Your Guide to Miami Colleges & Schools

Welcome to MiamiColleges.org! On the following pages, you will find our top picks for schools in Miami and the State of Florida. We have chosen the best community colleges, state universities, private schools, and vocational institutes. We hope that our guide aids you in your pursuit of higher education to attain your dream job.

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Top Schools in the Miami Area

  • Barry University: Barry University is a private Catholic school with about 60% of its students pursuing a graduate degree. Barry has a diverse student population, and was rated one of the top graduate schools for Hispanics.
  • Carlos Albizu University: CAU specializes in training its future psychologists to consider the culture and ethnic backgrounds of their patients. Along with psychology programs, students can also study business and education.
  • Florida International University: FIU is one of the largest universities in the US, with over 200 degree programs to choose from. Many graduates continue to work in South Florida; in fact, half of all public school teachers in Miami-Dade hold a degree from FIU.
  • Florida National College: FNC, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, has three campuses spread throughout Miami-Dade County. The school caters to Hispanic students, who have the option to choose from a variety of diploma and certificate programs, as well as associate and bachelor degrees, in the fields of health sciences, business and economics, English as a second language, humanities/fine arts, and nursing.
  • Nova Southeastern University: NSU was founded in 1964 in Fort Lauderdale as a graduate university for social and physical sciences. They have since expanded to include undergraduate studies and a wide range of programs to study.
  • Saint Thomas University: Saint Thomas is a Catholic university offering programs in the fields of business, law, leadership studies, science, technology, engineering, and theology and ministry.
  • University of Miami: UM's 15,000 students have over 180 majors to choose from on five campuses. UM has a brilliant student population, with the majority of students graduating in the top 10% of their high school class, and their football team is one of the best in the nation, having won the NCAA championships five times.

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Top Private Schools in Florida

  • Eckerd College: Eckerd College is a liberal arts and sciences college, with civic engagement, creative writing, environmental studies, international relations and global affairs, marine science, and organizational studies being its most noted programs.
  • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Embry-Riddle is the only aviation-geared, accredited university in the world. They have over 130 educational centers spread throughout the world, and graduates from Embry-Riddle are most likely to be hired by commercial airlines than from any other program.
  • Flagler College: Flagler is a small college with a student body of under 3,000 located in St. Augustine. Students can pursue a bachelor's degree in arts, fine arts, or science in public administration. It is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
  • Florida Coastal School of Law: Coastal Law is an accredited law school located in Jacksonville. Their law graduates pass the bar exam at a rate of 83%, and they have one of the highest rated honor boards in the country.
  • Florida Memorial University: Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial is the original historically black institution in the southern region of Florida. Its small student body of under 2,000 choose from over 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
  • Florida Southern College: Florida Southern, located in Lakeland, Florida, offers a small teacher to student ratio at 12 to 1. It is ranked as a top value college as well as one of the best baccalaureate colleges in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
  • Saint Leo University: Saint Leo educates its 14,000+ students online and across 17 campuses nationwide. They offer about 40 degree programs and are highly rated for Armed Forces members pursuing higher education.
  • Stetson University: Stetson's main campus is located in DeLand, with a college of law in Saint Petersburg, a law center in Tampa, and a university center in Celebration. Stetson has been around since 1883, making it the first private university in Florida. Stetson is also home to the first college of law in Florida as well.
  • University of Tampa: UT is located in downtown Tampa with a student population of just over 6,000. UT offers over 120 programs, a student/teacher ratio of 17 to 1, and one of the largest and most prestigious MBA programs in Florida.

