5 Best Colleges and Universities Near Clearwater, FL

Clearwater, Florida is just as beautiful as it sounds. Thirty-five miles of beaches, plenty of sunshine, and year-round warm weather to enjoy.

If the beaches aren't your thing, you can take advantage of fantastic attractions like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center.

There are also plenty of great schools in the area if you want to further your education. Read on to learn about all of the great colleges near Clearwater, Florida.

Featured Colleges in Clearwater, FL

If you're interested in attending a school in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area, take a look at these colleges near Clearwater, Florida.

1. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida but has a campus in Clearwater called the Tampa Bay Regional Campus.

Programs available at this campus include a BS in Cardiovascular Sonography and master's degrees in anesthesia and clinical mental health counseling.

Doctoral programs are also offered in osteopathic medicine, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

The university has been recognized for its social mobility, diversity, private research, scholarship offerings, and college campus.

2. Keiser University

Keiser University has several universities in Florida. One of its campuses is located in Clearwater, not far from the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport.

Programs available to Keiser University students include bachelor's degrees in criminal justice, sports management, nursing, and information technology.

Graduate degrees are available in accountancy, business administration, psychology, technology management, and health science.

Keiser University has been ranked the top school in the country for social mobility. It's also been recognized for its service to Hispanic students.

3. University of South Florida

At the University of South Florida, students have access to dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs.

Bachelor's degrees are available in aging sciences, music studies, women's and gender studies, management, finance, and more.

Students can also choose from graduate degrees in English, public health, statistics, supply chain management, criminology, and audiology.

The university is based in Tampa, Florida, about 20 minutes from Clearwater.

Its accolades include high rankings among public universities in Florida and nationwide.

4. Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University, located about 55 miles from Clearwater in Saint Leo, Florida, offers the Tampa Education Center campus for Tampa residents.

Students can access more than 60 majors and minors in areas of study that include business, information technology, and the health professions.

Human resource management, sports business, business administration, and computer science are just a few undergraduate and graduate degree options.

Attendees can benefit from a school ranked among the best in the nation for social mobility.

5. New College of Florida

New College of Florida is recognized nationwide for being a top public liberal arts college, best value public college, and best college/university in the U.S.

The school has also earned high marks for social mobility, financial aid, alumni networks, and its coastal campus.

Located in Sarasota, Florida, New College of Florida is about 60 miles from Clearwater.

Undergraduate programs include literature, marine biology, political science, and biopsychology.

The university also offers a master's degree in applied data science.

Other Great Colleges Near Clearwater, Florida

Interested in additional colleges near Clearwater, Florida? Take a look at schools located a bit further away.

Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University has been ranked among the best regional universities, best value universities, and most innovative schools in the South.

It has also been recognized for its superior online learning opportunities.

Students attending the university have access to nearly 100 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral programs.

Areas of study include biotechnology, marine science, civil engineering, forensic studies, entrepreneurship, and social work.

The school is about 130 miles from Clearwater in Fort Myers, Florida.

Bethune-Cookman University

Daytona Beach, Florida, located about 175 miles from Clearwater, is the home of Bethune-Cookman University.

With more than 40 degrees to choose from, students can enter programs within the arts and humanities, business and entrepreneurship, or nursing and health sciences.

Programs are also available in science, engineering, and mathematics.

The school has been recognized as one of the top historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

It also has a top undergraduate engineering program and is highly ranked for social mobility.

Flagler College

Flagler College is home to dozens of undergraduate degree programs in areas of study like mathematics, psychology, Spanish, theatre arts, and international business.

Graduate degrees are also available for students interested in deaf education and public administration.

The college has been recognized as one of the best regional colleges in the South and is a best-value college in the region.

St. Augustine, Florida, which is home to Flagler College, is about 200 miles from Clearwater.

Edward Waters University

Edward Waters University is the state's first independent institution of higher learning and the first institution established to educate African Americans.

The university delivers undergraduate and graduate degrees in areas of study like forensic science, education policy and advocacy, public administration, and nursing.

Some of the school's accolades include being ranked among the best regional colleges in the South and being a top performer in social mobility.

The school is located in Jacksonville, Florida, about 220 miles from Clearwater.

University of North Florida

The University of North Florida, also located in Jacksonville, offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree options.

Bachelor's programs include accounting, physics, computer science, mechanical engineering, and psychology.

Graduate programs focus on health informatics, logistics and supply chain management, communication management, electrical engineering, and more.

The university has been ranked among the best national universities and best graduate schools.

It has also been recognized for its online master's degrees, business programs, and online accelerated RN-to-BSN program.

What Is the Biggest School Near Clearwater, Florida?

There are several large colleges near Clearwater, Florida. One of the largest is right in the city.

Nova Southeastern University has a total enrollment of more than 22,000. Keiser University also has a large total enrollment of 13,000 students.

Schools further away from Clearwater with large enrollments include the University of North Florida and Florida Gulf Coast University.

The former has a student population of about 17,000, and the latter has more than 16,000 students.

How To Choose the Right College Near Clearwater, Florida

If you're not sure which of these great colleges near Clearwater, Florida is right for you, it's good to make several considerations.

Start by checking degree options at various schools. Which ones offer your chosen program? Finding these schools can help narrow down your list.

Tuition is another factor to consider when picking your school.

While you don't have to go with the cheapest college, it's best to ensure you can afford tuition or have financial aid options lined up.

You'll also want to make sure you're comfortable with the campus and faculty members in your department. The best way to know is the visit the campus.

Transportation also matters, so make sure you can easily commute to campus every day at your chosen school (if you don't plan to live on campus) so you're not late to class.

Paying for Your Degree Near Clearwater, Florida

Paying for a degree can be challenging for students who are unable to cover tuition and other school costs out of pocket.

Fortunately, there are other options to consider.

For instance, you can apply for scholarships from private businesses, local organizations, and your school of choice to significantly reduce costs.

Another option is to apply for financial aid. Grants like Pell and FSEOG offer funds that don't have to be repaid.

Student loans can also lower tuition costs but require repayment.

If you're an active military member or veteran, consider the GI Bill as well as federal grants, scholarships, and tuition reduction programs specific to the military.

Also, look into a tuition reimbursement program from your employer if you're a working student.

Start Your Degree Near Clearwater, Florida Today

If you're ready to enter a new career or take your current one to new heights, earning a degree is a great way to start.

Explore colleges near Clearwater, Florida today to find the right program.