the state of Florida. There are currently 51,329 students enrolled at one of the eight Miami-Dade campuses. The college officially opened in 1960 and was the first integrated junior college in the state. Miami-Dade has managed to keep its open-enrollment policies while continuing to strengthen its academic programs on each of its sites.
University of Central Florida
Although lesser known than other universities in Florida, the University of Central Florida is actually the largest undergraduate school in the state. UCF was founded in 1963 with the purpose of training technicians for the nearby Kennedy Space Center, but has expanded to include a multitude of academic fields. Today there are 39,678 undergraduates enrolled at Central Florida, most of whom are commuter students living in one of the many nearby apartment complexes. The university also has thriving online degree programs that serve students around the world.