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State Schools in Florida

  • Florida Atlantic University: FAU's main campus is located in Boca Raton, with seven other campuses spread through Florida, which host a total of 28,000 students. There are 170 degree programs available in 10 schools, including a graduate college, nursing college, education, business, and more.
  • Florida Gulf Coast University: FGCU, located in Fort Myers, is dedicated to academic freedom, promotion of diversity, and public service. Students can pursue courses of study at the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Health Professions, College of Professional Studies, Lutgert College of Business, or the Whitaker School of Engineering.
  • Florida State University: FSU, one of the top research universities in the nation, lives by the creed of developing strength, skill, and character. FSU has over 40,000 students, and its highest ranked programs include arts, business, chemistry, human sciences, information, law, library science, physics, political science, psychology, and public administration.
  • New College of Florida: New College has a higher per-capita rate of Fulbright scholars than Stanford, Yale, and Harvard. The school has less than 1,000 students attending, and students create their own study programs based on their interests.
  • University of Central Florida: UCF has over 225 programs available, most distinguished including business administration, digital media, education, engineering and computer science, hospitality management, modeling and simulation, and optics.
  • University of Florida: UF, which started out as a men's only institution, is now one of the largest universities in the nation. UF ranks at the top of the charts for most bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanics and African Americans, and they have an extremely high freshmen retention rate at 94%.
  • University of North Florida: UNF is in a state of growth, with over 16,000 students enrolled as of Fall 2009. Their school of nursing and their college of education and human services recently received national awards. UNF is definitely an up and coming school to keep your eye on.
  • University of South Florida: USF is a leading public research institute in the US and has a student body of over 47,000 on its four campuses, with the main one in Tampa. Students can choose from over 230 courses of study, with over half of these being postgraduate degrees.
  • University of West Florida: UWF, located in Pensacola, was founded in 1967. They are one of the smaller public universities in Florida, with a student population of just over 11,000 and an average class size of 25.

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Top Community Colleges in Florida

  • College of Central Florida: CF has agreements with several universities, allowing students to pursue associate degrees in arts and sciences, applied technology diplomas, bachelor of applied science degrees, and a number of certificate programs. The cost per credit hour for courses ranges from $37.44 to $465.22 depending on course of study and residency. 
  • Daytona State College: Students attending Daytona State can pursue coursework in the schools of arts, music, and science; engineering technology and occupational programs; health, human and public services; education; or business administration.  
  • Edison State College: Founded in 1962, Edison has campuses in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. Bachelor's, associates, and certificate programs are on offer, in fields such as education, health, accounting, and technology. 
  • Hillsborough Community College: HCC is one of the largest associate-degree producers in the country, and also ranks highly for number of minority students graduating with associate degrees as well. HCC has seven campuses throughout the Tampa area, including Brandon, Plant City, Y-Bor, Dale Mabry, MacDill, and SouthShore. HCC offers associate degrees as well as certificate programs.
  • Miami Dade College: Miami Dade College has the distinction of being the largest higher learning institution in the US, with over 170,000 students spread over eight campuses. More associate degrees are awarded here than in any other school, and MDC also issues the most associate degrees in nursing and to minorities.
  • Pensacola State College: Formerly Pensacola Junior College, they offer classes at $85 per credit hour with over 120 programs to choose from. Pensacola State College was recently ranked 8th in the country for the number of nursing degrees granted.
  • Seminole State College: Seminole State College, with campuses in Altamonte Springs, Heathrow, Oviedo, and Sanford, offers programs in the following fields: architecture, engineering and construction; arts, digital cinema and digital media; business; communications; computer science and information; technology; education; health; law and public safety; liberal arts; performing arts; science and math; and transportation and energy.
  • St. Petersburg College: Along with associate degrees and certificates, SPC also issues bachelor's degrees. They also have a partnership with other universities in Florida, allowing students to attain postgraduate degrees as well. Their fields of specialty include business, education, health, technology, information science, and engineering.
  • Tallahassee Community College: TCC is a major producer of associate degrees in Florida, with the vast majority of its graduates moving on to pursue advanced degrees. TCC offers courses of study in education, business and management, criminal justice and public safety, healthcare, and engineering and technology, as well as a variety of certificate and adult education programs.
  • Valencia Community College: Valencia boasts a 94% employment rate for its students who pursue careers after graduation. They have a multitude of campuses and degree programs to choose from.

