The University of Florida is the best computer science school in the state. But it’s far from the only school in Florida that provides CS students with a quality education and valuable job connections. Here are eight options you can’t go wrong with.
Table of Contents
- Why Study Computer Science in College?
- What Jobs Can a Computer Science Major Get?
- What GPA and SAT/ACT Scores Do I Need to Major in Computer Science?
- What Are the Best Computer Science Schools in Florida?
- The Bottom Line on the Best Computer Science Schools in Florida
Computer science is a hot field, and Florida is the hottest place right now to study it, figuratively and literally. The global pandemic has seen a mass migration of high-tech jobs to Florida. From Miami to the Panhandle, I.T. companies are putting down roots and mining the state for talent. The jobs being offered are high-skill and high-paying. The easiest way into these jobs with no experience is to have a computer science degree from a top university. A degree from a Florida university gives you an even bigger edge since your professors and the career services office can help you network with companies in the state.
If you graduate from one of the best computer science schools in Florida, you can pretty much write your ticket. That doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon, regardless of the economic ups or downs that might come our way. High-tech jobs are expected to grow rapidly through at least 2030. There has never been a better a time to study computer science, especially in Florida
Why Study Computer Science in College?
There are many good reasons to study computer science in college. Here are a few:
- It’s fun. If you like messing with computers and writing code, a computer science job literally allows you to get paid to practice your hobby every day.
- It pays well. The average base salary out of college for a computer science graduate is $87,000. That’s substantially higher than the average range for all college graduates, which is $50,000 to $60,000.
- Jobs are plentiful. As the world becomes more high tech, the demand for workers with high-tech skills keeps growing.
- You can work anywhere. A high percentage of computer science jobs are remote, particularly in fields like software development. Just because you want to live in Florida doesn’t mean you’re limited to pursuing jobs with Florida companies.
- You might invent the next world-changing technology. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg were once normal teenagers with an interest in computers.
What Jobs Can a Computer Science Major Get?
Computer science is a versatile field. You can apply the skills you gain to a number of jobs depending on your interest. Popular jobs for computer science majors include:
- Software engineer
- Web developer
- IT director
- Computer engineer
- Database administrator
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Technical business analyst
What GPA and SAT/ACT Scores Do I Need to Major in Computer Science?
The admissions requirements for computer science majors depend on the selectivity of the school. Some computer science schools like MIT require almost perfect high school grades and test scores. And then some are practically open admission.
Some universities require you to apply for admission as a computer science major. One out-of-state example is the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school as a whole has over a 60% acceptance rate, but its computer science acceptance rate is less than 10%. And they don’t make it easy to get in through the back door by changing majors to CS once you’re in. Fortunately, most schools in Florida don’t do this. But it’s something to be aware of.
If you’re not 100% sure you want to major in computer science, you should lean toward colleges that don’t require you to list a major on your application. Once you get accepted, you can freely declare computer science as your major and don’t have to fight for a spot.
What Are the Best Computer Science Schools in Florida?
We analyzed the best computer science schools in Florida based on rankings, graduation rates, freshman retention rates, and connections to local job markets. When we completed our review, eight schools stood above the rest.
1. University of Florida
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 31%
- Graduation Rate: 89%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 97%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1290-1460
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 29-33
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #48
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #28
The University of Florida is the flagship school of Florida and the most prestigious university in the state. As new residents stream into Florida, UF has become more selective than ever. It now ranks on the same tier nationally as elite public universities such as UCLA, UC-Berkeley, University of Michigan, and University of Virginia.
UF is also the top-rated computer science school in Florida according to U.S. News, coming in at #48. Its graduates can choose from several hot job markets in the state, including Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. They have plenty of out-of-state options too, as all the big tech giants — Google, Facebook, and Amazon, to name a few — recruit at UF.
2. University of Central Florida
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 45%
- Graduation Rate: 72%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 90%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1160-1340
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 25-30
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #69
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #148
The University of Central Florida is a good computer science school in Florida if you like a campus that’s new and shiny and growing like crazy. The school just keeps expanding and adding new students, professors, academic buildings, dorms, and departments. Its computer science department in particular has shot up in the rankings over the last decade.
We put UCF ahead of Florida State for two main reasons. One, it’s ranked higher for CS in U.S. News, which, love or hate the publication, employers pay attention to it. And two, its location in Orlando funnels you right into one of the hottest tech job markets in the Southeast.
