Education
Education is an important indicator of the overall productivity of an economy, and the people of Southwest Florida are as educated as any in the nation.
As of the 2000 Census, 82% of those age 25 and older in the region had a high school diploma, compared to 80% nationwide. And between our blossoming educational system and our thriving colleges and universities, we see Southwest Florida becoming a smarter place to do business, as well.
In fact, Florida led the nation with the most "Newsweek Top 100 U.S. High Schools" in 2008, accounting for nearly 1 out of every 5 of the top ranked schools, as measured by the magazine's Challenge Index.
Along with the region's primary and secondary schools, Southwest Florida is proud of its colleges and universities, which include:
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University is the state's youngest four-year accredited public university. The student body has annually increased by double digits since FGCU opened in 1997 to address the increasing educational needs of Southwest Florida's rapidly growing population. With its innovative programs, technology friendly campus and outstanding faculty, the university offers one of the most exciting educational environments in America.
What's more Florida Gulf Coast University and the emerging Florida Gulf Coast Technology and Research Park, are drawing new businesses to the area, and providing existing firms with the resources they need to innovate and grow.
http://www.fgcu.edu
Edison State College
Edison State College has been serving Southwest Florida since 1962. The college offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Baccalaureate degrees, as well as various certificate programs. The Collier County Campus opened in 1992 on an 80-acre site near State Road 951 in east Naples. The Charlotte County Campus opened in 1997 on Airport Road in Punta Gorda. Edison also provides services to students in Glades counties.
http://www.edison.edu
Hodges University
Founded in 1990 as International College, Hodges University has established itself as one of the premier private universities in the State of Florida. The university now has campuses in Naples and Ft. Myers, along with half-a-dozen Learning Sites, including one each in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties. It is regionally accredited to award Associate, Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
http://www.hodges.edu
Ave Maria University
This new Roman Catholic University in Collier County, near Naples and Immokalee, is the centerpiece of a new urban development - the town of Ave Maria. The school opened in August 2003 with 100 undergraduate students from 32 states. In August 2008, Ave Maria University welcomed more than 589 undergraduate students from 50 states and 29 countries, as well as 61 faculty members.
http://www.avemaria.edu
Southwest Florida College
This private, not-for-profit, accredited senior college has campuses in Tampa, Ft. Myers, Port Charlotte and within the International Design Center in Estero, in Lee County. The college recently opened a new medical campus in Port Charlotte offering Associate Degrees in such disciplines as Surgical Technician and Health Information Technology.
http://www.swfc.edu
The Ringling College of Art and Design
This private, not-for-profit, fully accredited college offers a Bachelor's degrees in 14 disciplines: Advertising Design, Business of Art & Design, Computer Animation, Digital Filmmaking, Fine Arts, Game Art & Design, Graphic & Interactive Communication, Illustration, Interior Design, Motion Design, Painting, Photography & Digital Imaging, Printmaking and Sculpture. The 35-acre campus now includes 90 buildings and attracts close to 1,100 students from 43 states and 23 foreign countries. It is consistently ranked among the top 10 visual art and design schools in America, and is a leader in the use of technology in the arts.
http://www.ringling.edu
New College of Florida
This honors college offers students bachelor’s degrees in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, plus individually arranged multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and special topic majors. The Princeton Review, a New York-based annual college rating book, ranked New College of Florida as the No. 1 best value public college in the United States.
www.ncf.edu
University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee
This upper-division regional campus provides junior, senior and graduate-level coursework, offering bachelor’s and graduate degrees, as well as certificate programs. It combines the prestige of a national research university with the convenience of a hometown campus. The college also offers classes in south Sarasota County at MCC Venice.
www.sarasota.usf.edu
State College of Florida
This two-year college offers select bachelor’s degrees and university-parallel associate in arts degrees for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. It also offers associate in applied science and associate in science degrees that combine core college coursework with technical skills for jobs in engineering, technology, healthcare, education and business. SCF maintains full-service campuses in Bradenton and Venice; a satellite campus, the Center for Innovation and Technology, at Lakewood Ranch; and an extensive distance-learning environment.
www.scf.edu