College is where we truly start to shape our futures. Let’s learn about the biggest colleges in Florida. More than just taking classes, it’s a time of personal growth, self-discovery, and creating bonds that will last a lifetime.
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions we’ll make as we transition from youth into adulthood.
When considering colleges, it’s about more than just academics. Of course, we want an excellent education, but we also need to think about the entire student experience. Will I feel at home here? Will this school provide opportunities for my career aspirations?
In Florida, USA there are several exceptional colleges to consider that offer top-notch academics along with vibrant campus communities. Whether you grew up in the area or are thinking of somewhere new, Florida has great options worth exploring. This list highlights some of Florida’s best colleges
List of biggest colleges in Florida
Here is a table of top-ranked and largest colleges and universities in the state of Florida. It includes both public and private institutions from various regions of Florida. The table shows the location, year found, and average student enrollment to give a sense of the history and size of each school. The University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida have some of the highest enrollment, while smaller private schools like The Baptist College of Florida have much lower total enrollment. Overall, this showcases the diversity of excellent higher education options available across the state with high success ratio and high enrollment across many fields with research and real-life experience.
| College | Established | Average Enrollment | Location |
| University of florida | 1853 | 52,000 | Gainesville |
| Florida State University | 1851 | 42,000 | Tallahassee |
| University of south florida | 1956 | 50,000 | Tampa |
| University of Central Florida | 1963 | 68,000 | Orlando |
| Florida Internation University | 1965 | 58,000 | Miami |
| University os West Florida | 1963 | 12,500 | Pensacola |
| University of West Florida | 1961 | 30,000 | Boca Raton |
| The Baptist College of Florida | 1943 | 800 | Graceville |
| Florida Southern College | 1883 | 3,000 | Lakeland |
| Florida A&M University | 1887 | 10,000 | Tallahassee |
Biggest college town in Florida
Gainesville College
Florida has many colleges but Gainesville is one of the biggest college towns in Florida. Here are some information about Gainesville
Location: North-central Florida
Total population: Around 145,000 residents (2022)
Student population: Over 70,000 students are in Gainesville which is nearly 50% of the total population.
Major colleges: University of Florida (over 52,000 students) and Santa Fe College.
Housing: Mix of apartments, condos, single-family homes; many students live off-campus
Transportation: The bus system connects the UF campus to downtown.
Events: Gator football games, parades, festivals, and block parties.
Economy: The majority of jobs in Gainesville are related to UF and Santa Fe College and it has a negative impact when there is no session.
Demographics: Students account for nearly half the population when schools are in session
Challenges: Traffic congestion, parking shortages with large student influx during sessions
So with nearly half its residents as students, Gainesville transforms into a lively college town revolving around UF and Santa Fe College.
Biggest college football stadium in Florida
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Florida has one of the largest football colleges in the USA. and the largest college football stadium in Florida is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium which is also known as “The Swamp” It is located at the University of Florida in Gainesville.
Here are some key facts about Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Location: Gainesville, Florida on the campus of the University of Florida
Home stadium for: University of Florida Gators football team
Nickname: “The Swamp”
Opened: Originally opened in 1930, with major renovations in 1991 and 2003
Seating capacity: 88,548, making it the largest stadium in Florida
Record attendance: 90,907 on November 28, 2009, for a game against rival Florida State
National championships: The Gators have won 3 national titles (1996, 2006, 2008) playing home games in The Swamp
Other events: The Swamp has hosted concerts, political rallies, and speeches, including by President Obama
Renovations: Expansions and upgrades over the years have added luxury boxes, seats, video boards, plaza, and club seating
Advantage: The loud, energetic environment makes it an intimidating place for opponents and gives the Gators a tremendous home-field edge
Future plans: More upgrades and improvements are in the works to maintain The Swamp’s status as an elite college football venue
Biggest college campus in Florida
University of Florida
There are numerous colleges in Florida but the University of Florida has the biggest campus in Florida.
Here are some key facts about the biggest campus in Florida
Location: Gainesville, Florida
found: 1853
Total campus size: 2,000 acres
Campus features: Historic buildings, open green spaces, natural areas
Colleges: 16 different colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes are there in Florida.
Student population: Over 52,000 students enrolled
Housing: Residence halls provide on-campus housing for over 7,400 students
Attractions: Florida Museum of Natural History, Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts, University Auditorium
Sustainability: Over 300 acres of campus are dedicated to conservation areas which shows its credibility towards nature as well.
Growth: The campus has continued expanding over decades while maintaining historic buildings with more facilities and career options.
Academics: Top-ranked public university offering over 300 degree programs with high enrollment.
Alumni: Over 350,000 alumni worldwide including Fortune 500 CEOs and NASA astronauts
So the University of Florida’s 2,000-acre campus provides ample space for its large student body and diverse array of colleges and facilities. This biggest campus in Florida contributes a lot to the economy, R&D, and in country’s progress.
