It takes all kinds of skills and talents to keep our economy moving. In today’s competitive job market, it’s smart to be sure you have the right training for the type of career you want to pursue. After you have taken an interest inventory and career assessment, you should have a pretty clear idea of which direction you need to go for training. Don’t limit yourself to what others say you should do. But be realistic and do your research.

	STATE UNIVERSITIES	PRIVATE COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES	STATE & COMMUNITY COLLEGES	CAREER TECHNICAL & TRADE SCHOOLS
Size	• 12 universities • Enrollments vary from fewer than 1,000 students to more than 50,000.	• 31 private, independent, nonprofit schools • Approximately 900 private, for-profit schools • Enrollments vary from 200 to nearly 29,000.	• 28 colleges, with 66 campuses and classes at more than 181 additional sites • Enrollments vary from 1,000 to more than 60,000.	• Programs are offered at all 28 schools in the Florida College System, 48 technical centers and at hundreds of private schools.
Degrees Offered	• Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees	• Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, depending on particular school	• Associate and bachelor’s degrees at state colleges	• Nationally recognized industry certifications • Occupational certificates
Admission Requirements	• Completion of “college prep” curriculum in high school or high school equivalency diploma • Other requirements may include SAT or ACT scores, essay, recommendation letters.	• Vary by school	• Standard high school diploma, high school equivalency diploma or demonstrated readiness for college coursework AND • Other requirements established by the Division of Florida Colleges.	• Most schools have an open admission policy.
Estimated Costs*	• $202 per credit hour, or $6,069 for a 30-credit year	• Can vary greatly with annual tuition/fees ranging from $10,000 to $40,000.Check individual schools for specific figures.	• $103 per credit hour or $3,090 for a 30-credit year	• Averages $2.78 per clock hour, or $3,336 for a 1,200-hour program in a Florida District Technical Center • Private schools vary.
Consider if...	• You’re seeking a four-year degree in a relatively large campus setting.	• You’re seeking a four-year degree in a smaller and/or unique setting, or a school with a special focus.	• You want to earn an associate degree, or you’re looking to save some money while earning a four-year degree.	• You want to focus on a specific program with training that involves hands-on learning experiences.
*Source: www.flvc.org. Estimates based on average tuition and required fees for in-state students and do not include books, housing, transportation or other living expenses.

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See our list of Florida schools and talk with an admissions counselor to learn more about options available to you.