Guest, Sign inJoin

Post to Ocala

We’ll email a one-tap link to publish your post. No password, and nothing is public until you click it.
Already a member? Sign in
West Ocala Historic DistrictWest Ocala Historic District · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5
Colleges in and near Ocala

Ocala is home to three colleges, with 6,835 students on campus

College of Central Florida (4,391 students on campus) and Rasmussen University-Florida (2,238) are inside the city. About 4% of Ocala’s residents are enrolled in college, below Florida (6%).

Rasmussen University-FloridaCollege of Central Florida

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 Ocala. Colleges are described, not graded.

Within 15 miles
3
6,835 students on campus
Nearest college
0.2 mi
Rasmussen University-Florida
Residents in college
4%
Below FL (6%)
Nearest community college
32.2 mi
Lake-Sumter State College · $3,292 tuition
Nearest public university
1.7 mi
College of Central Florida · $2,710 in-state
Median household income
$56K
prices below start here

What stands out about college in Ocala

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

Two colleges within 1.7 milesTogether they have 6,629 students on campus.In-state price at College of Central FloridaLiving in Florida, College of Central Florida charges $2,710 in tuition and fees; from out of state, $10,517. State residency rules decide which a new arrival pays.A community college 32.2 miles awayLake-Sumter State College in Leesburg: tuition and fees $3,292 a year for Florida residents.Students are 4% of residentsBelow Florida (6%). The Census counts anyone enrolled, including part-time and online students.
Every college

Colleges within 15 miles of Ocala

Two private colleges within 3 miles, and one public college within 1.7 miles.

5 mi10 mi15 miCollege of Central FloridaRasmussen University-FloridaOcala
University or collegeCommunity college
Rasmussen University-FloridaUniversity or college · For-profit · 2,238 on campus · In Ocala$22knet price42%graduate$39kearningsEarnings are reported for all 6 campuses that file with it.College of Central FloridaUniversity or college · Public · 4,391 on campus · In Ocala$12knet price44%graduate$38kearningsTaylor CollegeUniversity or college · For-profit · 206 on campus · In Ocala$20knet price27%graduate$60kearnings

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 Ocala’s median household income ($56,376) falls.

College of Central FloridaIn Ocala · sticker $18,424$14,020a year
Rasmussen University-FloridaIn Ocala · sticker $28,346$21,335a year
Taylor CollegeIn Ocala · sticker $27,241$23,348a 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 Ocala: 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 →Rasmussen University-FloridaCollege of Central FloridaTaylor College
College of Central Florida44% graduate$38k earnings$13k typical debt
Rasmussen University-Florida42% graduate$39k earnings*$21k typical debt
Taylor College27% graduate$60k earnings$26k 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. *Reported for all the campuses that file together: Rasmussen University-Florida (6).

Majors

What students study in Ocala

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

Health professions 45%Business 19%Liberal arts 18%Computer science 4%Public safety 4%Education 3%Everything else 7%

Biggest programs

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRasmussen University-Florida · 383 graduates a year
$87k4 yrs out
Educational Administration and SupervisionRasmussen University-Florida · 147 graduates a year
$47k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsCollege of Central Florida · 130 graduates a year
$51k4 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative ServicesRasmussen University-Florida · 97 graduates a year
$62k4 yrs out
Business Administration, Management and OperationsRasmussen University-Florida · 80 graduates a year
$76k4 yrs out
Human Resources Management and ServicesRasmussen University-Florida · 64 graduates a year
$65k4 yrs out
Human Services, GeneralRasmussen University-Florida · 55 graduates a year
$49k4 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingCollege of Central Florida · 55 graduates a year
$93k4 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 Ocala

Is Ocala a college town?

No. About 4 of every 100 Ocala residents are enrolled in college (Census, 2020–24), below Florida (6). The largest campus in the city, College of Central Florida, has 4,391 students on campus.

What colleges are in Ocala?

College of Central Florida, Rasmussen University-Florida and Taylor College are inside the city. Lake-Sumter State College is 32.2 miles away in Leesburg.

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

Lake-Sumter State College in Leesburg, 32.2 miles away. Tuition and fees are $3,292 a year for Florida residents; the federal net price, $5,855, counts housing and food at full cost.

How much does College of Central Florida cost if we live in Florida?

Tuition and fees are $2,710 a year in-state and $10,517 from out of state. After grants, families on federal aid paid an average of $11,096 (under $30,000 income) to $18,424 (over $110,000), housing and food included.

Neighbors talk college

Students, parents, alumni and the neighbors next door.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

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 Ocala. 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 →