Are you looking for the easiest colleges to get into in Florida? Getting admission into a college can be a tough and competitive process. In fact, 62.7 percent of high school graduates enrolled in a college program in 2020. Acceptance rates vary widely from school to school, some accept nearly 100 percent of applicants, while others accept less than five percent.
Even if you meet the requirements for admission, it can be difficult to stand out from the seas of applicants. Fortunately, this isn’t the case for every school. Some schools have simple admission requirements and high acceptance rates. This article looks at the colleges with high acceptance rates in Florida.
What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Florida?
The easiest colleges to get into in Florida are Broward College, Indian River State College, Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale, College of Central Florida, and Herzing University – Orlando. These universities focus less on past academic performance and more on providing quality education to all students. They are an ideal option for students who have low GPAs and test scores.
Colleges in Florida With Open Admissions
Open admission is a non-selective admission policy that admits all students who have a high school diploma or a GED. This means that you can get into college even if you got bad grades in high school. Many of these colleges have two-year associate degree programs where you can build a stronger profile and get into a more selective school after graduating with your associate degree.
Open Admissions Colleges in Florida
- Broward College
- Chipola College
- College of Central Florida
- Daytona State College
- Eastern Florida State College
Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in Florida?
Yes, there are good universities in Florida with high acceptance rates. A high acceptance rate reflects the school’s admissions policy and shows that the university accepts a higher percentage of applicants. The acceptance rate has nothing to do with the quality of education that these schools offer.
Common Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Florida
The common admissions requirements for colleges are an application and supporting documents that give more information about your background. Admissions requirements vary from school to school, but these are some of the most common requirements:
- High School Diploma or GED. Applicants seeking admission into colleges with high acceptance rates will need to submit an official transcript from their high school or GED program.
- Standardized Test Scores. Some schools use standardized tests to determine which college classes students should take. For most schools with high acceptance rates, SAT or ACT scores are optional and you can take a placement exam offered by the school instead. International students will need to take English proficiency exams such as TOEFL or IELTS.
- Application Fee. Depending on the school, you may need to pay a non-refundable application fee. Application fees can usually be waived if you meet certain conditions. Contact the admissions department to see if you can get a fee waiver.
- Florida or Non-Florida Residency Declaration Form. You will have to submit a residency document to establish your status as an in-state or out-of-state student. Florida residents usually have lower tuition rates than out-of-state students.
- Letter of Recommendation. Some schools request that students submit letters of recommendation from a high school counselor, teacher, or mentor.
- Personal Statement. Some high acceptance rates schools require that students submit a personal essay or statement during this application process. An essay allows students to demonstrate why they would be a good fit for the program. It also provides insight into the student’s background.
The Best Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Florida
School | Acceptance Rate | Tuition |
---|---|---|
Broward College | 100% | $2,830 (in-state); $8,952 (out-of-state) |
Chipola College | 100% | $3,120 (in-state); $8,950 (out-of-state) |
College of Central Florida | 100% | $2,710 (in-state); $10,517 (out-of-state) |
Daytona State College | 100% | $3,106 (in-state); $11,994 (out-of-state) |
Eastern Florida State College | 100% | $2,496 (in-state); $9,739 (out-of-state) |
Indian River State College | 100% | $2,764 (in-state); $10,201 (out-of-state) |
Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale | 96% | $22,000 |
Herzing University – Orlando | 94% | $14,200 |
Palm Beach Atlantic University | 90% | $34,134 |
Lynn University | 83% | $40,900 |
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Florida: A Closer Look
It is a smart idea for aspiring students who want to study in Florida to apply to schools with a high acceptance rate. Almost every school on this list of colleges with high acceptance rates in Florida has a 100 percent acceptance rate. Here are some of the easiest colleges to get into in Florida:
Broward College
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Broward College is committed to transforming students’ lives and providing a learning-centered community of academic excellence, career opportunities, and innovation. It has a simple admission process that can be completed in a few steps and a high acceptance rate. It has an annual enrollment of more than 68,000 associate and bachelor’s degree students.
Chipola College
- Location: Marianna, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Chipola College has an open door admissions policy for all students, provided that they are 18 years or older and have a high school diploma or GED diploma. It offers academic programs for degrees in business and technology, fine and performing arts, health sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences.
College of Central Florida
- Location: Ocala, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
The College of Central Florida serves more than 10,000 students through its campuses in Ocala, Citrus, Levy, Hampton Center, and Vintage Farm. It has an easy online application process that takes roughly 15 minutes to complete. This school offers over 80 programs of study at the certificate, associate, and bachelor’s degree levels.
Daytona State College
- Location: Daytona Beach, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Daytona State College is a public university offering a wide range of affordable, high-quality academic programs. Its mission is to provide students with the skills, education, and expertise to build fulfilling careers. The Quanta-Honors College gives highly motivated students the chance to take more difficult classes with a group of peers.
Eastern Florida State College
- Location: Cocoa, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Eastern Florida State College aims to provide equal access to education for everyone regardless of age, gender, color, or race. It offers over 100 academic programs at the associate and bachelor’s degree levels. It has a high acceptance rate and a rolling admissions process. With many student clubs and athletic teams on campus, students will find plenty of things to do outside of class.
