2023 Most Popular Schools in Florida
It's not easy to decide which program to enroll in when you have so many options available. As online education oppotunities continue to grow, you're not restricted to just schools in your local area anymore. Even some of the 'big name' schools are offering online courses. Also, there are a number of trade schools and bootcamps with offerings that you might find attractive.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Most Popular Schools in Florida to help you in your search for the best school for you. Our analysis looked at 323 schools in Florida to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Florida
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found University of Central Florida to be the most popular school for students in Florida. University of Central Florida is a large public school located in Orlando, Florida that handed out 19,318 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,607 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $211.After graduating from UCF, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $44,595 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Florida list. This large public school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 18,483 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from FIU accumulate an average of $23,098 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $93. Once they receive their degree, FIU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,774 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Out of the 323 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, Valencia College landed the # 3 spot on the list. Valencia College is located in Orlando, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18,199 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $18,372 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $83, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Valencia College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,350 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Miami Dade College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Schools in Florida list. Miami Dade College is a large public school located in Miami, Florida that handed out 17,521 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,593 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MDC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,255 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Out of the 323 schools in Florida that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the # 5 spot on the list. This large public school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 17,268 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,875 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $207 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UF, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,332 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Florida list. This large public school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 14,828 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,223 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $177 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, USF Tampa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,747 during the early year of their career. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Broward College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. BC is a large public school situated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It awarded 13,738 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,086 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from BC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,319 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 58% were women.
Florida State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 13,129 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $20,926 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $171 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Florida State graduates make an average of $44,027 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
With a ranking of #9, Florida State College at Jacksonville did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Jacksonville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 9,256 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,613 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from FSCJ, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,241 during the early years of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Florida Atlantic University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, the large public school awarded 8,628 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,373 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $160, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, FAU graduates make an average of $43,652 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Ultimate Medical Academy - Clearwater did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #11 on the list. Clearwater, Florida is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 7,746 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $19,393 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, UMA Clearwater graduates make an average of $21,883 annually. Around 96% of those degree recipients were women.
Palm Beach State College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Florida ranking. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 7,049 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $14,679 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Palm Beach State College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,671 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
St Petersburg College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Clearwater, Florida, the large public school handed out 7,209 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $25,619 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, SPC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,600 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Seminole State College of Florida came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Sanford, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 6,961 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Seminole State accumulate an average of $19,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Seminole State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,833 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Full Sail University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Winter Park, Florida, the large private for-profit school handed out 6,190 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Full Sail University accumulate an average of $30,956 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $409, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Full Sail University graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $30,635 during the early year of their career. Around 33% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Miami ranked #16 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Florida list. University of Miami is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Coral Gables, Florida that handed out 6,042 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from U Miami accumulate an average of $17,771 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $530, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, U Miami graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,957 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Hillsborough Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #17 on the list. HCC is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6,012 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $18,698 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $114. During the early years of their career, HCC graduates make an average of $40,156 annually. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Nova Southeastern University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Florida ranking. NUS Florida is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,062 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from NUS Florida accumulate an average of $27,779 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $405. During the early years of their career, NUS Florida graduates make an average of $61,266 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 73% were women.
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 5,884 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,584 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $167, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,413 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
University of North Florida ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Florida list. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 4,871 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,077 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $134. During the early years of their career, UNF graduates make an average of $44,563 annually. Around 62% of those degree recipients were women.
Indian River State College came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Florida ranking. Fort Pierce, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,469 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $13,075 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Indian River State College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,566 during the early year of their career. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Rasmussen University - Florida did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Rasmussen University - Florida is a medium-sized private for-profit school located in Ocala, Florida that handed out 4,368 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,604 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $127.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Florida, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,940 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 87% were women.
The University of West Florida landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Located in Pensacola, Florida, the fairly large public school awarded 4,364 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $21,275 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, UWF graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $41,369 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Embry-Riddle Worldwide is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Daytona Beach, Florida. It awarded 4,305 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,541 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $792. Once they receive their degree, Embry-Riddle Worldwide graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $65,116 during the early year of their career. Around 16% of those degree recipients were women.
Full Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide Report
Eastern Florida State College landed the #25 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. Cocoa, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 4,291 students in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,763 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, EFSC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $35,517 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Rest of the Top 15% Most Popular Schools in Florida
Not only did these schools make the top 49 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:
Most Popular Schools in the Southeast Region
View Most Popular Schools Nationwide >
Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City, FL |
| 51 | Universal Technical Institute - Orlando | Orlando, FL |
| 52 | St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens, FL |
| 53 | Sheridan Technical College | Hollywood, FL |
| 54 | Florida National University - Main Campus | Hialeah, FL |
| 55 | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL |
| 56 | Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville | Jacksonville, FL |
| 57 | University of Florida-Online | Gainesville, FL |
| 58 | Rollins College | Winter Park, FL |
| 59 | Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL |
| 60 | Flagler College - St Augustine | Saint Augustine, FL |
| 61 | Palm Beach Atlantic University | West Palm Beach, FL |
| 62 | Southern Technical College | Orlando, FL |
| 63 | South Florida State College | Avon Park, FL |
| 64 | Miami Regional University | Miami Springs, FL |
| 65 | Manatee Technical College | Bradenton, FL |
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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