3. Florida State University
- Location: Tallahassee, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 32%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 93%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1220-1350
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 27-31
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #82
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #55
Florida State University is the state of Florida’s other flagship campus, along with UF. Its acceptance rate has plummeted in the 21st century as college students have flocked to Florida. Compared to UCF’s location in Orlando, FSU’s Tallahassee location isn’t quite as advantageous for internships and networking. But Florida State has a fantastic reputation as a quality public university, and that reputation increases every year. As a bonus, if you like football and fun, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better school than FSU in or out of Florida.
4. University of South Florida
- Location: Tampa, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 49%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 91%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1160-1320
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 25-30
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #106
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #103
University of South Florida is our pick for the most underrated school in Florida. It has a beautiful campus, stellar academic departments, and a desirable location in the middle of a red-hot Tampa job market. The school is a bit misnamed, though. Tampa isn’t South Florida. It’s Central Florida, or part of Florida’s Gulf Coast. True “South Florida” is on the Atlantic Coast and runs from Miami to West Palm Beach. Just thought that should be cleared up.
But, yes, USF is a fantastic choice for a CS major and offers one of the best combinations of rigorous academics and bountiful networking opportunities in Florida.
5. University of Miami
- Location: Coral Gables, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Graduation Rate: 83%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 92%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1250-1420
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 28-32
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #122 (tie)
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #55
The University of Miami — actually in Coral Gables, not Miami proper — is a prestigious private school with a low acceptance rate. It’s also located in one of the most upscale parts of Greater Miami, an area teeming with tech opportunities. The only reason its CS ranking trails so far behind its overall ranking is that the department is small. It only has a few professors, and the university lacks the high-tech facilities found at places like UF and UCF.
That said, there’s no hotter tech job market in the state — and arguably the country — than Miami. And where do those firms look first when they need young, smart, hungry tech talent? That’s right — it’s all about The U!
6. Florida International University
- Location: Miami, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 88%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1110-1260
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 23-29
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #122 (tie)
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #162
When it comes to quality computer science schools in South Florida, the University of Miami isn’t the only game in town. Less than 10 miles west is Florida International University, a state school that is growing like crazy. If you can make it into FIU’s Honors College, you’ll get to live in one of the nicest dorms in the country, Parkview Hall. It shouldn’t even be called a dorm; it’s more like a resort. And when you graduate with your CS degree, you’ll get funneled into the same blazing Miami job market as UM graduates, and you’ll have the same opportunities.
7. Florida Atlantic University
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 61%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 88%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1110-1260
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 23-29
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #146
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #277
This is pure speculation, but something tells us the computer science students at MIT and Carnegie Mellon aren’t having as much fun as the Florida Atlantic students pictured above. FAU has a beautiful location in Boca Raton, situated halfway between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. It’s also less than an hour from Miami without traffic. So, FAU students tap into the same hot job market as UM and FIU students.
FAU is a growing school in the final stages of a transition from commuter campus to residential college. Its U.S. News ranking hasn’t quite caught up to its expanding reputation in the state. But tech executives and recruiters know its computer science department is the real deal, and you’ll see them on campus plenty during hiring season in the spring.
8. Florida Institute of Technology
- Location: Melbourne, FL
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Freshman Retention Rate: 81%
- Middle 50% SAT Range: 1130-1330
- Middle 50% ACT Range: 23-30
- U.S. News Computer Science Ranking: #159
- U.S. News Overall Ranking: #202
Florida Institute of Technology is a private university located in Melbourne, on Florida’s Space Coast. It’s a 30-minute drive from Cape Canaveral. If you want to use your computer science degree to start a career in the space industry, FIT is an ideal place to begin. With only 3,500 undergraduate students, FIT offers the most intimate learning environment of any school on our list. If you prefer to form close relationships with your professors and advisors, this school is worth a look.
The Bottom Line on the Best Computer Science Schools in Florida
Even though we ranked this list based on a few quantifiable metrics, there’s really no “best” computer science school in Florida. It depends on you, your goals, and what kind of campus environment you want. The best school for you might not be the best school for the guy or girl you faced in the coding challenge the other weekend. If you want to live in Florida, though, this list gives you eight good places to start looking. One of them is sure to be right for you.
