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Urban Colleges in Florida

50 schools in Florida. See our methodology.

Key College in Fort Lauderdale achieves perfect graduation rates with just 16 students, highlighting how Florida's urban colleges vary dramatically in scale and outcomes. The state's 84 urban institutions serve over 200,000 students with net prices spanning from $4,536 to $40,289 annually. University of Florida leads with 91.5% graduation rates and highly selective 23.35% acceptance, while Florida Atlantic University opens doors wider at 81.32% acceptance for its 23,458 students. These urban campuses connect directly to Florida's booming job markets in healthcare, aerospace, and tourism. Nursing programs like Galen College of Nursing produce graduates earning $61,480, while Embry-Riddle's aerospace focus yields $84,131 median earnings. The state's Bright Futures scholarship program and absence of income tax make these urban options particularly attractive. Career-focused programs dominate many smaller institutions, with graduates from West Coast University-Miami commanding $102,672 in healthcare fields. Florida's urban colleges span from massive research universities to specialized career schools, all serving metropolitan areas where internships and job placement opportunities align with the state's key industries.
50
Schools
$17,510
Avg. Net Price
$49,162
Avg. Earnings
57.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Florida

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Midsize 34,102 $6,351 91.5%
2 City-Midsize 31,812 $10,997 83.0%
3 City-Midsize 4,577 $4,702 77.7%
4 City-Midsize 16 $14,507 100.0%
5 City-Large 36,299 $10,043 74.6%
6 City-Small 900 $38,218 50.0%
7 City-Large 1,601 $29,598 64.5%
8 City-Small 216 $27,624 61.9%
9 City-Large 13,915 $10,353 68.2%
10 City-Midsize 7,516 $15,847 51.9%
11 City-Large 10,093 $35,634 61.9%
12 City-Large 1,068 $31,885 35.6%
13 City-Small 7,535 $40,289 67.4%
14 City-Small 23,458 $8,001 64.3%
15 City-Small 63 $34,656 79.3%
16 City-Small 8,786 $19,733 21.6%
17 City-Small 1,037 $18,526 56.0%
18 City-Small 10,162 $5,939 51.2%
19 City-Small 104 100.0%
20 City-Small 707 $4,536 61.8%
21 City-Large 35,001 $5,929 44.7%
22 City-Large 35,125 $10,399 43.5%
23 City-Small 3,614 $2,339 44.8%
24 City-Small 11,790 $3,119 42.0%
25 City-Small 4,717 $12,310 44.0%
26 City-Large 522 $20,833 71.0%
27 City-Large 188 40.0%
28 City-Large 839 $29,539 33.3%
29 City-Large 18,759 $-52 37.5%
30 City-Midsize 472 $25,465 59.4%
31 City-Small 106 100.0%
32 City-Small 6,725 $2,254 42.0%
33 City-Midsize 23,799 $20,077 36.1%
34 City-Small 9,367 $7,201 41.2%
35 City-Small 3,034 $19,113 51.0%
36 City-Midsize 2,607 $29,664 69.3%
37 City-Large 202 $10,311 100.0%
38 City-Midsize 10,357 $8,478 36.9%
39 City-Large 17,739 $2,760 32.4%
40 City-Large 19,998 $4,929 33.2%
41 City-Small 5,954 $9,027 34.0%
42 City-Large 340 $39,944 100.0%
43 City-Large 35 $24,840 50.0%
44 City-Small 532 $24,026 49.7%
45 City-Small 2,369 $27,704 57.8%
46 City-Large 2,649 $26,255 57.0%
47 City-Large 363 $19,273 44.2%
48 City-Small 225 $36,302 60.0%
49 City-Small 75 $9,433 70.4%
50 City-Small 657 $24,076 46.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Florida stand out among Florida's urban colleges?

University of Florida combines the lowest acceptance rate at 23.35% with the highest graduation rate at 91.5% among major institutions. With 34,102 students and a net price of just $6,351, it delivers strong value. Graduates earn a median of $71,588, making it highly competitive for admission but affordable once enrolled.

How do graduation rates vary across Florida's urban colleges?

Graduation rates range from 21.6% to 100% across Florida's urban colleges. Key College achieves perfect graduation with just 16 students, while larger institutions like University of Florida maintain 91.5% rates. Mid-sized schools typically graduate 50-70% of students, with career-focused programs often performing better than traditional four-year degrees.

Is nursing education expensive at Florida's urban colleges?

Nursing programs vary significantly in cost and outcomes. Galen College of Nursing charges $29,598 net price with 64.5% graduation rates, leading to $61,480 median earnings. AdventHealth University costs $31,885 but graduates only 35.6% of students, though successful graduates earn $72,282 in Orlando's healthcare market.

Does Florida's aerospace industry influence college earnings?

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University demonstrates this connection clearly. Despite the highest net price at $40,289, aerospace graduates earn $84,131 median salary. The 67.4% graduation rate reflects program difficulty, but successful graduates enter Florida's space coast aerospace industry with premium starting salaries exceeding most other fields.

What acceptance rates can students expect at Florida urban colleges?

Acceptance rates span from 23.35% at University of Florida to 81.32% at Florida Atlantic University. Most urban colleges accept 40-70% of applicants. Specialized programs like healthcare and aerospace tend toward lower acceptance rates, while larger state universities offer more accessible admission standards for qualified students.

How do small colleges perform compared to large universities in Florida?

Small colleges often achieve higher graduation rates but serve fewer students. Key College graduates 100% of its 16 students, while Taylor College maintains 61.9% rates with 216 enrolled. Large universities like University of South Florida manage 74.6% graduation rates across 36,299 students, showing economies of scale in student success.

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