Best STEM Colleges in Florida

Florida is known for sunshine, beaches, and the occasional hurricane or two. However, the colleges in Florida are also major hubs of research activity in various STEM fields, including aerospace, astronomy, agriculture, environmental sciences, health sciences, and marine biology.

Many Florida colleges offer STEM programs. You can find several STEM colleges with financial aid to reduce tuition costs. Keep reading to discover the best STEM colleges in Florida.

Top STEM Colleges in Florida

Many colleges and universities in Florida offer STEM degrees both on-campus and online. We've featured some of the best STEM colleges below.

1. University of Florida (UF)

The University of Florida is a public research university in Gainesville, Florida. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in a variety of STEM fields, including:

• aerospace engineering
• computer science
• entomology and nematology
• marine sciences

UF is home to the country's largest citrus research center but also conducts research in many fields, including healthcare and astronomy. It's also the top engineering school in Florida according to U.S. World and News Report.

2. Florida State University (FSU)

Florida State University is a public research university in Tallahassee, Florida. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in several areas of STEM, including:

• biomedical engineering
• computational science
• environmental chemistry
• food and nutrition science

FSU manages the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, which is used for biology, chemistry, engineering, materials science, and physics research. It also runs the High-Performance Materials Institute and the Coastal and Marine Laboratory, among others.

3. University of Miami (UM)

The University of Miami is a private research university in Coral Gables, Florida. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through 12 colleges and schools, including STEM majors like:

• computer science
• ecosystem science and policy
• electrical engineering
• meteorology

The university is home to one of the nation's largest centralized academic cyberinfrastructures. It hosts numerous STEM research facilities, including the John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics and the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.

4. University of South Florida (USF)

The University of South Florida is a public research university based in Tampa, Florida. It offers STEM degrees in fields such as:

• biomedical engineering
• geography and geographic information systems
• information technology
• public health

USF offers these programs on campus, as well as a handful of affordable online STEM degrees. The university conducts research into a variety of STEM areas, including health, sustainability, and physics.

5. Florida International University (FIU)

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university in University Park, Florida. It offers numerous STEM degree programs on campus and online, such as:

• computer science
• electrical engineering
• forensic science
• materials science and engineering

Many of the university's STEM programs are available online, and with the right financial aid, students may qualify for free online STEM degrees at FIU. Multiple STEM research programs are available at FIU, including through the university's International Hurricane Research Center.

6. University of Central Florida (UCF)

The University of Central Florida is a public research university in Orlando, Florida. It offers undergrad and grad programs in STEM fields that include:

• aerospace engineering
• information technology
• mathematics
• molecular and cell biology

UCF is another top school for engineering majors in Florida. It runs the Central Florida Research Park, one of the largest research parks in the country, as well as the Florida Space Institute.

7. Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

Florida Atlantic University is a public research university in Boca Raton, Florida. It offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in STEM areas like:

• computer science
• electrical engineering
• neuroscience and behavior
• ocean engineering

The university does extensive work in several STEM fields, including ocean engineering, marine biotechnology, imaging technology, and renewable energy. The campus also boasts its own research park.

8. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU)

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private university based in Daytona Beach, Florida. It's primarily focused on aviation and aerospace programs, with degrees in fields such as:

• aerospace engineering
• astronomy and astrophysics
• aviation and aerospace sustainability
• computational mathematics

The university offers some of the country's best online STEM degrees through its Worldwide campus. It has an additional physical campus in Prescott, Arizona.

9. University of North Florida (UNF)

The University of North Florida is a public research university in Jacksonville, Florida. It includes programs in fields of STEM like:

• civil engineering
• environmental science
• health science
• information technology

UNF is well-known in particular for its coastal biology program, offered by its College of Arts and Sciences. Other STEM degrees come from the Brooks College of Health, the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction, and the university's graduate school.

10. University of Tampa

The University of Tampa is a private university in Tampa, Florida. It offers STEM degrees in areas of study such as:

• computer science
• exercise and nutrition science
• marine science
• mathematical programming

The university offers STEM programs primarily through its College of Social Sciences, Mathematics, and Education and its College of Natural and Health Sciences. It also provides military science majors through its ROTC programs.

11. Florida Polytechnic University

Florida Polytechnic University is a public university in Lakeland, Florida. It focuses specifically on STEM programs, especially engineering programs, with majors like:

• civil engineering
• cybersecurity engineering
• electrical engineering
• environmental engineering

Although not categorized as a research institution, Florida Poly still conducts research through its Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research Institute and Florida Poly's Advanced Mobility Institute.

12. Stetson University

Stetson University is a private university in DeLand, Florida. It offers STEM degrees in fields like:

• aquatic and marine biology
• computer science
• environmental science
• mathematics

While this university doesn't offer engineering degrees, students in other STEM fields may appreciate Stetson's small class sizes, vast campus, and historical buildings.

13. Rollins College

Rollins College is a private liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida. It primarily offers bachelor's degrees, but also a few master's degrees.

STEM degrees at Rollins include a strong foundation in the liberal arts to create well-rounded curriculums. The university offers STEM programs such as:

• biochemistry and molecular biology
• computer science
• marine biology
• public health

14. University of West Florida (UWF)

The University of West Florida is a public university in Pensacola, Florida. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in STEM fields like:

• environmental science
• information technology
• mechanical engineering
• software development

UWF is a designated space-grant institution. It also offers many research opportunities for both undergrad and grad students.

15. Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU)

Florida Gulf Coast University is a public university in Fort Meyers, Florida. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in STEM areas such as:

• analytics and informatics
• bioengineering
• computer information systems
• marine science

FGCU hosts various research institutions, including the Biotechnology Research Group, the Coastal Watershed Institute, and the Whitaker Center for Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education.

FAQs About STEM Colleges in Florida

Below, we've answered some frequently asked questions about STEM colleges in Florida.

What Are the Top STEM Industries in Florida?

According to the most recent data published by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, the top STEM industries in Florida are:

• computer and mathematics occupations
• healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
• architecture and engineering occupations
• business and financial operations occupations

What Are Some Good Engineering Schools in Florida?

U.S. News and World Report lists several Florida institutions on its Best Engineering Schools list, including:

• University of Florida
• University of Central Florida
• Florida A&M
• Florida International University
• University of South Florida

What Is the Best STEM College in Florida?

STEM is a broad field, and the best STEM college depends on the specific area you want to study. Overall, the University of Florida offers the largest variety of STEM programs, but other institutions may be better for specific facets of STEM.