What Is It Known For?
State College of Florida (SCF), Manatee-Sarasota, established in 1957, is a public institution known for its comprehensive range of educational programs and workforce training. SCF provides programs for vocational training in addition to standard academic degrees. Being a non-profit organization, it is well known for placing a high priority on practical and technical education, which makes it one of the major workforce development providers in the area.
Who owns the State College of Florida?
State College of Florida is owned and operated by the State of Florida. It is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by President Dr. Carol F. Probstfeld.
Degrees or Certifications
SCF offers a variety of academic and professional programs, including:
- Associate in Arts (A.A.) Degrees
- Associate in Science (A.S.) Degrees
- Bachelor’s Degrees
- Workforce Certificates
- Professional Licensure and Continuing Education Courses
Class Schedules
When it comes to class schedules, SCF offers flexible options to accommodate the needs of its students. Students can select the lesson time that best suits their schedules from morning, evening, and afternoon sessions. For those who would like a more flexible approach to their education, SCF also offers easily accessible online learning possibilities. For students to receive practical instruction and exposure to the real world, some SCF programs also incorporate clinical experiences and internships.
Is the State College of Florida Legitimate?
Yes, the State College of Florida is legitimate. The accreditation granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) attests to the fact that SCF’s educational programs uphold rigorous standards of quality and integrity.
Acceptance Rate
According to the U.S. Department of Education, SCF has an open admission policy. This open admissions policy supports its goal of fostering educational opportunities for a diverse student population.
Tuition Costs
Tuition at State College of Florida varies based on residency and program level. For Florida residents, lower-division courses cost approximately, $2,460 per year, while upper-division courses are about, $9,276 annually. Non-residents face higher tuition rates, with lower division courses costing around,$ 9,276 per year and upper division courses about,$10,610 annually.
Additional costs for all students include expenses for books, housing, transportation, and miscellaneous fees. For more detailed information about SCF tuition, please visit their tuition page on their official website.
Programs & Courses
Arts & Design
- Photographic Technology
- Filmmaking
- Graphic Design
- Music
- Web Design
Business
- Accounting/Budgeting
- Business Administration
- Data Analytics
- Entrepreneurship
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Insurance
- Management
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Risk Management
Education
- Early Childhood
- Pre School
Law & Public Safety
- Criminal Justice
- Fire Science
- Paralegal
- Homeland Security
- Real Estate Paraprofessional
- Public Safety and Emergency Management
Healthcare
- Dental Hygiene
- Health Services Management
- Nursing Transition Program
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- Radiography
- Health Services Administration
- RN
- RN – BSN
Skilled Trades
- Alternative Energy
- Articulated Engineering
- Computer Aided Design and Drafting
- Construction Management
- Electronics
- Manufacturing
Technology
- Biotechnology
- Computer Information Technology
- Computer Programming and Analysis
- Network Systems Technology
- Technology Project Management
Campus Locations
Bradenton 840 26th St. West Building 1, Room 201 Bradenton, FL 34207
Lakewood Ranch 7131 Professional Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34240
Venice 8000 S. Tamiami Trail Building 100 Venice, FL 34293
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, the State College of Florida (SCF) Venice campus is highly praised for its beautiful campus environment and the dedication of its professors and staff. However, a notable number of recent complaints focus on frustration with administrative offices, particularly Financial Aid, and a small number of reviews mention issues with the quality and political bias of some faculty.
Overall Score: 4.4/5 Stars
Common Praises
Beautiful and Safe Campus: The campus receives overwhelming praise for its natural beauty, featuring a lake with a walking trail and a pleasant, well-maintained atmosphere. Reviewers consistently describe it as a safe environment with ample parking.
Dedicated and Caring Faculty: Many long-term and dual-enrollment students highlight the professors as great, helpful, and friendly, noting that the staff and faculty “really care about the students.” The smaller campus size is cited as contributing to a close-knit community feeling.
Supportive Staff and Advising: Staff members in Admissions and other offices are frequently described as “nice and helpful,” with one long review specifically mentioning great advising that helped with transfer to a bachelor’s program.
Excellent Learning Environment: Students appreciate the clean and comfortable library and the overall high quality of the college experience for a local state college.
Common Criticisms
Financial Aid Office Issues: This is the most consistent and severe criticism. Multiple recent reviews mention the Financial Aid office is a “joke,” “extremely rude,” and that staff “don’t care to explain anything.” Students report long wait times, being unable to get answers to simple questions, and being threatened with being dropped from classes despite having financial aid coverage.
Administrative and Communication Disorganization: One recent review (2 months ago) mentions administrative “bs” and a feeling of giving up and rolling with the “egos” between support staff and faculty, indicating internal friction or bureaucratic hurdles. Another review mentioned long wait times for admissions.
Inconsistent Faculty Quality/Bias: While many professors are praised, a few detailed reviews mention that “many of the professors are subpar.” Specific complaints included instances of “political bias effecting our assignments” and unprofessional or unhelpful behavior from some instructors.
Momentum
The recent reviews (from the last month) continue to be highly positive, focusing heavily on the excellent experience with the many dedicated instructors and the friendly enrollment process with the admissions team. This demonstrates a strong and sustained positive momentum. The few negative reviews, while significant, are isolated and do not appear to be part of a growing trend. The school’s quick and personalized responses to reviews also suggest a strong commitment to engaging with its student base.