Orlando’s higher education system trained and educated over 184,000 students in 2023, with nearly 60,000 graduates entering the workforce. This powerhouse of talent development spans 4 major state universities and colleges, 8 private universities, and 12 technical institutions across the metro area.
We analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau and educational institutions to give you the full picture of Orlando’s academic landscape. Our research found that the University of Central Florida and Valencia College lead the pack, teaching 60% of all college students in the region. That’s over 111,000 students between just these two schools.
Beyond the big players, Orlando’s educational ecosystem includes specialized schools like AdventHealth University producing healthcare professionals, Full Sail University training the next generation of digital creators, and Universal Technical Institute developing skilled trades workers. Let’s break down what this means for businesses, future students, and anyone interested in understanding Orlando’s education sector.
University enrollment numbers
The numbers paint a clear picture of Orlando’s higher education landscape in 2023. With over 184,000 students enrolled across all institutions, we’re looking at a major education hub in Central Florida.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of enrollment by institution:
| Institution | Location | Enrollment 2023 | Total Graduates | Graduate Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | Orlando | 68,346 | 19,700 | 3,796 |
| Valencia College | Orlando | 43,370 | 16,336 | 0 |
| Full Sail University | Winter Park | 26,737 | 7,515 | 841 |
| Seminole State College | Sanford | 14,323 | 5,378 | 0 |
| Ana G. Mendez University | Orlando | 7,904 | 1,093 | 585 |
| Lake-Sumter State College | Leesburg | 4,460 | 990 | 0 |
| Rollins College | Winter Park | 3,029 | 839 | 210 |
| AdventHealth University | Orlando | 1,610 | 478 | 172 |
Some interesting findings from the data:
UCF stands as the largest institution by far, with its 68,346 students making up 37% of all higher education enrollment in the metro area. Combined with Valencia College’s 43,370 students, these two institutions teach more students than all other local colleges and universities put together.
Full Sail University ranks as the largest private institution with 26,737 students, focusing on entertainment, media, and technology programs. The numbers also show strong enrollment at specialized institutions, with AdventHealth University training 1,610 future healthcare professionals.
Looking at graduate education, UCF leads with 3,796 master’s and doctoral students, while Full Sail University follows with 841 graduate students. This shows Orlando’s growing role in advanced education and research.
Let me create a comprehensive section about degree production with detailed analysis and a clear table:
Degree production
In 2023, Orlando’s colleges and universities hit a milestone with 59,816 graduates. The data shows bachelor’s degrees led the pack at 21,842 graduates – that’s about 37% of all degrees awarded. Technical education also made a strong showing, with 18,115 undergraduate certificates awarded.
The numbers tell an interesting story about our local education priorities. While doctoral programs produced 609 graduates, master’s programs created nearly eight times that number with 4,640 new advanced degree holders. Associate degrees remained strong with 14,221 graduates, showing the continued value of two-year programs in our region.
Here’s the complete breakdown of degrees awarded across all Orlando MSA institutions in 2023:
| Degree Level | Number of Graduates | Percentage of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degrees | 21,842 | 36.5% |
| Undergraduate Certificates | 18,115 | 30.3% |
| Associate Degrees | 14,221 | 23.8% |
| Master’s Degrees | 4,640 | 7.8% |
| Graduate Certificates | 389 | 0.7% |
| Doctoral Degrees | 609 | 1.0% |
| Total | 59,816 | 100% |
The University of Central Florida led degree production with 19,700 total graduates, followed by Valencia College with 16,336 graduates. Full Sail University ranked third, producing 7,515 graduates across various programs.
Looking at these numbers, we see Orlando’s higher education system is built on a strong foundation of undergraduate education, with substantial pathways for advanced degrees. The high number of undergraduate certificates points to a robust technical and specialized education sector, meeting immediate workforce needs in our region.
Top fields of study
Orlando’s education system produced graduates across 30+ fields in 2023, with business, liberal arts, and healthcare leading the way. Let’s look at the numbers that shape our workforce.
Business and management programs dominated with 10,705 graduates – that’s 18% of all degrees awarded in the metro area. Liberal arts came in second with 9,890 graduates, while health professions rounded out the top three with 7,810 new healthcare professionals.
Here’s a detailed look at Orlando’s top 10 fields by graduate count in 2023:
| Field of Study | Total Graduates | Certificate | Associate | Bachelor’s | Master’s | Doctorate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | 10,705 | 5,566 | 436 | 3,452 | 1,180 | 15 |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | 9,890 | 0 | 9,691 | 195 | 4 | 0 |
| Health Professions | 7,810 | 2,371 | 1,580 | 2,856 | 697 | 282 |
| Visual & Performing Arts | 4,920 | 875 | 342 | 3,285 | 418 | 0 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 3,376 | 1,531 | 358 | 1,258 | 190 | 29 |
| Engineering | 1,931 | 55 | 63 | 1,386 | 305 | 108 |
| Psychology | 1,724 | 5 | 1 | 1,633 | 64 | 16 |
| Law Enforcement & Security | 1,703 | 846 | 149 | 536 | 150 | 5 |
| Education | 1,663 | 314 | 0 | 566 | 552 | 52 |
| Communication | 1,397 | 456 | 33 | 755 | 141 | 4 |
What jumps out from these numbers? We see strong tech training with 3,376 graduates in computer sciences. Engineering programs produced 1,931 graduates with a solid mix across degree levels. Education programs created 1,663 new teachers and administrators, with a high proportion of master’s degrees.
