Best Colleges in Florida (2025)

Home to 47 ranked institutions, Florida offers a diverse higher education landscape dominated by large public universities alongside specialized private colleges. With 23% public and 77% private nonprofit institutions, graduates earn a median of $50,686 ten years after enrollment—$5,131 lower than the national average, reflecting the state's varied economic sectors from tourism to aerospace.

Graduate earnings across Florida's institutions range from $29,420 to $84,131 ten years after enrollment, demonstrating significant variation in career outcomes. Florida International University leads the rankings with graduates earning $60,249, followed by University of Central Florida at $58,308 and University of South Florida at $57,743. The median earnings gap compared to national averages underscores how program selection and institutional choice directly impact long-term financial outcomes.

While Florida International University dominates the overall rankings, it also serves as the state's premier hidden gem with a 58% acceptance rate. Achieving the highest Azimuth Score of 2.4 while maintaining accessible admissions, FIU demonstrates that students don't need ultra-selective institutions to access top-tier outcomes in Florida's competitive higher education market.