2025-26 Rankings
Best Colleges in Florida
Our rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics including academic selectivity, institutional resources, and tuition costs.
Note: Tuition costs shown for public universities reflect in-state tuition rates.

Coral Gables, FL•Private
19%
Acceptance Rate$79,230/yr
1320-1480
82%
"At the University of Miami, you'll chase big dreams under palm trees, fueled by 'The U' swagger and endless sunshine in upscale Coral Gables."

Gainesville, FL•Public
24%
Acceptance Rate$16,597/yr
1320-1480
90%
"Florida's massive flagship where gator football roars blend with powerhouse engineering, agriculture, and business programs in humid Gainesville."

Tallahassee, FL•Public
24%
Acceptance Rate$18,466/yr
1270-1410
83%
"Florida State University's sprawling Tallahassee campus pulses with Seminole spirit, where football fever meets rigorous academics in a humid Southern college town."

Sarasota, FL•Public
73%
Acceptance Rate$19,052/yr
1060-1245
66%
"Florida's only public honors college where you ditch letter grades for narrative evaluations and design your own path through contract-based learning."

Winter Park, FL•Private
48%
Acceptance Rate$73,420/yr
1160-1370
72%
"Rollins College is located in Winter Park, FL."

Lakeland, FL•Private
64%
Acceptance Rate$53,840/yr
1150-1330
67%
"Florida Southern College is located in Lakeland, FL."

Saint Petersburg, FL•Private
76%
Acceptance Rate$62,954/yr
1160-1330
67%
"Waterfront liberal arts haven where students kayak to class and study sea turtles up close on Boca Ciega Bay."

Melbourne, FL•Private
58%
Acceptance Rate$58,010/yr
1120-1320
69%
"Space Coast tech hub training rocket scientists amid palm trees and rocket launches."

DeLand, FL•Private
72%
Acceptance Rate$70,348/yr
1060-1270
66%
"Stetson University is located in DeLand, FL."

Tampa, FL•Public
43%
Acceptance Rate$18,999/yr
1130-1320
75%
"University of South Florida is located in Tampa, FL."

Orlando, FL•Public
40%
Acceptance Rate$16,436/yr
1200-1350
72%
"Florida's enrollment giant, blending massive scale with Orlando's tourism and tech energy on a lake-dotted campus."

Daytona Beach, FL•Private
65%
Acceptance Rate$55,870/yr
1160-1360
66%
"Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach is located in Daytona Beach, FL."

Ave Maria, FL•Private
41%
Acceptance Rate$39,037/yr
1040-1260
64%
"Dom Monaghan's faithful Catholic liberal arts outpost in Florida's planned town of Ave Maria."
Lakeland, FL•Public
58%
Acceptance Rate$16,504/yr
1170-1340
55%
"Florida Polytechnic University is located in Lakeland, FL."

Fort Lauderdale, FL•Private
73%
Acceptance Rate$50,450/yr
1030-1300
64%
"South Florida's hub for hands-on health sciences and oceanography amid suburban palms and nearby beaches."

Jacksonville, FL•Private
57%
Acceptance Rate$60,730/yr
1100-1280
53%
"Jacksonville University is located in Jacksonville, FL."

Tallahassee, FL•Public
21%
Acceptance Rate$15,480/yr
1030-1180
61%
"Florida's flagship HBCU leading in pharmacy, engineering, and agriculture since 1887."
Saint Augustine, FL•Private
81%
Acceptance Rate$38,040/yr
960-1190
64%
"Flagler College is located in Saint Augustine, FL."

Miami, FL•Public
55%
Acceptance Rate$17,801/yr
1070-1260
68%
"Miami's sprawling public research university fueling careers in hospitality, business, and global studies amid urban commuter energy."
Leesburg, FL•Private
43%
Acceptance Rate$62,078/yr
960-1180
61%
"Beacon College is located in Leesburg, FL."