What is Nova Southeastern University known for?
Nova Southeastern University was founded in 1964 with the goal of becoming an MIT of the South. The institution forged its reputation as a private doctoral research university that prided educational excellence and community service–values they uphold even today.
Ranked highly by US News for Best Value and Social Mobility in the 2022-2023 school year, Nova Southeastern University offers nearly 300 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs in various career-centered fields. Recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a research university with “high research activity,” Nova Southeastern University provides a premier education to students seeking careers in academia and to bolster their pre-existing careers with a flexible and highly-regarded education.
Is it Legit?
Nova Southeastern University is accredited to award Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, education specialist, Doctoral, and professional degrees by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The institution is additionally accredited to award certificates and diplomas to eligible students. Specific programs offered by Nova Southeastern University have received accreditations from professional organizations; for example, the university’s M.D. program received full accreditation from the Liason Committee on Medical Education and is a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges. Other programs, such as the institution’s various business, medicine, computing, and engineering programs, have also been highly awarded by relevant institutions.
Is Nova Southeastern University worth it?
Nova Southeastern University features over 22,000 enrolled students from over 115 countries and all 50 states. The institution is projected to have an economic impact in Florida of $5 billion by 2025 and has offered $220 million in scholarships. The school is Florida’s largest private research university and boasts over 150 degree programs, including in high-demand, niche fields; in fact, the school is the only college of optometry in Florida and is one of only 3 research institutes focused on cancer prevention and treatment.
Nova Southeastern University vs. Community College
Nova Southeastern University is a private research university that offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees–a much greater selection than community colleges, which primarily award Associate’s degrees. As a private institution, Nova Southeastern University offers both federal and institutional financial aid, which is need-based, to their students, enabling them to maximize the value of an affordable investment into their education and professional success. Nova Southeastern University also allows students to pursue research, even as undergraduates–an opportunity most community colleges often lack the funding and resources to provide. The institution offers students online and on-campus programs, enabling them the flexibility they may need to pursue an education and a career simultaneously.
Nova Southeastern University Acceptance Rate
Nova Southeastern University’s acceptance rate is 92.5%.
Nova Southeastern University Cost Per Year
All traditional undergraduate programs at Nova Southeastern University have an annual tuition of $35,880. On-campus housing and dining cost an additional $16,000, bringing the yearly total to approximately $52,000 before institutional and federal financial aid.
Select specialty Bachelor’s degree programs–the Bachelor of Health Science and the post-professional B.S. in Respiratory Therapy–charge per credit hour, which ranges from $400 to $500 per credit.
Other specialty programs, including the B.S. in Cardiovascular Sonography, the B.S. in Medical Sonography, the first professional B.S. in Respiratory Therapy, and both the standard and accelerated B.S. programs in Nursing, range in annual tuition from $18,000 to $35,000 per year for first and second-year students; tuition for second and third-year students in various specialty programs ranges from $7,000 to $28,000. On-campus housing and dining costs are the same for all undergraduate students.
Graduate degrees at Nova Southeastern University charge tuition based on credit hours; this ranges from $900 to $1,600. Housing for graduate students may range from $9,000 to $17,000 annually. Mandatory meal plans additionally range from $1,000 to $3,400 per year.
School Catalog
A copy of the course catalog can be found here.
School Hours
Though specific campus amenities are available to residential students 24/7, Nova Southeastern University’s student services, including the office of the University Registrar, the Office of Campus Life and Student Engagement, and the Student Financial Assistance office, are open from 8:30 AM to 6 PM EST.
In addition, their Student Organization Resource Center (“The SOURCE”) is open from 9 AM to 8 PM from Monday through Thursday and from 9 AM to 6 PM on Friday. All offices are closed over the weekend.