Indian River State College
- Location: Fort Pierce, FL
- Number of applicants per year: N/A
- Percent admitted: 100%
- Admissions requirements: N/A
Indian River State College is a public college with an impressive reputation for academic excellence. It offers high-quality associate and bachelor’s degrees characterized by small classes, personalized teaching, and state-of-the-art facilities. It has an open admission policy for freshman admission, as well as for returning students and adult education programs.
Keiser University – Fort Lauderdale
- Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Number of applicants per year: 4,120
- Percent admitted: 96%
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or GED, subject placement tests, TOEFL
Founded in 1977, Keiser University is a large, private university with a total enrollment of around 20,000 students. It has over 100 associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in accounting, engineering, business, health care, and education. Keiser has a student-friendly admission process, and students can connect with an academic advisor for guidance.
Herzing University – Orlando
- Location: Winter Park, FL
- Number of applicants per year: 142
- Percent admitted: 94%
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or GED, subject placement tests
Herzing University ranks among the best online bachelor’s degree programs in the US, according to the US News & World Report. While the majority of its programs are online, programs such as nursing are offered in-person at the Orlando campus. The admission process at Herzing University starts with a meeting with an admission advisor, followed by a simple application.
Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Location: West Palm Beach, FL
- Number of applicants per year: 1,923
- Percent admitted: 90%
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or GED, official high school transcripts, ACT, SAT or CLT scores
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a Christian university in Florida. It offers over 50 academic programs including medicine, business, arts, media, finance, ministry, and teaching. This school has a strong Office of Career Development to help students find internships and graduates find work after graduation.
Lynn University
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Number of applicants per year: 7,194
- Percent admitted: 83%
- Admissions requirements: High school diploma or GED, personal statement, official transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, one letter of recommendation, activity resume
Lynn University provides students with the education, hands-on experience, and intellectual flexibility they need to fulfill their potential. It has around 3,400 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs. This is the most selective college on our list, and the average high school GPA for incoming freshmen in 2021 was 3.28.
Online Colleges Based in Florida That Are Easy to Get Into
Finding online Florida colleges that are easy to get into can greatly increase your chances of admission and make it easy to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees on your own schedule. Online colleges are an especially good choice for adults who want to change their career paths.
The following are the easiest online colleges based in Florida to get into:
- Nova Southeastern University. This is a private institution with campuses in many locations in Florida including Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, and Palm Beach. It has online bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degree programs and an acceptance rate of 93 percent.
- Rasmussen University – Florida. This school offers over 50 online degrees at different educational levels including certificates, diplomas, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. It provides fully online degrees that allow students to balance work, school, and other personal commitments. It has an open admission policy for incoming students.
- Full Sail University. This school provides a fast-paced, immersive learning experience with maximum flexibility. College students can get certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in different fields including business, sports, music, technology, and arts and design. Full Sail University is another Florida online college with open admissions.
- Florida Southwestern State College. This school offers online associate and bachelor’s degrees in health professions, business, and technology. Students can also take accelerated online programs with fast flex classes to learn at their own pace and graduate in a shorter time. The acceptance rate is 100 percent.
- South University – Tampa. South University offers online academic programs that are designed to offer maximum freedom to students. Students can pursue online associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, and post-graduate certificates in a wide array of academic disciplines. It also has an open admission policy, with an acceptance rate of 100 percent.
Should I Attend Community College in Florida and Then Transfer to University?
Attending community college in Florida and then transferring to a university is a great path because it costs less, offers more flexibility, and provides a seamless transition into the college lifestyle. Since it is easier to get into a community college, this is a good way for students who didn’t perform well in high school to earn a higher GPA and transfer into a larger school.
Many community colleges in Florida have articulation agreements or a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) with certain universities. This provides a direct pathway for students to transfer credits from a community college and move to a four-year program at a university. Community colleges usually only offer two-year degrees.
Easiest Community Colleges to Get Into in Florida
Just like four-year universities, community colleges have their own set of admission requirements for prospective students. However, these requirements are usually easy to meet. Here is the list of the easiest community colleges to get into in Florida.
Florida Community Colleges That Are Easy to Get Into
- Santa Fe College
- Tallahassee Community College
- Seminole State College of Florida
- Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Miami Dade College
Should I Attend a University in Florida With a High Acceptance Rate?
Yes, you should attend a university with a high acceptance rate in Florida because these schools often have lower tuition costs, more financial aid opportunities, and higher student diversity. The fact that a school has a high acceptance rate doesn’t mean it has lower academic standards. As long as you earn a degree from an accredited institution, you’ll get a good education.
Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Florida FAQ
Yes, there are colleges in Florida with a 100 percent acceptance rate. Notable examples are Broward College, Chipola College, College of Central Florida, Daytona State College, and Indian River State College. These schools have an open admissions process, which means they accept all students with a high school diploma or GED.
A minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale is required for admission to Florida colleges with a selective admissions process. Highly selective schools may have higher GPA requirements, usually somewhere around 3.0 to 3.5.
The hardest colleges to get into in Florida are the University of Miami, University of South Florida, University of Florida, Florida A&M University, and Florida Memorial University. These colleges are highly selective and have low admission rates. If you can’t get in as a freshman, try applying as a transfer student after a year or two of community college.
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If your high school record doesn’t meet the academic threshold, if you have an incomplete application, or if the number of aspiring students is much larger than the number of available spots then a college might not accept you. The more well-known a school is, the more students apply, and the harder it is to get in. This is one reason it’s so hard to get into an Ivy League school.
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