Looking to change professions or obtain a postsecondary degree or professional certification? You’re in luck. Southwest Florida has several opportunities to grow your career at one of our colleges and universities. Tuition and basic fees are for in-state students and do not include on-campus housing, books, or other expenses. Source: U.S. Department of Education
Public Colleges and Universities
Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Blvd. S., Fort Myers, 239-590-1000, 800-590-3428, fgcu.edu
Four-year, state university set on 800 acres offering 58 undergraduate programs, 25 master’s programs, 12 certificate programs, and six doctoral programs
Enrolled: 11,247
Established: 1991, opened in 1997
Tuition: $6,118
Florida SouthWestern State College
8099 College Pkwy., Fort Myers, 239-489-9300
7007 Lely Cultural Pkwy., Naples, 239-732-3700
fsw.edu
This public college serves a five-county area with campuses in Fort Myers, Naples, and Punta Gorda, as well as a Corporate Training Center in Bonita Springs and a satellite center in LaBelle. It is a cost-effective choice, with 70 percent of students graduating debt-free. It offers more than 45 academic programs, including professional certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees.
Enrolled: 24,034
Established: 1962
Tuition: $3,401
Private Colleges and Universities
Ave Maria School of Law
1025 Commons Circle, Naples, 239-687-5300, avemarialaw.edu
An independent law school in the Catholic tradition that is fully accredited by the American Bar Association, located on a 12-acre campus near the Vineyards community.
Enrollment: 270
Established: Founded in Michigan in 2000, relocated to Naples in 2009
Tuition: $35,380
Ave Maria University
5050 Ave Maria Blvd., Ave Maria, 239-280-2500, avemaria.edu
A private university in the Catholic tradition with a campus in the town of Ave Maria offering 33 bachelor’s programs as well as a master’s of theological studies and an MA and PhD in theology.
Enrollment: 1,123
Established: Founded in Michigan in 1998, relocated to Naples in 2003, permanent campus completed in 2007
Tuition: $19,970
Barry University
Sunrise Building, 12381 S. Cleveland Ave., Ste. 502, Fort Myers, 239-278-3041, barry.edu
The second-largest private Catholic university in the Southeast, with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs offered in Fort Myers and online.
Highest degrees (Fort Myers): MAA, MPA, MSW
Enrollment (Fort Myers): 150
Established: 1940
Tuition and fees: $29,850
Hodges University
4501 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, 239-482-0019 or 800-466-0019
2655 Northbrooke Drive, Naples, 239-513-1122 or 800-466-8017
hodges.edu
A private four-year college with campuses in Collier and Lee counties, with degree programs in career-related disciplines.
Highest degrees: MBA, MCJ, MCIT, MIS, MPA, MSM, MPS, MMHC
Enrolled: 2,900
Established: 1990
Tuition: $13,940
Keiser University
9100 Forum Corporate Parkway, Fort Myers, 239-277-1336, keiseruniversity.edu
Keiser University has 18 campuses in Florida and offers degrees in more than 100 doctoral, specialist, master’s, bachelor’s, and associate fields.
Established: 1977
Tuition: $11,780
Nova Southeastern University
3650 Colonial Court, Fort Myers, 239-274-6070, nova.edu
Florida’s largest independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education based in Fort Lauderdale offers undergraduate, graduate, and specialist degrees at its Student Educational Center in Fort Myers.
Highest degrees: MBA, DO, JD, DBA, EdD, PhD
Enrolled: 755 in Southwest Florida
Established: 1964
Tuition: $29,930
Rasmussen College
9160 Forum Corporate Parkway, Suite 100, Fort Myers, 239-477-2100, rasmussen.edu
Private, regionally accredited college with a focus on business, design, education, health sciences, justice, nursing, and technology, as well as professional certifications. It offers some full degrees through online courses. Past college coursework, military transcripts, course waivers, and industry certifications maximize credits and reduce overall costs.
Highest degrees (Fort Myers campus): MH, MS in Data Science, MSHR, MSN
Established: 2008 in Fort Myers; 1900 in St. Paul, Minnesota
Established: 1974
Tuition: Dependent on program and location
Specialty, Career, and Technical Colleges
Cape Coral Technical College
360 Santa Barbara Blvd. N., Cape Coral, 239-574-4440, capecoraltech.edu
An accredited technical college that is part of the Lee County School District’s public schools, offering programs in agriculture, business, health, hospitality, and technology.
Highest degree: Industry certifications, licensure exams
Opened: 1993
Tuition: Fees are calculated based on the program’s scheduled hours
Fort Myers Technical College
3800 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers, 239-334-4544, fortmyerstech.edu
An accredited technical college on a 30-acre campus that is part of the Lee County School District’s public schools, offering programs in occupational clusters. Many programs can be completed in a year or less.
Highest degree: Industry certifications, licensure exams
Established: 1967
Tuition: Fees are calculated based on the program’s scheduled hours
Southwest Florida Public Service Academy
4312 Michigan Ave., Fort Myers, 239-334-3897, swfpsa.org
This accredited technical college is part of the Lee County School District and is
an extension of Fort Myers Technical College. It is comprised of two separate public safety academies: Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Academy and Southwest Florida Fire Academy.
Courses: Law enforcement, basic and advanced firefighter and EMT, corrections, criminal justice
Highest degree: Industry certifications, licensure exams
Established: 1970s
Tuition: Fees are calculated based on the program’s scheduled hours
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