Class hours range from 8 AM to 10 PM, with the exception of online classes, which students may access at any time.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- International Business
- Marketing
Communications and Media
- Communications
Computer and Information Technology
- Computer Systems Technician
- Cybersecurity
Criminal Justice and Law
- Criminal Justice
- Paralegal
Graphics, Design, and Arts
- Art
- Digital Arts
- Film
- Graphic Design
- Music
Healthcare Administration and Services
- Public Health
Healthcare and Nursing
- Anesthesia Technology
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Physician Assistant
- Sonography
Wellness
- Physical Therapy
Campus Locations
NSU Fort Myers Campus 3650 Colonial Ct, Fort Myers, FL 33913
NSU Jacksonville Campus 6675 Corporate Center Pkwy, Suite 115, Jacksonville, FL 32216
NSU Miami Campus 8585 SW 124th Ave, Miami, FL 33183
NSU Miramar Campus 2050 Civic Center Pl, 3rd Floor, Miramar, FL 33025
NSU Orlando Campus 4850 Millenia Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839
NSU Palm Beach Campus 11501 N Military Trail, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
NSU Tampa Bay Regional Campus 3400 Gulf to Bay Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33759
NSU Puerto Rico Campus 997 San Roberto St, San Juan, PR 00926
Financial Aid Services
Nova Southeastern University awards scholarships and grants to qualified students. The school also accepts federal student and parent PLUS loans. Through an advance purchase program, students can use financial aid towards books and other supplies. Tuition payment plans and Federal Work Study programs round out financial options.
Student Services
Student services at NSU include a staffed writing center, online tutoring, and study skill resources. Counseling and health care centers are also available for current students. Student health insurance is offered and some staff members can assist with fees, waivers, and general inquiries.
Career Services
Students receive additional career services at NSU such as one-on-one advising as well as interview and resume tips. Other options like job boards and internship postings are also available for students to browse. Through the university, job seeking students have access to professional recruitment tools.
Veteran and Military Services
Military veterans can take advantage of many NSU programs geared toward their success. Among these are academic and career services which focus on unique experience gained during active service to boost resumes and increase hiring potential. There are also clinical and disability services, and organizations focused on overall student veteran wellness.
Alumni Services
The school’s Alumni Association offers free membership, access to networking opportunities as well as special events. Graduates can take advantage of local and national discounts on insurance and hotel rooms. Also, the university runs a Distinguished Alumni Awards program to honor graduates who have made significant contributions in their field of study.
Reviews
Based on reviews in Google, the Nova Southeastern University – Miami Campus has a mixed reputation with a generally positive overall score, but the commentary is sparse and often polarized, with most reviews being very old. The limited number of detailed reviews makes it difficult to draw comprehensive conclusions about the current state of the campus.
Overall Score: 4.1/5 Stars
Common Praises
High-Quality Academic Experience (Specific Programs): The most detailed recent positive feedback is from a parent whose son graduated from the optometry program, highlighting “good teachers,” a “very well-structured campus,” and “first-class treatment.” Another student referred to their experience as the “best decision I ever made.”
Campus Environment and Amenities: Reviewers mention an “Excellent campus” with clean and comfortable classrooms. General positive sentiments from older reviews use simple terms like “Love it,” “very good service,” and “great opportunities.”
Common Criticisms
Poor Instructor Performance (Specific Faculty): The most severe and specific recent criticism targets one particular instructor by name, labeling them the “worst instructor” and suggesting they should be fired, citing poor reviews from a previous institution.
Rudeness and Poor Customer Service (Administrative): A very old but highly upvoted review (9 years ago) details a negative experience with a rude staff member on the phone when inquiring about a graduate program. The staff member was reported to have rudely told the caller that the person needing the information should call themselves.
Lack of Detail in Reviews: A significant portion of the reviews are extremely brief (e.g., “Good,” “Well,” “Dental”) or provide no context, making it challenging to identify specific, recurrent issues or widespread positive trends.
Momentum
The momentum is unclear due to the low number of reviews and the large gap in time between them. The most recent detailed feedback contains both the most specific criticism (about a particular instructor) and the strongest praise (from the parent of an optometry graduate). Many of the simple positive reviews are 5 to 9 years old. The two most detailed comments in the past year are polarized, indicating that the overall experience at the campus may be highly dependent on the student’s program and specific faculty encounters.