Largest Universities in Florida by Enrollment
Florida's higher education landscape is dominated by a robust State University System (SUS), which comprises 12 institutions. With a combined enrollment exceeding 430,000 students, it stands as the second-largest public university system nationwide. This article will explore the largest universities within this system, focusing on enrollment figures and key aspects of each institution.
The State University System of Florida
The State University System of Florida is governed by the 17-member Board of Governors. The Board’s responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution within the System and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Florida Board of Governors was created in 2003 to centralize the administration of the State University System of Florida. From 1905 to 1965, the few universities in the system were governed by the Florida Board of Control. The Board of Regents governed until it was disbanded by the Florida Legislature in 2001, and its authority was divided between the Florida Board of Education (which was given some authority over all levels of public education in the state), and appointed university boards of trustees, which operated independently for each separate institution.
Florida has maintained its position as number one due to several factors, including on-time graduation rates, the lowest in-state tuition and fees, and the availability of higher education with minimal or no debt.
Historical Context
The establishment of universities in Florida dates back to the 19th century. In 1836, the United States Congress authorized the establishment of a University of Florida in the Florida Territory to be located on lands reserved in both East and West Florida. In 1851, the Florida legislature voted to establish two seminaries of learning: West Florida Seminary (which later became Florida State University) and East Florida Seminary (which later became the University of Florida). In 1905, when the Buckman Act reorganized higher education in Florida, the three resulting state institutions (Florida, Florida State, and Florida A&M) all adopted 1905 as their founding date. In 1935, the Florida Board of Control changed the founding dates of Florida and Florida State to the years their predecessor Seminaries opened: 1853 and 1857, respectively. In 2000, Florida State reverted to the charter date of 1851 as its founding date, which was used before 1905, reflecting the date the legislature authorized both seminaries.
Ranking by Undergraduate Enrollment
To provide a clear picture of the largest universities in Florida, it's helpful to examine their undergraduate enrollment figures. According to data, here's a ranking of Florida's national universities by undergraduate enrollment:
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- University of Central Florida - 58,749
- Florida International University - 45,442
- University of South Florida - 38,046
- University of Florida - 34,552
- Florida State University - 32,936
- Florida Atlantic University - 24,229
- Keiser University - 16,960
- University of North Florida - 14,171
- Florida Gulf Coast University - 14,137
- University of Miami - 12,504
- Southeastern University - 8,840
- Florida A&M University - 7,709
- Nova Southeastern - 6,971
- St. Thomas University - 3,980
- Florida Institute of Technology - 3,374
It's important to note that these figures, often cited in publications like U.S. News & World Report, typically exclude state colleges, smaller regional universities, and graduate students from their counts.
Spotlight on the Largest Universities
Let's take a closer look at the universities with the highest enrollment figures in Florida:
University of Central Florida (UCF)
Located in Orlando, the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands as the largest university in Florida and one of the largest in the United States by enrollment. UCF’s main campus is 13 miles east of downtown Orlando and adjacent to one of the top research parks in the nation. With more than 70,000 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 $2 billion. UCF researchers received $237.4 million in fiscal year 2025 for funded research. The university offers 112 bachelor’s, 98 master’s, 34 research doctorates, 3 professional doctorates and 3 specialist degree programs, and it leads all universities in Florida in conferring more than 18,000 degrees a year. Degrees Conferred (as of Aug. UCF is the largest university by enrollment in Florida with 70,674 students, including 60,083 undergraduates, 10,120 graduate students and 471 M.D. The campus spans around 1,400 acres, which offers various recreational and academic facilities. UCF is well-known for its engineering and computer science programs.
Florida International University (FIU)
Florida International University (FIU), located in Miami, is another giant in Florida's higher education system. FIU has a total enrollment of over 58,000 students. Their main campus, Modesto A. Maidique, covers 344 acres, while the Biscayne Bay campus spans 200 acres. FIU is recognized for its strong programs in business, hospitality, and the sciences.
University of Florida (UF)
The University of Florida (UF), situated in Gainesville, boasts a substantial enrollment as well. UF has an enrollment of around 52,000 students. The campus covers more than 2,000 acres and is home to various academic and research facilities.
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Factors Contributing to Enrollment Growth
Florida’s universities have been rising in reputation in recent years. They’ve been doing something else, too: growing and growing. They’ve expanded so much in recent decades that three now rank in the Top 10 nationwide.
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