In today's knowledge-based economy, Florida's institutions of higher learning play a critical role in the formation of its most important ingredient — human capital.
Robust Higher Education Network: Florida is home to 11 state universities, four major medical schools and two upcoming ones, and numerous private colleges and universities (map). Many of them are renowned academic institutions in the United States and abroad.
Florida's universities and colleges not only produce some of the world’s most talented, highly skilled professionals, but also rank among the nation's top performers of research & development (R&D) and play a vital role in commercializing key advanced technologies. In 2008, Florida universities performed more than $1.6 billion in sponsored research, working closely with business and industry to create cutting-edge technology. These educational institutions also work closely with the business community to build programs that reflect the needs of Florida’s workforce.
Superior Community and State Colleges: Positions requiring an Associate’s degree are among the fastest growing nationally. Florida is well equipped to meet this increasing business need, with a network of 44 technical institutions, and 28 community and state colleges (with 52 community college campuses and 173 college sites).
Working closely with the business community, Florida's technical institutions and community colleges are continuously introducing new and expanded curricula in tune with the needs of the modern economy.
Florida ranks 4th in the nation in total community college enrollment, with over 500,000 students enrolled in a given year. Many of them are enrolled in information technology, life sciences, aviation & aerospace and other high tech industry programs to earn associate in science degrees and college credit certifications.
Florida's community college system accounts for almost one in 10 of the degrees conferred in the United States each year, ranking second in the nation. In fact, nine of the top 20 producers of associate degrees in the nation are Florida community colleges. 41,000 associate degrees and over 20,000 technical certificates are awarded to Florida residents each year.
Read about some of the successful programs developed in Florida's education system here.
Strategic Focus on Excellence: To ensure that its workforce pipeline is ready to compete in the Innovation Economy of the 21st century, Florida has put in place strategic initiatives such the 21st Century Technology, Research, and Scholarship Enhancement Act. The Act provides $100 million in funding to Centers of Excellence at public universities, a World Class Scholars Program, university research, and construction of new science and engineering facilities.
To learn more about about Florida's institutions of higher learning, please visit this directory of universities and colleges.