Florida Southern College

What Florida Southern College does

Florida Southern College is a private, non-profit liberal arts college founded in 1883 and located on a single lakefront campus at 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive in Lakeland, Florida, between Tampa and Orlando. It serves approximately 2,800-3,500 students across traditional residential undergraduate programs (70+ majors), adult and graduate degree programs (online bachelor's, MBA, MAcc, DNP, DPT, MPA launching Fall 2026, and teacher recertification), and specialized schools including the AACSB-accredited Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise, the CCNE-accredited Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences (10-year maximum through 2036), the newly launched School of Architecture (pursuing NAAB accreditation in November 2026), and the School of Education. Student services include Greek life (approximately 600 students across 12 organizations), the Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center, an on-campus Student Health Center operated in partnership with Lakeland Regional Health, the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art, the Washington Center internship program, and nationally recognized career services via Handshake.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and fees, room and board, auxiliary services (dining, Greek Village housing, wellness center), continuing education/professional certificates, and donor-supported financial aid (institutional scholarships, Pell Grants, Florida Bright Futures, EASE, federal loans, and graduate assistantships providing 25%-100% tuition remission for MBA and MAcc students). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through segmented admissions teams: undergraduate, adult/graduate, international, transfer, ROTC, and dedicated counselors. Marketing combines campus events (Southern Select, Southern Showcase, daily tours), social media, athletics marketing (men's golf 14th national championship; women's lacrosse national title 2026), a virtual recruiter chatbot ('Mocsie'), and content marketing. The institution's distinctive intangible assets include the world's largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings, reinforcing its 14 consecutive-year inclusion on Princeton Review's Most Beautiful Campus list. Operating technology is conventional higher-ed infrastructure (Jenzabar SIS, Canvas LMS) with no disclosed proprietary AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Florida Southern College

Legal name

Florida Southern College

Website

https://flsouthern.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Florida Southern College is a private non-profit liberal arts college in Lakeland, Florida, founded in 1883, serving traditional undergraduates, adult/graduate, international, and ROTC students across 70+ programs including AACSB-accredited business, CCNE-accredited nursing, and a new School of Architecture.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

General Liberal Arts Colleges (EDAHACAA)

Keywords

• Private liberal arts college
• Undergraduate degree programs
• Graduate business education
• Nursing education programs
• Online degree completion

Headquarters

HQ city

Lakeland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Primary revenue from undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral tuition. The college offers traditional residential undergraduate programs, adult/graduate online programs, and continuing education including professional certificates and teacher recertification workshops.
2. Room and Board: Revenue from on-campus housing including residence halls, apartment-style housing, and dining services. Includes Greek Village housing options.
3. Financial Aid Services: Institutional scholarships, Pell Grants, Florida Bright Futures, EASE grants, federal student loans, and graduate assistantships that support enrollment while generating revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Florida Southern College is a private liberal arts college that delivers residential undergraduate programs (70+ majors and minors), online adult degree-completion programs, and graduate/doctoral degrees (MBA, MAcc, DPT, MPA launching Fall 2026) through specialized AACSB-accredited business, CCNE-accredited nursing, NAAB-pending architecture, and education schools. The college also operates auxiliary services including residence halls and Greek Village housing, dining, the Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center, the Student Health Center in partnership with Lakeland Regional Health, Career Services, intramural sports, and the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art.

Product overview

Florida Southern College is a higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational programs and student services across multiple schools and colleges. The institution operates on a multi-product model consisting of: Traditional Undergraduate Programs (70+ majors for full-time residential students), Adult and Graduate Programs (onlineFlexible degree completion for working adults including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees), and Specialized Schools including the Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise (AACSB-accredited), Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences (CCNE-accredited through 2036), School of Architecture (new program pursuing NAAB accreditation), and School of Education. Supporting services include the Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center, Student Health Center (partnered with Lakeland Regional Health), Career Services, and Greek Life. The institution also operates the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art and hosts the annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival. A new Master of Public Administration program is launching Fall 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FSC Mocs: Athletics program nickname for Florida Southern College teams.
• Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise
• School of Architecture
• Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences
• Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art
• Nina B. Hollis Wellness Center

