For those interested in studying in Florida, we have a very useful list. We selected the best Florida institutions for prospective students. Please know that rankings are based on academic research, alumni reviews, graduation rates, as well as assessment from peer colleges. On the page, you will find major admissions stats such as acceptance rate, tuition fees, average SAT scores for each ranked college or university.
| Rankings | Schools |
| 1 | University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 16,068 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 38.3% Average freshman retention rate: 90% 6-year graduation rate: 78% Classes with under 20 students: 51.7% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1230-1400 |
| 2 | University of Florida (Gainesville, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 49,589 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 43.2% Average freshman retention rate: 96% 6-year graduation rate: 84% Classes with under 20 students: 45.0% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1160-1360 |
| 3 | Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 41,087 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 58.5% Average freshman retention rate: 91% 6-year graduation rate: 74% Classes with under 20 students: 33.8% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 25-28 |
| 4 | Florida Institute of Technology (Melbourne, FL) Tuition: $34,710 Total enrollment: 5,189 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 57.4% Average freshman retention rate: 76% 6-year graduation rate: 56% Classes with under 20 students: 53.9% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1040-1250 |
| 5 | University of South Florida (Tampa, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 39,596 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 38.1% Average freshman retention rate: 88% 6-year graduation rate: 52% Classes with under 20 students: 26.7% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1060-1250 |
| 6 | University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 58,587 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 45.1% Average freshman retention rate: 87% 6-year graduation rate: 63% Classes with under 20 students: 26.0% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1090-1280 |
| 7 | Barry University (Miami Shores, FL) Tuition: $28,260 Total enrollment: 8,905 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 58.7% Average freshman retention rate: 64% 6-year graduation rate: 39% Classes with under 20 students: 67.9% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 840-1010 |
| 8 | Florida A&M University (Tallahassee, FL) Tuition: in-state: $5,187, out-of-state: $17,127 Total enrollment: 13,204 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 48.4% Average freshman retention rate: 80% 6-year graduation rate: 40% Classes with under 20 students: 29.2% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 18-22 |
| 9 | Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL) Tuition: N/A Total enrollment: 29,290 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 34.8% Average freshman retention rate: 78% 6-year graduation rate: 43% Classes with under 20 students: 27.3% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 980-1150 |
| 10 | Florida International University (Miami, FL) Tuition: in-state: $6,417, out-of-state: $18,816 Total enrollment: 44,686 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 39.4% Average freshman retention rate: 82% 6-year graduation rate: 43% Classes with under 20 students: 17.6% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 1060-1210 |
| 11 | Lynn University (Boca Raton, FL) Tuition: $32,600 Total enrollment: 2,102 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 63.1% Average freshman retention rate: 60% 6-year graduation rate: 42% Classes with under 20 students: 61.2% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 800-1000 |
| 12 | Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Tuition: $24,500 Total enrollment: 28,457 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 57.7% Average freshman retention rate: 69% 6-year graduation rate: 43% Classes with under 20 students: 74.4% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 930-1160 |
| 13 | University of West Florida (Pensacola, FL) Tuition: in-state: $6,060, out-of-state: $18,960 Total enrollment: 11,982 Fall 2011 acceptance rate: 63.0% Average freshman retention rate: 74% 6-year graduation rate: 48% Classes with under 20 students: 36.5% SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile: 20-25 |
National memorials in Florida
Fort Caroline is the site of the first French settlement in Florida, founded in 1564, but soon captured and destroyed by the Spanish. Located in the northeast of the state near the city of Jacksonville.
The De Soto National Memorial near the city of Bradenton commemorates the landing on the coast of Florida in 1539 by the famous Spanish pioneer Hernando de Soto and the first exploration of the southeast of the modern United States of America by his expedition.
National coastline in Florida
The Gulf Islands National Seashore includes several barrier islands and coastal areas in the states of Florida and Mississippi.
The Canaveral National Seashore is about forty kilometers off the coast of a barrier island, the longest stretch of undeveloped land on the east coast of Florida. More than a thousand species of plants grow on the territory of the reserve and more than three hundred species of birds live.
Some Notable Florida Natives and Residents
- Osceola (Osceola, 1804-1838) – an outstanding leader of the Indians of the Seminole people. Born in Alabama but later lived in Florida.
- Mary Jane MacLeod Bethune (Mary McLeod Bethune, 1875-1955) – teacher, philanthropist, statesman, one of the leaders of the movement for equal civil rights. Born in South Carolina, but later lived in Florida.
- Joseph Warren Stilwell (Joseph Warren Stilwell, 1883–1946) was a famous military leader in the US Army. Born in the city of Palatka.
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas (Marjory Stoneman Douglas, 1890-1998) – journalist and writer, environmental activist (including the Everglades region). Born in Minnesota, but later lived in Florida.
- Zora Niel Hurston (Zora Neale Hurston, 1891-1960) – writer and anthropologist. Born in Alabama, but later lived in Florida.
- Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, 1896–1953) was a popular writer. Born in Washington, DC, but later lived in Florida.
- Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) is a famous writer. Born in Illinois but later lived in Florida.
- Harry Tyson Moore (Harry Tyson Moore, 1905-1951) – teacher, activist in the movement for equal civil rights. Born in the village of Houston.
- Jacqueline Cochran (Jacqueline Cochran, 1906-1980) – one of the pioneers of aviation, the first female pilot to break the sound barrier. Born in Pensacola.
- Sidney Poitier (Sidney Poitier, 1927–) – film actor; the first black man to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. Born in Miami.
- Julian Edwin “Cannonball” Adderley (1928–1975) was a famous jazz saxophonist. Born in Tampa.
- Burton Leon “Bert” Reynolds Jr. (Burton Leon “Burt” Reynolds Jr., 1936–2018) is a famous film actor, director and producer. Born in Michigan but later lived in Florida.
- Janet Wood Reno (Janet Wood Reno, 1938-2016) – lawyer and statesman; first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General. Born in Miami.
- James Douglas “Jim” Morrison (James Douglas “Jim” Morrison, 1943-1971) is a famous rock musician, singer and songwriter. Born in the city of Melbourne.