Best Colleges in Florida (2026)
Updated
Best Colleges in Florida covers 40 institutions in Florida. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Florida, highest first.
The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. Florida International University ranks 1st on this list, with median earnings of $62,192 for its graduates four years after completing. The list includes 12 public and 28 private nonprofit schools.
Public schools make up 30% of the list. University of Florida carries the lowest average net price at $6,541, and University of Florida shows the highest six-year completion rate at 91%.
Florida International University ranks 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.
The ranked list
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida International University · Miami, FL | $62,192 | $9,288 | $7,003 | 54.7% |
| Florida International University ranks 1st on this list and 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 2 | University of Central Florida · Orlando, FL | $61,355 | $10,411 | $5,816 | 40.1% |
| Graduates of University of Central Florida earn a median of $61,355 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $10,411. | |||||
| 3 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $77,321 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
| University of Florida admits 24% of applicants and graduates 91% of its students within six years. | |||||
| 4 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $62,079 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
| With a six-year completion rate of 77%, University of South Florida reports an average net price of $4,122 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 5 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $66,924 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
| Florida State University ranks 5th on this list, with median earnings of $66,924 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 6 | Florida Atlantic University · Boca Raton, FL | $59,690 | $8,752 | $3,022 | 66.1% |
| An average net price of $8,752 coincides with an admission rate of 66% at Florida Atlantic University. | |||||
| 7 | University of North Florida · Jacksonville, FL | $59,418 | $10,154 | $6,647 | 53.2% |
| Graduates of University of North Florida earn a median of $59,418 four years after completing, and the school graduates 69% of its students within six years. | |||||
| 8 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University · Tallahassee, FL | $52,657 | $13,739 | $13,299 | 20.6% |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University reports an average net price of $13,299 for families earning under $30,000 and admits 21% of applicants. | |||||
| 9 | University of West Florida · Pensacola, FL | $67,723 | $9,364 | $4,815 | 58.2% |
| University of West Florida ranks 9th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 59% and median earnings of $67,723 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 10 | Florida Gulf Coast University · Fort Myers, FL | $59,369 | $12,568 | $8,220 | 63.4% |
| Admitting 63% of applicants, Florida Gulf Coast University reports an average net price of $8,220 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 11 | Nova Southeastern University · Fort Lauderdale, FL | $81,582 | $30,371 | $26,603 | 73.2% |
| Graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $81,582 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $30,371. | |||||
| 12 | Florida Polytechnic University · Lakeland, FL | $86,952 | $11,853 | $8,819 | 57.5% |
| Florida Polytechnic University ranks 12th on this list, with median earnings of $86,952 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 13 | University of Miami · Coral Gables, FL | $85,019 | $37,244 | $15,978 | 18.9% |
| University of Miami admits 19% of applicants and reports median earnings of $85,019 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 14 | Barry University · Miami, FL | $73,480 | $22,613 | $20,804 | 77.2% |
| Barry University posts a six-year completion rate of 38% and an average net price of $22,613. | |||||
| 15 | Jacksonville University · Jacksonville, FL | $77,058 | $25,180 | $21,893 | 56.9% |
| Graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $77,058 four years after completing, and the school ranks 599th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. | |||||
| 16 | AdventHealth University · Orlando, FL | $79,607 | $30,135 | $28,845 | Not reported |
| AdventHealth University reports an average net price of $28,845 for families earning under $30,000 and a six-year completion rate of 39%. | |||||
| 17 | Everglades University · Boca Raton, FL | $59,470 | $27,371 | $25,556 | 81.5% |
| Everglades University admits 81% of applicants and its graduates earn a median of $59,470 four years after completing. | |||||
| 18 | Bethune-Cookman University · Daytona Beach, FL | $46,007 | $12,030 | $10,896 | 88.2% |
| Bethune-Cookman University has an average net price of $12,030 and a six-year completion rate of 31%. | |||||
| 19 | Florida Institute of Technology · Melbourne, FL | $90,403 | $35,639 | $29,108 | 57.7% |
| Florida Institute of Technology reports median earnings of $90,403 for its graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 58%. | |||||
| 20 | St. Thomas University · Miami Gardens, FL | $70,806 | $26,312 | $24,657 | 97.9% |