Products and services

• Traditional Undergraduate Programs Full-time residential undergraduate degree programs offering 70+ majors and minors with hands-on, experiential learning for first-year and transfer students.
• Adult and Graduate Programs (Online Degree Completion) Online and flexible degree completion programs for working adults, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral degrees, professional certificates, and teacher recertification workshops.
• Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise AACSB-accredited business school with concentrations in accounting, finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship, offering undergraduate business degrees to prospective students.
• Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing and Health Sciences CCNE-accredited nursing school offering BSN and DNP programs with maximum 10-year accreditation through 2036.
• School of Architecture Architecture school focused on hands-on design studio projects and experiential learning, with inaugural cohort completed and NAAB accreditation pending.
• School of Education Teacher preparation programs recognized nationally for preparing future elementary teachers in the science of reading.
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) Graduate business degree program with graduate assistantship opportunities providing 25%-100% tuition reimbursement in exchange for part-time work.
• Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Graduate accounting degree with graduate assistantship opportunities and pathway to CPA certification.
• Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Professional doctoral program preparing students for physical therapy careers with clinical rotations.
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) Graduate program preparing students for leadership roles in the public and nonprofit sectors, scheduled to launch in Fall 2026.
• Summer Scholars Program Early college access program for high school students to experience college-level academics.
• Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art On-campus museum hosting the annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival and curating rotating exhibitions open to the public and the campus community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 583 graduates in May 2026 - largest graduating class in institution's history
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Citizens Bank and TrustcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Presenting sponsor of the 54th annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival hosted by the Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of Art. Supports regional art community engagement and cultural programming.
• The RuthvensmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Co-presenting sponsor of Mayfaire by-the-Lake art festival, supporting arts and cultural programming at the college.
• Visit Central FloridaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026Tourism partner supporting Mayfaire by-the-Lake festival and regional visitor promotion.
• City of LakelandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 May 2026City government partner supporting Mayfaire by-the-Lake festival, leveraging lakefront venue on Lake Morton for annual art festival.
• Lakeland Regional HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida Southern College partners with Lakeland Regional Health to operate the on-campus Student Health Center. Staffed full-time by an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) and medical assistant, providing clinic visits, over-the-counter medications, vaccinations, and health education to students.
• Ashley Gibson Barnett Museum of ArtcoreOthersThe on-campus museum operates as a cultural anchor, hosting the annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake festival and curating exhibitions including the announcement of Laura V. Putnam as Curator of Exhibitions.
• The Washington CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing FSC students internship opportunities in Washington D.C. with academic credit. Campus liaison Dr. Bruce Anderson facilitates the application process for political science and other majors.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stetson University: Private Florida university in DeLand offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs including AACSB-accredited business and CCCNE-accredited nursing — overlaps with FSC's professional-school portfolio and private-college market.
• Southeastern University: Private Christian university in Lakeland, FL — immediate geographic competitor for both traditional undergraduates and adult learners in the same Lakeland market, with overlapping faith-based positioning.
• University of Tampa: Private Florida university offering AACSB-accredited business, nursing, and graduate programs in Tampa — geographic neighbor and direct competitor for FSC's adult/graduate and traditional undergraduate enrollment in the Tampa Bay region.
• Rollins College: Private liberal arts college in Winter Park, FL — the most direct peer to FSC given similar size, residential undergraduate model, MBA and continuing-education programs, and Florida private-college market positioning.
• Flagler College: Private liberal arts college in St. Augustine, FL with residential undergraduate focus and historic campus — comparable size, mission, and applicant pool as FSC, including heritage/architectural brand positioning.
• Eckerd College: Private liberal arts college in St. Petersburg, FL with residential undergraduate focus, marine science, and environmental studies — comparable Florida residential liberal arts peer competing for similar out-of-state and in-state applicants.
• Barry University: Private Catholic university in Miami Shores, FL with strong nursing, business, and adult-learner programs — competes for FSC's adult/graduate and graduate assistantship-driven enrollment in Florida.
• Nova Southeastern University: Large private Florida university with extensive online and graduate programs including MBA, DNP, and EdD — competes directly with FSC's expanding adult/graduate stack, especially at higher scale.
• St. Leo University: Private Catholic university in central Florida with strong online and adult-learner focus — geographic peer and direct competitor for FSC's adult/graduate admission pipeline in Lakeland/Tampa.

Broad incumbents

• University of Miami: Large private Florida research university with AACSB business, accredited nursing, architecture, and graduate programs — broader incumbent competing for the same Florida-based students seeking premium private education.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/flsouthern
• Facebookfacebook.com/FloridaSouthern
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/florida-southern-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/flsouthern
• Xx.com/flsouthern

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Florida Southern College