Universities & Colleges | Longwood, FL (2024)

The exceptional quality of technology research and training at Central Florida colleges and universities is increasingly recognized as an extraordinary community asset. Working in tandem, the University of Central Florida in Orlando and the University of South Florida in Tampa anchor Florida's High Tech Corridor, providing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral program options in specialties ranging from microelectronics to bio-med. In addition to the multitude of specialized high-tech curricula, graduate degrees in business administration and law are also available through local universities.

University of Central Florida (UCF)

With more than 60,000 students, including more than 1,250 students of international origin, UCF is the second-largest university in the nation. Maybe even more important is the school’s growing reputation as a top metropolitan research university, and its focus on meeting the needs of the local business community.

UCF's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is home to a nationally and internationally-ranked Champion Programming Team, as well as the university's largest graduate research programs.

The university is also renowned for its unique cross-disciplinary approach to education, which combines the strengths of its colleges of business and engineering to build skills in both the "virtual" and "real" worlds.

Several additional hands-on UCF research and training facilities include:

Materials Characterization Facility (MCF)
Nanotechnology Research
Institute for Simulation and Training (IST)
Space Education and Research Center
Florida Solar Energy Center
BioMolecular Science Center
Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL)

Central Florida Research Park

Adjacent to the University of Central Florida is the Central Florida Research Park, recognized as 1 of the top 10 research parks in the world. This 1,000-acre corporate community provides an environment for industry and the university to share training facilities, pursue cooperative research and transfer existing technology to the marketplace.

Rollins College

Recognized as one of the nation’s 50 “Best Value” private colleges and universities, according to The Princeton Review, Rollins is the top regional university in Florida, according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings. The college’s Roy E Crummer Graduate School of Business is noted for excellence in graduate management education and lifelong learning programs. Rollins currently has an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students from more than 40 states and 30 nations.

University of Florida (UF), Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)

UF/IFAS is a federal-state-county partnership dedicated to developing knowledge in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences, and enhancing and sustaining the quality of human life by making that information accessible. While extending into every community of the state, UF/IFAS has developed an international reputation for its accomplishments in teaching, research, and extension. Because of this mission and the diversity of Florida’s climate and agricultural commodities, Today, UF/IFAS includes extensions in each of the state’s 67 counties, 14 research and education centers with a total of 19 locations throughout Florida.

Full Sail University

Full Sail University is an award-winning educational leader for those pursuing careers in the entertainment and media industry. Founded in 1979, Full Sail offers on-campus and online master's, bachelor's, and associate's degree programs in areas related to animation, art, business, education, graphic design, film, marketing, web development, music, recording arts, sports, and video games. The University has been recognized as one of the Top Five Game Degree Programs by Electronic Gaming Monthly, one of the Best Music Programs by Rolling Stone magazine, and one of the Best Film Programs by UNleashed Magazine. In 2011, Full Sail received the "21st Century Best Practices in Distance Learning Award" from the United States Distance Learning Association, was named the "School/College of the Year" by the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges, and was recognized as one of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges by Studentadvisor.com.

Keiser University

Keiser University, founded in 1977, is a regionally accredited, private, career university offering certificates, Associate's, Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees. Keiser students are focused on entering new careers in high-demand professions or enhancing their level of skill in their present field. Currently serving a student population of approximately 13,000, the University’s online and international populations represent 15 percent of the total student population.

DeVry University

Renowned for technology education, DeVry University Orlando offers a variety of degrees, including bachelor's programs in computer information systems, telecommunications management, electronics engineering, business information systems, and information technology. An associate's degree is offered in electronics and computer technology. Master's degrees are available through the Keller Graduate School of Management.

University of Phoenix

Organized to meet the unique needs of working professionals, the University of Phoenix Orlando campus offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in information technology, business administration/technology management, e-business, and computer information systems. Certificate programs are also available in A+ computer service, Microsoft certified systems engineering, and Network+.