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Top Vocational Schools in Florida

  • Argosy University: Argosy has several campuses nationwide, with one in Sarasota and another in Tampa. Both campuses offer coursework for those interested in working in psychology, education, business, liberal arts, and criminal justice.
  • ATI Career Training Center: ATI offers career training in a number of fields, including health care, fitness, information technology, welding, automotive and motorcycle repair, electronics, and business. They have been open for over 30 years, and are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.
  • Commercial Diving Academy: Located in Jacksonville, this school is unique in that it remains the sole accredited commercial diving institution in the southeastern US. Upon graduation, students go on to work as commercial divers, underwater welders, dive medics, emergency medics, hyperbaric chamber technicians, and sports diving instructors.
  • Dade Medical College: Dade Medical College has campuses throughout the Miami-Dade County, including Homestead, Hialeah, Hollywood, and Miami. Students can pursue degree or diploma programs in sonography, ultrasounds, radiologic technology, healthcare management, massage therapy, medical assistance, medical billing and coding, and nursing.
  • Florida College of Natural Health: The Florida College of Natural Health is an accredited institution offering programs in therapeutic massage, skin care, and electrology. They have locations in Miami, Maitland, Bradenton, and Pompano Beach.
  • Fortis College: Fortis College is located in Pensacola, and trains students to be medical assistants and office specialists, dental assistants, pharmacy technicians, and different aspects of cosmetology. They also have campuses in Winter Park, Tampa, Mulberry, Orange Park, Largo, and Jacksonville.
  • Full Sail University: Full Sail is one of the nation's premier institutions for a career in entertainment. They offer programs in entertainment business, game design, computer animation, digital arts, film, game art, game development, music business, recording arts, show production, web design, graphic design, and recording engineering. It's rated as a having one of the best film schools by Unleashed magazine, best music programs by Rolling Stones, and top five game degree programs in the world by Electronic Gaming Monthly.
  • Johnson & Wales University: JWU is a great option for those looking to work in the fields of business, culinary arts, education, hospitality, or technology. Their North Miami campus is one of four nationwide.
  • Miami International University of Art & Design: This 40-year-old arts and design school offers degree programs in fashion, advertising, graphic design, computer animation, web design, visual and entertainment arts, photography, film, and more. There are three campuses in Florida: Miami, Tampa, and Jacksonville.
  • WyoTech - Daytona: At their Daytona campus, WyoTech offers highly specialized training in motorcycle technology with the BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha brands. They also offer a marine specialist program for those aspiring to work on marine watercraft engines.

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Most Popular Careers in Miami

  • Accountants and Auditors: Most accountants and auditors have at least a bachelor's degree in a related field, with many holding master's degrees and CPA certificates. The average accountant and auditor earn just under $60,000, with the top 10% making more than $100,000. 
  • Computer Software Engineers and Programmers: Those excelling in the software engineering and computer programming field enter the workforce with a master's degree in a related field. Computer programmers earn an average of almost $75,000 per year, and computer software engineers earn more than $90,000 per year on average. 
  • Construction Project Manager: The majority of construction managers have earned a bachelor's degree in a field such as building science, civil engineering, construction science, or construction management. Their median salary is just under $80,000 per year, with the top 10% earning over $145,000.
  • Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors: Most licensed counselors have a master's degree, though states issue their own requirements. They earn an average of $55,000 per year, or about $26.50 per hour. The highest paid are those working in the federal executive branch and elementary/secondary schools. 
  • Graphic Designer: Bachelor's degree holders in graphic design earn about $42,000 per year on average. Freelance designers, senior designers, and design directors earn more, with salaries ranging from $57,000 to $95,000.
  • Lawyers: Lawyers need to undergo rigorous schooling to be eligible to practice, including three years of law school after attaining a bachelor's degree, and they must pass the bar exam. In Florida, lawyers earn an average yearly salary of over $113,000 per year.
  • Management Analyst: The majority of management analysts have master's degrees in business or a related field, and job growth in this field is more rapid than average. The median salary is just under $75,000, with the highest paid professionals making over $130,000 a year. 
  • Paralegals and Legal Assistants: The most common route to working as a paralegal is to attain an associate's degree in the field, though many other bachelor's degree holders work towards a paralegal certificate as well. About $46,000 is the annual median wage, with the highest paid making more than $73,000 per year. 
  • Registered Nurse: To work as a registered nurse, people must undergo specialized study in the form of a bachelor's degree, associate degree, or a diploma in nursing. Nursing is an extremely fast growing field, and they earn roughly $62,500 per year.
  • Teachers: Teachers must be bachelor's degrees holders, with the majority in education, and must also attain a license in order to practice. The average teacher makes about $50,000 per year, which varies by type of school and location. 

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