Best colleges in Tampa

Umbrellas Are for Sun, Not Rain

The bright and sunny future of Tampa college students

Florida is home to so much more than retirees and Disney World. Tampa in particular plays host to 25 different colleges, educating over 75,000 full and part-time students. If you love the idea of a lively social life and plenty of beach time while also putting in some serious study hours, Tampa is the place to be.

When it comes to playtime in Tampa, it's all about the sand and surf. Beaches, sunshine-inspired shops, restaurants and activities await you. Tampa Theatre was recently rated among the Top 10 best movie theaters in the world, sharing the honor with just one other venue in the United States. The city is also home to Shooters World, a premier indoor shooting gallery and one of the largest gun stores in the nation. of course, there are plenty of incredible restaurants, museums and night clubs downtown for when you're done relaxing on the beach and want to unwind before final exams. Tampa provides the ideal combination of inviting excursions and quality academia, making it a winning choice for those with Florida on the mind.

Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*Motion Picture Association of America, 2014 *www.tampagov.net *Wikipedia, "Colleges and Universities in Florida"

Best Four Year Universities in Tampa

Located in Tampa, Florida the University of South Florida, or USF, is a public institution that was founded in 1956. The total undergraduate enrollment for the class of 2021 was just under 50,000, making it one of the largest schools in the state. USF is in an urban setting on a campus that takes up over 1,600 acres with over 200 academic buildings that host classes, labs, and administrative offices. Students at USF take classes on a semester-based academic calendar, and tuition for in-state students is roughly a third of the cost that out-of-state students pay, making it a very attractive option for Florida residents. USF offers large undergraduate classes and provides a range of benefits to student veterans, an important aspect of school for former military members that are interested in getting a degree. 

USF students enjoy an array of on-campus activities including outdoor pools, over 100 student clubs, and a tropical campus with palms, idyllic brick walkways, and hanging Spanish moss. The university operates on an annual budget of over $2 billion and an endowment of approximately $690 million, making it one of the wealthiest schools in the state. USF honors its founding principles with the school crest, which symbolizes life, learning, broadened perspectives, and truth. 

Students at USF have a range of academic and career paths to explore, including over 80 bachelor’s and 100 master’s programs. Some top colleges within USF include the Morsani College of Medicine, the Muma College of Business, and the Patel College of Global Sustainability. Notable alumni include wrestler Hulk Hogan, baseball coach Tony La Russa, and news correspondent Kerry Sanders.

Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College offers 56 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 413 students graduated with students earning 413 Bachelor's degrees.

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The University of Tampa offers 84 degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 2,487 students graduated with students earning 2,050 Bachelor's degrees, 423 Master's degrees, 10 Certificates, and 4 Doctoral degrees.

Florida College
Temple Terrace, FL

Florida College offers 27 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 202 students graduated with students earning 109 Associate's degrees, and 93 Bachelor's degrees.

Schiller International University offers 8 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 12 students graduated with students earning 10 Master's degrees, and 2 Bachelor's degrees.

Pasco-Hernando State College
New Port Richey, FL

Pasco-Hernando State College offers 97 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,566 students graduated with students earning 1,241 Associate's degrees, 189 Bachelor's degrees, and 136 Certificates.

St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College offers 166 degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 4,882 students graduated with students earning 3,664 Associate's degrees, 1,059 Bachelor's degrees, and 159 Certificates.

Strayer University-Florida offers 66 degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 331 students graduated with students earning 153 Bachelor's degrees, 87 Associate's degrees, 82 Master's degrees, and 9 Certificates.

Trinity College of Florida offers 26 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 46 students graduated with students earning 43 Bachelor's degrees, and 3 Associate's degrees.

South University-Tampa offers 36 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 281 students graduated with students earning 133 Master's degrees, 92 Bachelor's degrees, 53 Associate's degrees, and 3 Doctoral degrees.

Best Community Colleges in Tampa

ATA Career Education
Spring Hill, FL

ATA Career Education offers 11 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, four-year university in a midsize suburb. In 2023, 82 students graduated with students earning 71 Certificates, and 11 Associate's degrees.

Ultimate Medical Academy
Clearwater, FL

Ultimate Medical Academy offers 29 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2023, 8,407 students graduated with students earning 6,575 Associate's degrees, and 1,832 Certificates.

Concorde Career Institute-Tampa offers 13 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large city. In 2023, 76 students graduated with students earning 76 Associate's degrees.

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay
Saint Petersburg, FL

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay offers 3 degree programs. It's a small, private for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 574 students graduated with students earning 405 Associate's degrees, 154 Bachelor's degrees, and 15 Certificates.

Hillsborough Community College offers 156 degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 3,756 students graduated with students earning 3,445 Associate's degrees, and 311 Certificates.

List of all colleges in Tampa

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
University of South Florida Logo University of South Florida Tampa, FL
2/5
33 : 1 48,572
Eckerd College Logo Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FL
5/5
12 : 1 1,986
The University of Tampa Logo The University of Tampa Tampa, FL
5/5
23 : 1 11,054
Florida College Logo Florida College Temple Terrace, FL
4/5
16 : 1 657
National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay Logo National Aviation Academy of Tampa Bay Clearwater, FL     582