Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela. Education is the first step for people to gain the knowledge, critical thinking, empowerment, and skills they need to make this world a better place.
Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, the most populous city in the state, and is the largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020.
As of 2020, Jacksonville’s population is 949,611, making it the 12th most populous city in the U.S., the most populous city in the Southeast, and the most populous city in the South outside of the state of Texas.
Have you been wondering what the best colleges in Jacksonville are and why you should attend them?
In this article, we have answered these, including the cost of attending the best colleges in Jacksonville, scholarship opportunities, and even frequently asked questions. Keep reading.
Table of contents
Why Study In The Best Colleges In Jacksonville?
There are several reasons you should consider studying in Jacksonville.
Some of them are:
- The best colleges in Jacksonville have reasonable tuition rates. Tuition rates are relatively low because Florida has a relatively low cost of living, which means your dollars will go further. Florida college students also have the sixth-lowest amount of college debt at graduation, which only makes sense when tuition is among the lowest of all states.
- Attending the best colleges in Jacksonville would make you part of a growing job market. Both Tampa and Orlando are in the top 20 on WalletHub’s latest list of the best places to find a job; and the Palm Bay, Melbourne and Titusville metropolitan area, known as the Space Coast, was ranked eighth on Nerd wallet’s recent list of best places to find STEM jobs as well. Florida is also home to the High Tech Corridor, a network of 23 counties that offer high concentrations of tech jobs to those who pursue them.
- The best colleges in Jacksonville give opportunities for internships. Going to college in Florida doesn’t necessarily mean you will end up working there. Still, you may get an internship at a nearby company or organization, which is often the first step to getting a job or one connected to it. Internships are plentiful at Florida
colleges, and students can use the connections they make during internships to go after jobs in the area. - The best colleges in Jacksonville offers quality graduate programs. You can get bachelor’s degree in courses like engineering, medicine, business, and law. Some of the programs featured are on-campus, intensive, while others can be pursued on evenings, weekends, or even online to facilitate those working full time.
- In the best colleges in Jacksonville, there is a feeling of community. In these colleges, you can develop close relationships with faculty members and fellow students. Class sizes are usually kept small to foster these ties to the school and the wider community, and the relationships developed help students grow academically and personally.
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Cost of Studying in the Best Colleges In Jacksonville
The typical cost for a resident student during the 21-22 academic year, residing in any hall with the maximum meal plan, is $57,570.
This includes both the fall and spring semesters. The traditional full-time tuition per year costs about $42,250.
The traditional part-time tuition (less than 12 credit hours) per credit hour costs about $1,414.
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Are There Scholarships For The Best Colleges In Jacksonville?
There are a number of scholarships available to students who are interested in going to the best colleges in Jacksonville.
These scholarships could be merit based or need based. You would be required to visit the official website and apply.
For some others, the application form would be available at the college, so all you need to do is find out and pick up the forms for them.
Some of the scholarships available for students in the best colleges in Jacksonville are:
- Legacy Scholarship;
- Jacksonville University Honors Scholarship;
- Jacksonville University President’s Scholarship;
- William J. Scholarships;
- Jacksonville Commitment Scholarship;
- Jacksonville University Scholars Scholarship;
- Presidential Honors Scholarship;
- Jacksonville University Academic Scholarship;
How Can I Apply For Financial Aid In Jacksonville?
The financial aid application is made annually, and the amount of aid available can vary based on fluctuations in federal, state and institutional funding and personal financial situations.
However, generally, you can count on receiving a stable financial
aid package annually within reason of the stability of those external factors.
To receive financial aid in Jacksonville, you must:
- Complete your FAFSA annually. The application process opens each October. Need-based money is awarded on a first come/first serve basis, so early application is critical.
- Remain enrolled full-time and meet the required cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and a completion rate of attempted classes of 67%.
- Submit any additional required documentation in a timely manner as requested.
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10 Best Colleges In Jacksonville
#1. University of North Florida
University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university in Jacksonville, Florida. It is part of the State University System of Florida. The Commission accredits it on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor, masters, and doctorate degrees. The University of North Florida offers 127 degree programs.
It’s a large, public, four-year University in a large city.
