About Florida Southern College
Florida Southern College showcases the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture on a single campus. This private liberal arts college in mid-sized Lakeland enrolls 2,607 students and builds strong business programs alongside its architectural fame. Notable graduates include MLB players Jenkins Garrett and Dane Sardinha. The college accepts 57% of applicants with average SAT scores of 1185.
Students pay an average net price of $29,664 after financial aid, well below the sticker price of $42,360. Graduates earn a median of $55,294 ten years after college with typical debt loads of $25,000. Monthly loan payments average $265, making the investment manageable given earning potential. About 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $27,730.
The student body leans heavily female at 63%, with strong representation from Florida at 57% in-state enrollment. Small class sizes with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio create an intimate learning environment. The Moccasins compete in 18 Division II sports with 475 total athletes. Nearly 96% of graduates find employment, suggesting strong career preparation. The 78% retention rate indicates most students find what they're looking for on this architecturally distinctive campus.
Students pay an average net price of $29,664 after financial aid, well below the sticker price of $42,360. Graduates earn a median of $55,294 ten years after college with typical debt loads of $25,000. Monthly loan payments average $265, making the investment manageable given earning potential. About 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $27,730.
The student body leans heavily female at 63%, with strong representation from Florida at 57% in-state enrollment. Small class sizes with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio create an intimate learning environment. The Moccasins compete in 18 Division II sports with 475 total athletes. Nearly 96% of graduates find employment, suggesting strong career preparation. The 78% retention rate indicates most students find what they're looking for on this architecturally distinctive campus.
Academics & Faculty
Florida Southern College operates as a private liberal arts institution with strong business and professional programs. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates intimate classroom environments where professors know students by name. With a 69% six-year graduation rate, most students complete their degrees with solid academic support. The college is well-known for housing the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture on a single site, creating an inspiring campus environment for learning. Business programs draw many students, along with strong offerings in education and health sciences. The Methodist heritage emphasizes values-based education alongside rigorous academics. Students benefit from small classes and mentorship opportunities that larger universities cannot match.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 10:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100.0%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 68.8%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 69.3%
- Retention Rate
- 77.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,294
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Medium)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $97,959 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $61,020 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $61,020 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $59,846 |
| Curriculum and Instruction. | Master | $45,383 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor | $42,030 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Bachelor | $40,821 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $38,289 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. | Bachelor | $37,928 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. | Bachelor | $28,598 |
Campus Life
Frank Lloyd Wright designed twelve buildings at Florida Southern, creating the world's largest collection of his architecture on a single campus. Students walk between these distinctive concrete and glass structures daily, with the iconic Annie Pfeiffer Chapel serving as the campus centerpiece. The 100-acre campus sits in Lakeland, about 45 minutes from Tampa and an hour from Orlando. Florida's subtropical climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round, not winter coats.
With housing capacity for 2,267 students and total enrollment of 2,607, most students live on campus and create a tight-knit community. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Women make up 63% of the student body, creating a particular campus active. Students spend weekends exploring nearby lakes, attending Moccasins athletic events, or taking advantage of internship opportunities in Tampa's business district. The United Methodist affiliation provides a values-based atmosphere without being overwhelming. With 18 varsity sports and 475 total athletes, athletic culture runs strong through campus life.
With housing capacity for 2,267 students and total enrollment of 2,607, most students live on campus and create a tight-knit community. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name. Women make up 63% of the student body, creating a particular campus active. Students spend weekends exploring nearby lakes, attending Moccasins athletic events, or taking advantage of internship opportunities in Tampa's business district. The United Methodist affiliation provides a values-based atmosphere without being overwhelming. With 18 varsity sports and 475 total athletes, athletic culture runs strong through campus life.
- Setting
- City-Midsize
- Housing Capacity
- 2,267 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1883
Campus Safety (2023)
11 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rape | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Burglary | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fondling | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 50°–73°F
- July Avg
- 74°–92°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 56.8"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
Florida Southern draws students who value small classes, with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio creating intimate learning environments. The student body is 63% women, reflecting strong programs in education, nursing, and business that traditionally attract female students. About 57% come from Florida, showing solid regional appeal while still drawing students nationally. The college serves a socioeconomically diverse population, with 26% receiving Pell Grants. Students are drawn to the unique Frank Lloyd Wright campus architecture and the Methodist tradition of service-oriented education in a close-knit community setting.
- Men
- 36.8%
- Women
- 63.2%
- White
- 66.6%
- Black
- 6.3%
- Hispanic
- 15.4%
- Asian
- 2.7%
- In-State Students
- 57.5%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 26.0%
Location
Florida Southern College sits in Lakeland, a city of about 115,000 people in central Florida. The campus lies roughly 45 miles east of Tampa and 35 miles southwest of Orlando, placing students within driving distance of two major metropolitan areas. Lakeland anchors the heart of Florida's citrus and phosphate mining region, surrounded by numerous lakes that give the city its name. The area maintains a small-city feel while offering internship and job opportunities in agriculture, healthcare, and logistics industries. With 57% of students coming from in-state, many are familiar with Florida's year-round warm climate and outdoor recreation opportunities. Students considering colleges in Florida may also compare Florida Southern College with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- Lakeland, Florida 33801-5698
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $55,294
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $55,528
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $37,400
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 63.7%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $265/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $25,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at Florida Southern College?
Florida Southern College accepts 56.61% of applicants, making it moderately selective. The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1080-1290 on the SAT, reflecting the college's focus on attracting solid academic performers to its Methodist-affiliated campus.
How much does Florida Southern College cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $29,664 annually after aid, less than the $57,410 sticker price. About 30% of students receive institutional grants averaging $27,730, helping make this private liberal arts education more accessible.
What is the student-faculty ratio at Florida Southern College?
Florida Southern maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with 2,607 total students. This small class environment supports the college's reputation for strong business programs and personalized attention in a liberal arts setting.
How much do Florida Southern College graduates earn?
Graduates earn a median of $55,294 ten years after graduation with typical loan payments of $265 monthly. The 95.9% employment rate reflects strong career outcomes, particularly for business majors who benefit from the college's industry connections.
Where is Florida Southern College located?
The college sits in Lakeland, Florida, a mid-size city that houses the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture. About 57% of the 2,607 students come from in-state, drawn to both the unique campus design and Florida's year-round appeal.
What makes Florida Southern College's campus unique?
Florida Southern features the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright buildings on a single site anywhere in the world. The campus houses 2,267 students among these architectural treasures, creating a distinctive learning environment that blends historic design with modern liberal arts education.
