Best Community Colleges in Florida of 2023

Florida Panhandle Technical College boasts 30+ programs and focuses on career and technical training. Their goal is to ensure that the Florida Panhandle has a vibrant and educated workforce to support a booming economy. Beyond certificates and degrees in healthcare and community services, FPTC offers tracks to study digital media and video, network admin, and applied IT. Many programs take less than a year to complete, and most students are eligible for grants and financial aid. Some advanced programs have prerequisites, but everything you need is offered at FPTC. The course offerings are broad but focused on helping students gain desirable skills and be prepared for high-demand jobs.

Pinellas Tech stands out in Florida as the leader in providing career and technical education through distance learning. The skilled faculty is experienced in delivering remote instruction, and students graduate with a foundation that has prepared them to join the job market. PTC’s culinary, nursing, dental assisting, pharmacy tech, and cosmetology programs are all accredited through professional licensing agencies. The administration works with industry leaders to ensure that courses teach essential skills. The online learning program blends web-based and software-driven classes for both degree and certificate programs. Distance learning programs offer the same accreditation and financial aid eligibility as traditional programs. PTC’s flexible learning options make their programs accessible.

The opportunity to gain hands-on experience while working toward a degree sets Lorenzo Walker Technical College apart. The Automotive, Cosmetology, Culinary, Digital Media, HVAC, Marine, and Network Support programs allow students to apply their skills in a community setting before graduation. With a mission of providing relevant educational experiences to prepare students for employment, the real-world practice available through LWTC ensures that their graduates are ready for a competitive job market. Their APPR apprenticeship program integrates paid work and on-the-job training, ensuring that graduates earn their Journeyman designation and are skilled in their trade. LWTC is a great school if you’re looking for a hands-on learning experience.

Emerald Coast Technical College offers sixteen programs on its main campus, and its Applied Information Technology program is based at the Watersound Campus. Students can earn industry certifications in Automotive Service, Information Technology, Architecture and Construction Technology, Manufacturing, Cosmetology, and Nursing and Health Sciences. Because the focus at ECTC is on occupational education, the programs are designed to get students into the workforce with the skills they will need for success. ECTC also has strong GED prep and ESL programs, so they’re an excellent option for students who need to strengthen their foundations before moving into a certificate program.

As the fifth largest community college in Florida, Hillsborough CC offers more than 200 academic options, including A.A. and A.S. degrees. Spread across five campuses, HCC supports students with three academic centers, a vibrant campus life, service-learning opportunities, and athletics programs. HCC can prepare students for university transfers and offer certificate programs for job seekers and those whose focus is on career expansion or transition. Besides on-campus classes, HCC offers online and distance learning classes, so advancement is available to those who cannot participate in in-person learning. HCC has all the bases covered, and options abound.

Besides Associate’s and certificate programs, Santa Fe College offers select Bachelor’s degrees, so students are able to achieve their goals affordably. Upper-level degrees are offered in Accounting, Clinical Laboratory Science, Early Childhood Education, Health Services, Industrial Biotech, Information Systems Technology, Multimedia Video Production Technology, Nursing, and Organizational Management. SFC works to keep class sizes below 30, so students can learn with personalized attention. Each track is designated by degree, transfer, or certificate, so the options are easy to navigate, and students can plan for their futures. Classes are held at flexible times, with in-person, hybrid, and distance learning options available.

Orange Technical College’s Westside Campus offers a number of certificate programs to career-minded students wanting to complete their studies affordably and get into the workforce. Students can complete their Pharmacy Tech program in ten months for less than $6K. Other programs include Medical Assisting, Veterinary Assisting, Architecture and Construction, Cosmetology, and Advanced Esthetics Most programs can be completed in less than a year, and all are designed to prepare students for in-demand career tracks. Affordability is also a factor, with most programs costing between $3,000 to $6,000. Students looking for an efficient transition from school to the workforce can find what they need.

Seminole State College offers four-year and two-year degrees, specialized career certificates, and continuing education programs. They’re a semifinalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for community college excellence, and the school consistently works to support students and provide relevant programs that prepare them for in-demand jobs. Programs include fire science/firefighting, EMT, automotive, nursing, and instructional design. Seminole State is ranked #5 for graduation rates in Florida and #11 in the U.S. for associate degrees awarded. It’s ranked among the most affordable colleges by the NCES. Seminole State also offers a number of scholarship opportunities, and the financial aid office is experienced in working with students to help ensure that college is affordable and accessible.

Manatee Technical College has several career tracks, but its Health Sciences and IT programs stand out. The options abound at Manatee, and their state-of-the-art facilities will prepare students to work with cutting-edge technologies. Most coursework can be completed in less than a year, and programs are designed to prepare students for high-demand jobs. With ten programs focused on healthcare-related fields and seven in IT, there are a number of options that lead to careers in fast-growing fields. Manatee also supports student success and organizations, including the National Honor Society and HOSA (Future Health Professionals), so students can network and connect with others in their field.

Offering bachelor’s and associate’s degrees, occupational certificates, and adult education, Florida Gateway College is a small school with many options. The student body is around 6,000 each year, and there are four B.S. tracks, twenty associate degree programs, and a host of certificate programs. FGC keeps class sizes small, and students can learn in a personalized environment with lots of support. FGC also offers resources to support their students as they join the workforce — the career services office is staffed with career coaches and works to connect current students with alum mentors. FGC is affordable, but they recognize that many students need additional resources to access college. Scholarships are available, and a fully staffed financial aid office.