The data shows Orlando’s higher education system is producing graduates aligned with our region’s major industries: business services, healthcare, technology, and creative arts.
Private vs public education in Orlando
Public and private institutions in Orlando serve different student needs and career paths. The data from 2023 shows public institutions enrolled 130,499 students, while private colleges and universities taught 39,280 students.
Here’s how the numbers break down between public and private sectors:
| Institution Type | Total Enrollment | Total Graduates | Undergraduate % | Graduate % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Institutions | ||||
| University of Central Florida | 68,346 | 19,700 | 80.7% | 19.3% |
| Valencia College | 43,370 | 16,336 | 100% | 0% |
| Seminole State College | 14,323 | 5,378 | 100% | 0% |
| Lake-Sumter State College | 4,460 | 990 | 100% | 0% |
| Private Institutions | ||||
| Full Sail University | 26,737 | 7,515 | 89.3% | 10.7% |
| Ana G. Mendez University | 7,904 | 1,093 | 46.5% | 53.5% |
| Rollins College | 3,029 | 839 | 75% | 25% |
| AdventHealth University | 1,610 | 478 | 64% | 36% |
What stands out in the numbers? Public institutions focus heavily on undergraduate education, with three out of four schools offering exclusively undergraduate programs. UCF is the exception, with a substantial graduate program serving 19.3% of its student body.
Private institutions show more variety in their focus. Ana G. Mendez University has the highest percentage of graduate students at 53.5%, while Full Sail University maintains a strong undergraduate focus with 89.3% of students in bachelor’s programs or below.
The data shows both sectors play key roles in Orlando’s education system. Public institutions provide broad access to higher education, while private schools often fill specialized niches in healthcare, entertainment, and international education.
Technical and specialized education
Technical education in Orlando trains thousands of students each year in specific career paths. In 2023, over 8,700 students enrolled in the region’s technical and specialized training programs.
Here’s a complete look at Orlando’s technical education enrollment and certifications:
| Institution | Location | Enrollment | Certificates Awarded | Type of Training |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange Technical College – Mid Florida | Orlando | 2,310 | 416 | Technical/Vocational |
| Orange Technical College – West | Winter Garden | 1,569 | 309 | Technical/Vocational |
| Orange Technical College – East | Winter Park | 2,132 | 172 | Technical/Vocational |
| Southern Technical College | Sanford | 1,521 | 1,065 | Technical/Professional |
| Universal Technical Institute | Orlando | 943 | 1,401 | Automotive/Trades |
| Florida Career College | Orlando | 761 | 493 | Professional Training |
| Lake Technical College | Eustis | 744 | 682 | Technical/Vocational |
| Osceola Technical College | Kissimmee | 621 | 469 | Technical/Vocational |
| Aviation Institute of Maintenance | Orlando | 244 | 109 | Aviation |
Looking at the numbers, Orange Technical College stands as the largest provider with multiple campuses serving 6,295 students total. Their programs spread across three main locations in Orlando, Winter Garden, and Winter Park.
The data shows strong completion rates at several schools. Universal Technical Institute, for example, awarded 1,401 certificates with an enrollment of 943 students, pointing to multiple certification opportunities per student. Lake Technical College also shows high completion numbers with 682 certificates awarded from 744 students.
These technical schools fill a vital role in Orlando’s workforce development, producing graduates in automotive technology, aviation maintenance, healthcare support, and skilled trades.
Let me provide data-driven takeaways that will interest business owners and journalists:
Editorial notes from Orlando’s education data
Orlando’s education numbers tell a story of growth and specialization. Here’s what matters most from our analysis:
- Scale of education
- 184,947 students enrolled across all institutions
- 59,816 new graduates entered the workforce in 2023
- 2 largest institutions (UCF and Valencia) teach 111,716 students
- Business and tech focus
- 10,705 business graduates lead all fields
- 3,376 new tech professionals from computer science programs
- 1,931 engineering graduates across all degree levels
- Healthcare pipeline
- 7,810 healthcare graduates in 2023
- AdventHealth University produced 478 specialized healthcare professionals
- Multiple technical schools offer healthcare certifications
- Technical education impact
- 8,700+ students in technical programs
- High completion rates: Universal Technical Institute awarded 1,401 certificates
- Strong focus on practical skills with 18,115 undergraduate certificates awarded
- Graduate education growth
- 4,640 master’s degrees awarded
- 609 doctoral graduates
- UCF leads with 3,796 graduate students
These numbers show Orlando’s education system mirrors its economy – strong in tourism, healthcare, and technology. The mix of large universities and specialized schools creates a workforce pipeline that supports the region’s major industries.