Adventist University

AdventHealth University, located near downtown Orlando, specializes in allied health and nursing education. The University works closely with Advent Health to give students the clinical experience that only a major medical center can provide. Florida Hospital, a globally recognized medical center, is the largest of more than 350 healthcare facilities, worldwide, operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The University’s degree programs include baccalaureate degrees in nursing and radiologic sciences and associate of science degrees in diagnostic medical sonography (general or cardiovascular ultrasound), nuclear medicine, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, pre-professional studies, and radiography. Certificate programs are available in advanced placement - diagnostic medical sonography, advanced modalities - cardiovascular interventional technology, computed tomography, magnetic resonance, mammography, and nuclear medicine. General education courses in liberal arts and sciences are also taught on our campus.

Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University

Ana G. Mendez Metro Orlando University utilizes a dual-language model in its strategy for education and is one of the first bilingual universities in the community. The university teaches classes in both English and Spanish in order to develop bilingual leaders of the future that will be able to thrive in a competitive global environment. Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered as well as MBA degrees with specializations in accounting, finance, management, and human resources.

Polytech University of Puerto Rico

Founded in 1966, Polytech University of Puerto Rico (PUPR) is fully accredited and internationally recognized in the fields of engineering, architecture, computer sciences, and business management and administration. The Orlando campus of PUPR provides opportunities in leadership, productivity, and awareness for students from diverse backgrounds. The university offers Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration, Organizational Management, Electrical, Civil, and Computer Engineering. They offer graduate programs in Business administration and Engineering management.

Central Florida Higher Education Alliance

Learn more about the Central Florida Higher Education Alliance.

Other higher education institutions with facilities and/or online opportunities in the region include:

FAQs

What is the #1 college in Florida? ›

Florida's flagship public university tops the rankings for the best college in the state. The University of Florida boasts a 96.7% retention rate. UF enrolls nearly 56,000 students and awards close to 16,000 degrees each year from its sprawling, historic campus in Gainesville.

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How many colleges and universities are there in Florida? ›

See 158 Florida Four Year Colleges and Universities from our extensive database of 404 Florida Colleges, Community Colleges, and Trade Schools. The sunny state of Florida has 171 universities for one to receive a top notch education.

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Which Florida college is hardest to get into? ›

What is the hardest college to get into in Florida? The University of Miami is the hardest college to get into in Florida. As of 2022, the school accepted only 19% of applicants, according to NCES data. First-time students had a median SAT score of 1390 and an ACT score of 32.

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What is the largest college or university in Florida? ›

With more than 69,000 students, UCF is the largest university by enrollment in Florida and one of the largest universities in the nation. It has more than 13,000 employees and an operating budget of $1.8 billion.

What is the easiest college to get into in Florida? ›

The easiest colleges to get into in Florida are Broward College, Indian River State College, Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale, College of Central Florida, and Herzing University – Orlando. These universities focus less on past academic performance and more on providing quality education to all students.

What is the prettiest university in Florida? ›

Some of the most beautiful College campuses in the country are here in Florida

Florida State University. Where: Tallahassee, Florida.
Palm Beach Atlantic University. Where: Palm Beach, Florida.
St. Thomas University. ...
University of North Florida. Where: Jacksonville, Florida.
University of South Florida. ...
University of Tampa.

Are there any prestigious colleges in Florida? ›

University of Miami

The University of Miami is the most selective college among the top universities in Florida. Located in Coral Gables, UMiami has an acceptance rate of 28%.

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Is FSU a bigger party school than UF? ›

According to the Princeton Review's 2020 rankings of the top party schools in the country, UF is #16 and FSU is #18.

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Why is UCF so big? ›

It is the result of the desire to improve the lives of as many qualified students as possible. That's because we believe in the transformative power a college education wields and the lifelong impact it has on individuals, their families, our community and beyond.

What is the #1 top college? ›

National Universities

#1. Princeton University.
#2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
#3. Harvard University (tie)

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Is Florida number 1 in education? ›

Tallahassee, Fla., May 7, 2024 – Today, U.S. News & World Report announced that Florida is again ranked #1 in the nation for education. The publication's Best State ranking is based on a combination of strong performances in higher education and K-12 metrics.

Is UF or FSU better? ›

UF is generally considered to be a little more academically prestigious and has stronger programs in engineering, business, and the sciences. FSU is known for its programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

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Is UF the #1 public school? ›

1 Public Institution by Wall Street Journal - News - University of Florida. Today, The Wall Street Journal named the University of Florida the No. 1 public university in the country in its “2024 Best Colleges in the U.S.” report.