A Guide to Colleges and Universities in Boca Raton

Boca Raton, Florida, and its surrounding areas offer a diverse range of higher education options, from large public universities to smaller private colleges. This article provides an overview of the colleges and universities serving the Boca Raton area, with information on various aspects such as academic programs, campus environments, and costs.

Overview of Higher Education near Boca Raton

The Boca Raton area is home to a variety of colleges and universities, each with its unique characteristics and offerings. These institutions cater to a wide range of students, from traditional undergraduates to adult learners seeking to advance their careers. In 2024, there were approximately 2,606,460 jobs in the Boca Raton, Florida area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Boca Raton was above the national average, at 2.4%. There were 331,296 job openings in the area.

Florida Atlantic University (FAU)

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) stands as a prominent public research university with its main campus in Boca Raton. Established in 1964, FAU holds the distinction of being the first public university in the Miami metro area, initially offering only upper-division and graduate-level courses.

History and Growth

The establishment of FAU was authorized in 1961 by the state legislature to address the growing educational needs of South Florida. The university was built on the site of the former Boca Raton Army Airfield, a World War II-era training facility. FAU opened its doors on September 14, 1964, with an initial student body of 867 students across five colleges.

FAU has experienced significant expansion since its inception, extending its reach beyond the main campus. In 1971, it opened a campus in Fort Lauderdale, followed by additional campuses in Davie (1990), Dania Beach (1997), Port St. Lucie (1994), and Jupiter (1999). This expansion reflects FAU's commitment to serving the diverse educational needs of South Florida's growing population.

Academics and Programs

FAU offers a wide array of academic programs across its ten colleges:

Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
College of Business
College of Social Work and Criminal Justice
College of Education
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Graduate College
Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College
Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine
Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

The university provides over 180 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs. In 2024, Florida Atlantic University completed 5,910 bachelor's degrees, 249 associate degrees, 1,859 master's degrees, and 214 doctoral degrees. The top three undergraduate majors by enrollment are elementary education, accounting, and management.

FAU also offers specialized programs such as the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, located on the Jupiter campus, and a University Scholars Program.

Campus Life and Resources

FAU's main campus in Boca Raton spans 850 acres and offers a comprehensive range of facilities and resources. These include labs and classrooms, student housing, a 6,000-gallon shark tank for aquatic research, a movie theater, athletic and recreational facilities, and the student-run record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings. The campus is also a designated burrowing owl sanctuary.

The university's intercollegiate sports teams, the Florida Atlantic Owls, compete in NCAA Division I and the American Athletic Conference (AAC). With 19 varsity athletic teams, the Owls have achieved success in various sports.

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Research and Innovation

FAU is recognized as a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university is home to two centers of excellence: the Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology and the Center for Ocean Energy Technology. FAU has also been designated by the United States Department of Energy as one of three national centers for ocean energy research and development.

The university houses both an Imaging Technology Center and a NASA Imaging Technology Space Center, specializing in digital imaging research and development for various applications. FAU is affiliated with the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University, which provides outside research facilities for companies to interact with the university community.

Student Body and Diversity

As of 2021, FAU's student body consisted of 24,663 undergraduates, 3,380 graduate students, 440 doctoral students, and 254 medical students. The university has long been recognized as the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse institution in Florida's State University System.

Rankings and Recognition

In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Florida Atlantic University is ranked No. 183 in National Universities and No. 30 in Top Performers on Social Mobility.

Lynn University

Lynn University is a private institution known for its commitment to a personalized college experience. The university attracts students from over 100 countries and nearly all 50 states.

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In 2024, Lynn University completed 588 bachelor's degrees, 1 associate degree, 345 master's degrees, and 15 doctoral degrees.

Other Colleges and Universities near Boca Raton

Besides FAU and Lynn University, several other institutions serve the Boca Raton area, offering a variety of programs and educational opportunities.

Private Colleges and Universities

There are several four-year private colleges or universities in the area.

For-Profit Colleges

Several for-profit colleges operate in the area, offering career-focused programs.

Arizona College of Nursing-Fort Lauderdale

In 2024, Arizona College of Nursing-Fort Lauderdale completed 56 bachelor's degrees.

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

In 2024, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale completed 151 bachelor's degrees and 105 associate degrees.

Digital Media Arts College

In 2024, Digital Media Arts College completed 32 bachelor's degrees, 15 associate degrees, and 10 master's degrees.

Focused Institutions

Some institutions specialize in specific fields of study.

Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine

In 2024, Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine completed 22 bachelor's degrees, 22 master's degrees, and 3 doctoral degrees.

Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary

In 2024, Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary completed 25 master's degrees.

Cost of Education

The cost of attending college near Boca Raton varies depending on the type of institution. The average net price for students attending nonprofit schools is $20,320.

Accreditation

It is important to ensure that any college or university you are considering is institutionally accredited.

Job Market Outlook

The job market in the Boca Raton area is strong. In 2024, there were about 2,606,460 jobs in the Boca Raton, Florida area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Boca Raton was above the national average, at 2.4%. There were 331,296 job openings in the area.

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