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Lakeland city hall lakeland floridaPhoto: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0
Colleges in and near Lakeland

Lakeland is home to three colleges, with about 11,000 students on campus

Southeastern University (6,779 students on campus) and Florida Southern College (2,955) are inside the city. About 9% of Lakeland’s residents are enrolled in college, above Florida (6%).

Florida Southern CollegeSoutheastern UniversityFlorida Polytechnic University

From the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard, June 2026; IPEDS fall 2023 enrollment) and the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020–24. Straight-line distances from the center of Lakeland. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
4
16,039 students on campus
Nearest college
1.6 mi
Florida Southern College
Residents in college
9%
Above FL (6%)
Nearest community college
31.7 mi
Hillsborough · $2,506 tuition
Nearest public university
9.3 mi
Florida Polytechnic University · $4,940 in-state
Median household income
$64K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Lakeland

Facts about the town and its distance to campus; each college’s own figures follow.

Three colleges within 9.3 milesFlorida Southern College admits 64% of applicants; Southeastern University admits 53%; Florida Polytechnic University admits 58%. Together they have 11,352 students on campus.In-state price at Florida Polytechnic UniversityLiving in Florida, Florida Polytechnic University charges $4,940 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $21,005. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 31.7 miles awayHillsborough Community College in Tampa: tuition and fees $2,506 a year for Florida residents.Students are 9% of residentsAbove Florida (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Lakeland

Two private colleges within 2.8 miles, and two public colleges within 14.9 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miSoutheastern UniversityPolk State CollegeFlorida Southern CollegeLakeland
University or collegeCommunity college
Florida Southern CollegeUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 2,955 on campus · In Lakeland64%admitted$29knet price71%graduate$55kearningsSoutheastern UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · 6,779 on campus · In Lakeland53%admitted$32knet price43%graduate$47kearningsFlorida Polytechnic UniversityUniversity or college · Public · 1,618 on campus · In Lakeland58%admitted$12knet price55%graduatePolk State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · 4,687 on campus · 14.9 mi · Winter Haven$9knet price35%graduate$41kearnings

Degree-granting colleges with 100 or more students on campus (fall 2023 enrollment, minus students who study only online). Admitted: share of applicants offered a place. Net price: the average a year after grants, for students on federal aid. Graduate: within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting.

What it costs

What would your family pay?

The average a year after grants, for families on federal aid, at the colleges within 15 miles. Pick your family’s income.

Family income

Starts at $48–75k, where Lakeland’s median household income ($64,185) falls.

Polk State College14.9 mi · Winter Haven · sticker $13,451$9,502a year
Florida Polytechnic UniversityIn Lakeland · sticker $21,817$11,316a year
Florida Southern CollegeIn Lakeland · sticker $60,768$25,830a year
Southeastern UniversityIn Lakeland · sticker $49,329$31,185a year

The average a year after grants and scholarships, for first-time, full-time students on federal aid, from the College Scorecard. Your own price depends on your aid package; every college has a net price calculator. For community colleges the net price counts housing and food at full cost, so tuition is shown beside it. “—”: not reported for that income.

Outcomes

Do students finish, and does it pay?

Each dot is a college within 15 miles of Lakeland: across is the share who graduate, up is what they earn ten years after starting.

$0$20k$40k$60k$80k0%25%50%75%100%Graduate →Florida Southern CollegeSoutheastern UniversityPolk State College
Southeastern University43% graduate$47k earnings$22k typical debt
Polk State College35% graduate$41k earnings$10k typical debt
Florida Southern College71% graduate$55k earnings$25k typical debt

Graduation: first-time, full-time students within 6 years (4-year colleges) or 3 years (2-year). Earnings: median, 10 years after starting, for students who got federal aid.

Majors

What students study in Lakeland

Share of bachelor’s and associate degrees by field across Lakeland’s 3 colleges, weighted by undergraduates; then the biggest programs.

Business 16%Theology 14%Engineering 8%Computer science 8%Liberal arts 7%Psychology 7%Everything else 41%

Biggest programs

Theological and Ministerial StudiesSoutheastern University · 215 graduates a year
$44k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsSoutheastern University · 148 graduates a year
$56k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsFlorida Southern College · 114 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Psychology, GeneralSoutheastern University · 86 graduates a year
$48k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingFlorida Southern College · 52 graduates a year
$93k4 yrs out
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessSoutheastern University · 52 graduates a year
$46k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingSoutheastern University · 48 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Mechanical EngineeringFlorida Polytechnic University · 41 graduates a year
$70k4 yrs out

College Scorecard: degree shares (PCIP; each college’s six largest fields are kept, the rest count as everything else) and the field-of-study file, median earnings 4 years after graduating.

Questions about college in Lakeland

Is Lakeland a college town?

No. About 9 of every 100 Lakeland residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), above Florida (6). The largest campus in the city, Southeastern University, has 6,779 students on campus.

What colleges are in Lakeland?

Southeastern University, Florida Southern College and Florida Polytechnic University are inside the city. Hillsborough Community College is 31.7 miles away in Tampa.

What is the closest community college to Lakeland, and what does it cost?

Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, 31.7 miles away. Tuition and fees are $2,506 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $3,861, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does Florida Polytechnic University cost if we live in Florida?

Tuition and fees are $4,940 a year in-state and $21,005 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $8,819 (under $30,000 income) to $16,423 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

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Colleges: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS (Scorecard 06/10/2026 · IPEDS 2024 · fall 2023 enrollment). “On campus” is fall enrollment minus students who study only online. Distances are straight-line from the center of Lakeland. Residents in college, age, rent and poverty (including poverty without college students, table B14006): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–24. Colleges are described, not graded; the College town label marks towns where 15% or more of residents are enrolled. How TownRatings describes colleges →