In 2019, 4,376 students graduated with students earning 3,313 Bachelor’s degrees, 619 Master’s degrees, 252 Associate’s degrees, 155 Doctoral degrees, and 37 Certificates.
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#2. Illinois College
Illinois College offers 42-degree programs. It’s a small, private, not-for-profit, four-year University in a faraway town.
In 2019, 200 students graduated, with students earning 200
Bachelor’s degrees. Initiatives have been put in place for students to experience life-changing opportunities.
It is one of the best colleges in Jacksonville.
#3. Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville State University (JSU) is a public university in Jacksonville, Alabama.
Founded in 1883, Jacksonville State offers programs of study in six academic schools leading to bachelor’s, master’s, education specialist, and doctorate degrees in addition to certificate programs and continuing education opportunities.
Jacksonville State University offers 96-degree programs. It’s a medium-sized, public, four-year University in a small suburb.
In 2019, 1,713 students graduated with students earning 1,308 Bachelor’s degrees, 361 Master’s degrees, 41 Certificates, and 3 Doctoral degrees.
#4. MacMurray College
MacMurray College offers 21-degree programs. It’s a small, private, not-for-profit, four-year university in a faraway town.
In 2019, 108 students graduated, earning 107 Bachelor’s degrees and 1 Associate’s degree. It is one of the best colleges in Jacksonville.
#5. Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University (JU) is a private university in Jacksonville, Florida. The school was founded in 1934 as a two-year college known as Jacksonville Junior.
College until September 5, 1956.
When it shifted focus to building four-year university degree programs and later graduated its first four-year degree candidates as Jacksonville University in June 1959. Jacksonville University offers 133-degree programs.
It’s a small, private, not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 1,267 students graduated with students earning 716 Bachelor’s degrees, 520 Master’s degrees, 23 Doctoral degrees, and 8 Certificates.
#6. Flagler College-St Augustine
Flagler College is a private liberal arts college in St. Augustine, Florida. It was founded in 1968 and offers 33 undergraduate majors and one master’s program. It also has a campus in Tallahassee.
Flagler College-St Augustine offers 39-degree programs. It’s a small, private, not-for-profit, four-year university in a small suburb.
In 2019, 760 students graduated with students earning 754 Bachelor’s degrees, and 6 Master’s degrees.
#7. Trinity Baptist College
Trinity Baptist College offers 29 degree programs. It’s a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year University in a large city.
In 2019, 70 students graduated with students
earning 52 Bachelor’s degrees, 11 Master’s degrees, and 7 Associate’s degrees. It is one of the best colleges in Jacksonville.
#8. Edward Waters College
Edward Waters University is a private Christian historically Black university in Jacksonville, Florida.
It was founded in 1866 by members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) as a school to educate freedmen and their children.
Meanwhile, it was the first independent institution of higher education and the first historically black college in the State of Florida. Edward Waters College offers 9 degree programs.
It’s a small, private, not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 111 students graduated, with students earning 111 Bachelor’s degrees.
#9. Chamberlain University-Florida
Chamberlain University-Florida offers 1-degree program. It’s a small, private, for-profit, four-year university in a large city.
In 2019, 320 students graduated with students earning 320 Bachelor’s degrees.
The entire faculty and staff share the same goal: to help you take advantage of every resource and opportunity the Florida school offers. It is one of the best colleges in Jacksonville.
#10. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers 202-degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city.
In 2019, 7,253 students graduated, with students earning 3,611 Associate’s degrees, 2,806 Certificates, and 836 Bachelor’s
degrees.
Conclusion
Of course, many students are drawn to Florida colleges and universities because they want to spend the otherwise cold fall, winter, and spring in a warm place with sunny beaches.
But many other factors make Florida an excellent place to get higher education besides the great weather.
Going to any of these 10 best colleges in
Jacksonville would open your mind to see things beyond the four walls of a school.
References
- ju.edu – Scholarships & Financial Aid
- fscj.edu – Scholarships
- usnews.com – Best Colleges in Jacksonville
- usnews.com – 2022-2023 Best Colleges in Florida
- niche.com – 2023 Best Colleges in the Jacksonville Area