1. University of Miami (Coral Gables)

With its campus only a few miles away from Palmetto, this private University accepts an average 3.5 weighted GPA and 1350 SAT (reading and math). Of the 2,012 freshman students enrolled in 2014, 730 were Florida residents. Tuition is roughly $43,000 to attend (not including room and board). The Princeton Review rated The University of Miami 47^th in the nation. University of Miami is considered a research institution with organizations such as the Sylvester Cancer Center. Not only does this University excel in academics, but they are a Division 1 school.

2. University of Florida (Gainesville)

University of Florida, or better known as “The Swamp”, is known for outstanding academics and athletics. Their Division 1 football team won the National Championship in 2008. With a very competitive admissions process, this public University accepts an average 4.1-4.5 weighted GPA and an average 1810-2060 SAT score (reading, math, and writing). The University of Florida is ranked 49^th nationally. Students come from all 50 states and 131 different countries, while 95 percent of students come from Florida. The most popular majors of this University are Business and Social Sciences.

3. Florida State University (Tallahassee)

Also well known for their Division 1 football team, Florida State University is ranked 91^st in the nation and 3rd in Florida. Despite its “party school” reputation, Florida State has the 45th best law school in the nation. This public university accepts an average weighted GPA of 3.8-4.3 and an average SAT score of 1760-1960 (reading, math, and writing). Only eight percent of its students are out-of-state students. The most popular majors are English Language and Literature, Psychology.

4. University of Central Florida (Orlando)

University of Central Florida, a public university, is one of the largest schools in the United States with approximately 58,000 students, with only five percent coming from out of state. It is ranked 170th in the country and accepts an average 3.8 weighted GPA and an average 1730-1920 SAT score (reading, math, and writing). Their Rosen College of Hospitality Management is ranked 9^th in the nation. This school of Hospitality Management is a bachelor’s-degree program that specializes in theme-park-and-attraction management and golf-and-club management. Not only does this university excel in academics, but they are a Division 1 school in athletics. Two of the most popular majors are Psychology and Biology.

5. Florida International University (Miami)

Florida International University is the 7^th largest public university in the United States, with more than 200 masters and doctoral programs. Their Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, although founded in 2006, is ranked 78th in the nation. The most popular majors are Marketing and Psychology. The great majority of their students are in-state students, with only three percent of the student population from other states. This public university accepts an average 3.3 weighted GPA and an average 1530 SAT score (reading, math, and writing). Florida International University is also a Division 1 school in athletics.

6. University of South Florida (Tampa)

The University of South Florida is home to nearly 48,000 students. The university also has two other separately accredited schools, USF at St. Petersburg and USF Sarastoa-Manatee. University of South Florida accepts an average 3.5-4.2 weighted GPA and an average 1120-1280 SAT score (reading and math). Eight percent of its student population comes from out of state. The most popular majors are Finance and Criminology. The University of South Florida also excels in Division 1 athletics.

7.University of North Florida (Jacksonville)

The University of North Florida is ranked 10^th nationally for short-term study-abroad programs, and the Princeton Review ranked this university a best-value college. Although they received this recognition, only two percent of students come from out of state. They accept an average of 3.94 weighted GPA and an average 1215 (reading, writing and math) SAT score. The University of North Florida has a total undergraduate enrollment of 14,263, and its most popular majors are Business Management and Marketing.

Graphics by Grant Gassman