Florida Southern College traces its roots to 1883 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Relocated to Lakeland in 1922, the college is best known for its Child of the Sun campus, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright starting in 1938, which is a National Historic Landmark and the largest single-site collection of Wright architecture in the world. It is regarded as a strong regional institution in the South, consistently ranked among top regional universities for value and undergraduate teaching.
The campus blends Wright's iconic covered esplanades with lakefront views and a close-knit community of roughly 2,500 students. Distinctive strengths include nursing, business, education, citrus and horticulture programs, and a competitive Division II athletics program. Small classes, hands-on learning, active Greek life, and a strong residential culture define the student experience.
| Type | Private |
| Location | Lakeland, Florida |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Total students | 2,800 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 13:1 |
| Acceptance rate | 60% |
| Graduation rate | 62% |
| Average starting salary | $48,000 |
| In-state tuition | $38,000 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $38,000 |
| Room & board | $14,500 |
| Average financial aid | $26,000 |
| Students receiving aid | 98% |
| SAT range | 1040-1240 |
| ACT range | 21-27 |
| Average GPA | 3.8 |
| Regular deadline | Rolling |
Figures are estimates for exploration — verify current costs, deadlines, and requirements on the university's official website.