Biggest party college in Florida
Florida State University
Florida State University is the biggest party college in Florida. Here are some facts about this party college
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Student population: Over 41,000 students enrolled
Party reputation: FSU ranked as one of the top party schools in the nation by Princeton Review
Social scene: Lots of bars and nightclubs near campus, big tailgating scene for football games
Annual events: Massive parties around home football games, Halloween, Spring Break
Law enforcement: FSU and Tallahassee police frequently patrol off-campus housing and break up large gatherings which sometimes leads to chaos in FSU.
Academics: FSU is still a top-ranked public university, despite its party reputation
Changes: High numbers of parties in FSU were spoiling its reputation so in recent years have seen increased enforcement and new policies to control excessive partying
Balance: Most students work hard during the week while also enjoying F SU’s lively social side on weekends
So while FSU still embraces its party image, it also offers a quality education and full college experience beyond just the nightlife.
Biggest public college in Florida
University of Florida
There are so many public and private colleges in Florida but the biggest public college in Florida is the University of Florida. Here are some facts about this public college:
Location: Gainesville, FL
found: 1853
Student enrollment: Over 50,000 students
Academics: 16 different colleges, over 300 degree programs with a high success rate.
Rankings: It ranks as one of the top 5 public universities according to US News & World Report
Research: $900 million in annual research expenditures which makes this university one of the best in the USA.
Faculty: Over 5,000 faculty members, many top researchers
Alumni: Fortune 500 CEOs, astronauts, governors, entrepreneurs, and many more elite alumni.
Admissions: Highly selective admissions with low acceptance rates with affordable fees.
Graduation rate: 90% 4-year graduation rate for students
Ranking: Consistently ranked Florida’s top public university
So the University of Florida offers the premier public college experience in the state. Its strong academics, research, athletics, and value make it Florida’s one of the best and it provides an excellent education and great career opportunities.
Biggest Christian college in Florida
South-eastern University
South-eastern University is one of the largest Christian colleges in Florida. Here are some facts about it
Location: Lakeland, Florida
found: 1935
Affiliation: Assemblies of God denomination
Student enrollment: Over 6,000 students
Academics: Over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs
Faith Focus: Students are required to take Bible courses, weekly chapel
Housing: Majority of students live on campus
Facilities: State-of-the-art worship center, athletics complex
Financial aid: Generous scholarships and aid available
Notable alumni: Pastors, authors, missionaries, entrepreneurs
Community impact: Partnerships with local churches, schools, and non-profits.
Future plans: Recently announced expansion campaign to enhance campus
So South-eastern University combines faith and learning while preparing students for careers so that they won’t go in unethical and wrong directions.
Biggest community college in Florida
Miami Dade College
The biggest community college in Florida in terms of enrollment is Miami Dade College. Here are some key facts about Miami Dade College:
Location: Miami, Florida
found: 1959
Total enrollment: Over 100,000 students across multiple campuses which makes it of the most college as well.
Campuses: 8 dedicated campuses located throughout Miami-Dade College.
Academics: Associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, career certificates with high success rate.
Affordability: Very low tuition compared to 4-year universities
Student body: Highly diverse, with over 90 countries represented
Class formats: In-person, online, hybrid, and accelerated courses offered
Ranking: Named one of the top community colleges not in just Florida but in whole nation.
So with its huge enrollment internationally with diverse students, Miami Dade College stands out as one of the most prestigious community colleges not just in Florida, but the entire country. Its affordable tuition fee and career-focused programs with high enrollment rates make it an attractive college option.
Biggest Tech college in Southern Florida
Florida Atlantic University
There are numerous colleges in Southern Florida but Florida Atlantic University is a leading tech college in Southern Florida. Here are some facts about it as well:
Location: Boca Raton, FL
found: 1961
Student population: Over 30,000 students
Academics: Offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees across all disciplines
Tech programs: Computer science, engineering, information technology, bioinformatics
Facilities: State-of-the-art engineering and computer labs, maker spaces
Research: Millions in annual R&D expenditures in tech fields.
Tech focus: Emphasis on innovation, entrepreneurship, industry partnerships
Campus tech: Advanced IT infrastructure, wireless everywhere, latest software
Living Lab: Smart campus used as a living laboratory for new technologies
Business partnerships: Collaborations with tech companies like Google and IBM
Start-up support: Business incubators and accelerators to launch new tech ventures
Career outcomes: Graduates highly recruited by top tech firms and start-ups.
Location: High-tech corridor in South Florida for opportunities after graduation
So FAU provides a strong foundation in tech fields while encouraging learning, R & D with real-world experience.
Frequently Asked Qestions
What is the #1 university in Florida?
The University of Florida is #1 university in Florida with 96.7% retention.
What is the largest college in the US?
Texas A&M University is the largest college in the US.
Is UCF the biggest college in America?
University of Central Florida (UCF) is the second largest college in America.
How big is the University of Florida?
The campus size of Florida University is 2,000 acres.
Why is the University of Florida so cheap?
Because of investments by the state of Florida University is cheap.
Is Florida a good place for international students?
Yes Florida is good for both local and international students.