Tampa Colleges, Universities, Trade and Vocational Schools

Colleges in Tampa: Universities, Trade and Technical Schools

Located in the heart of Florida's Gulf Coast region, Tampa is home to world-class attractions such as Busch Gardens' African-themed amusement park. It also offers a bustling nightlight and restaurant scene where college students can find ample opportunities for employment or simply meet friends for a fun evening out.

Tampa can be a great place for college students to pursue higher education. The city offers everything from career and vocational schools to major colleges and universities.

Fun Facts about Trade and Technical Schools in Tampa

There are quite a few vocational colleges in and around Tampa, including Concorde Career Institute, Aparicio-Levy Technical College, Erwin Technical College and Florida Career College. Altierus Career College is one of the largest vocational colleges in Tampa. The school offers a range of academic programs, including certificate programs in medical coding and billing or pharmacy technician to associate degree programs in surgical technologies. Tampa also is home to the National Personal Training Institute for personal trainers.

Fun Facts about Tampa Colleges and Universities

Thousands of students get their educational journey underway each year at Hillsborough Community College, while others choose to enroll at the University of Tampa, a private four-year university. The college landscape in Tampa is dominated by University of South Florida, which was founded in 1956. The college's mascot, Rocky the Bull, harkens back to a long-gone time when Florida was a large cattle-raising state. USF's marching band, the Herd of Thunder, still opens every football game by stampeding the field.

The University of Tampa is the oldest of all colleges in Tampa. It was founded in 1933 as a junior college. The university offers more than 200 academic programs — business administration and criminology are two of the most popular programs at the university.

Other four-year universities in Tampa include Florida College and Strayer University.

Graduate Schools in Tampa

There are eight Tampa colleges in and around the greater metropolitan area where students can earn advanced degrees. Each year, more than 10,000 students pursue master's or doctoral degrees through University of South Florida. Biomedical sciences, business administration, computer systems analysis and public health are among the college's most popular graduate degree programs.

Students researching additional information about postsecondary education in the state can view the list of Florida colleges.

Sources:

• Programs, Altierus Career College, https://www.altierus.edu/campus/tampa, accessed September 2018
• Traditions, University of South Florida, https://www.usf.edu/about-usf/traditions.aspx, accessed September 2018
• History, University of Tampa, http://www.ut.edu/history/, accessed September 2018
• Programs, University of Tampa, College Navigator, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=FL&zc=33602&zd=15&of=3&l=93&id=137847#programs, accessed September 2018
• University of South Florida, College Navigator, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=FL&zc=33602&zd=15&of=3&l=94&id=137351#programs, accessed September 2018