| St. Thomas University admits 98% of applicants and has an average net price of $24,657 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 21 | Saint Leo University · Saint Leo, FL | $58,644 | $21,293 | $19,602 | 78.4% |
| Saint Leo University ranks 828th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports a six-year completion rate of 45%. | |||||
| 22 | Trinity College of Jacksonville · Jacksonville, FL | $47,042 | $20,011 | $16,686 | 53.3% |
| Trinity College of Jacksonville posts median earnings of $47,042 for its graduates four years after completing and an admission rate of 53%. | |||||
| 23 | New College of Florida · Sarasota, FL | $43,848 | $7,195 | $3,591 | 73.2% |
| New College of Florida has an average net price of $7,195 and a six-year completion rate of 67%. | |||||
| 24 | Stetson University · Deland, FL | $57,773 | $19,372 | $15,931 | 71.6% |
| Stetson University admits 72% of applicants and reports median earnings of $57,773 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 25 | Warner University · Lake Wales, FL | $50,390 | $19,748 | $17,853 | 42.8% |
| Warner University reports median earnings of $50,390 for its graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $19,748. | |||||
| 26 | Rollins College · Winter Park, FL | $65,488 | $34,732 | $27,177 | 47.5% |
| Rollins College admits 48% of applicants and graduates 75% of its students within six years. | |||||
| 27 | The University of Tampa · Tampa, FL | $62,720 | $36,211 | $30,011 | 40.3% |
| The University of Tampa ranks 27th on this list, with a six-year completion rate of 64% and median earnings of $62,720 four years after completing. | |||||
| 28 | Ave Maria University · Ave Maria, FL | $59,489 | $24,860 | $18,761 | 41.4% |
| An average net price of $18,761 for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 54% six-year completion rate at Ave Maria University. | |||||
| 29 | Florida Southern College · Lakeland, FL | $58,753 | $28,551 | $23,624 | 64.4% |
| Florida Southern College posts median earnings of $58,753 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 64%. | |||||
| 30 | Florida Memorial University · Miami Gardens, FL | $46,572 | $23,238 | $21,882 | 85.3% |
| Reporting an average net price of $23,238, Florida Memorial University admits 85% of applicants. | |||||
| 31 | Trinity College of Florida · Trinity, FL | $35,285 | $20,297 | $16,224 | 91.9% |
| Trinity College of Florida ranks 1310th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its graduates earn a median of $35,285 four years after completing. | |||||
| 32 | Southeastern University · Lakeland, FL | $50,572 | $31,942 | $29,498 | 53.0% |
| Graduates of Southeastern University earn a median of $50,572 four years after completing, and the school reports an average net price of $29,498 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 33 | Flagler College · Saint Augustine, FL | $52,031 | $30,525 | $21,733 | 80.8% |
| Flagler College graduates 56% of its students within six years and reports median earnings of $52,031 four years after completing. | |||||
| 34 | Webber International University · Babson Park, FL | $50,359 | $29,529 | $27,801 | 69.4% |
| With an admission rate of 69%, Webber International University reports a six-year completion rate of 28%. | |||||
| 35 | Palm Beach Atlantic University · West Palm Beach, FL | $54,983 | $28,354 | $25,570 | 82.0% |
| Palm Beach Atlantic University reports median earnings of $54,983 for its graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $25,570 for families earning under $30,000. | |||||
| 36 | Florida College · Temple Terrace, FL | $46,022 | $23,931 | $20,494 | 69.7% |
| Florida College ranks 1398th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, and admits 70% of applicants. | |||||
| 37 | Lynn University · Boca Raton, FL | $53,587 | $44,089 | $40,711 | 73.5% |
| Lynn University ranks 37th on this list and reports median earnings of $53,587 for its graduates four years after completing. | |||||
| 38 | Ringling College of Art and Design · Sarasota, FL | $49,311 | $57,742 | $47,261 | 69.7% |
| Ringling College of Art and Design admits 70% of applicants and posts a six-year completion rate of 72%. | |||||
| 39 | Eckerd College · Saint Petersburg, FL | $48,651 | $38,071 | $29,615 | 75.8% |
| Eckerd College carries an average net price of $38,071, and its graduates four years after completing report median earnings of $48,651. | |||||
| 40 | Beacon College · Leesburg, FL | $29,712 | $53,517 | $47,601 | 43.5% |
| Beacon College holds an Azimuth composite rank of 1461st among nonprofit four-year institutions and graduates 60% of its students within six years. | |||||
How this list is ordered
Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Florida, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. The score draws on median earnings of federally aided completers across all fields, measured four years after completing, among those working and not enrolled. The list does not measure fit or teaching quality. Florida International University ranks 1st on this list and 14th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, while University of Central Florida follows at 2nd and 19th on the same composite ranking. The list includes 12 public and 28 private nonprofit institutions.