The Sunshine State offers college students more than just warm weather and world-famous beaches. It's home to many Florida colleges and universities where students can get the ball rolling on their career aspirations.
The Florida College System consists of 28 member institutions, including community colleges and state universities located in 178 sites throughout the state. It's the largest one in the state — more than 800,000 students enroll in the system each academic year. The public State University System of Florida, meanwhile, is made up of 12 state universities.
The Independent College and Universities of Florida system is comprised of 30 schools with locations at 114 sites across the state. Member colleges offer nearly 500 fully online degree and certificate programs.
Lastly, the Florida Association of Postsecondary Schools and Colleges enrolls more than 250,000 students each year in trade and technical careers.
The Florida College System's "2+2" transfer agreements with two-year colleges ensures students can easily transfer to member universities and four-year colleges in Florida. It also works with many schools in the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida system so students with associate degrees can transfer to ICUF member institutions as juniors.
Students beginning their college careers at universities in Florida can visit Florida Shines, an online hub dedicated to helping them start out on the right note. And for those who may have started with postsecondary education — but who have stopped — the state-funded Complete Florida program is designed to help Floridians complete certificate, associate or bachelor's degree programs at Florida colleges.
Students can learn more about higher education in Florida by checking with the Florida Department of Education.
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