Choices: Post-secondary students have a lot of them in Greater Tampa Bay. There are some pretty outstanding options to choose from, too, with many reputable state and community colleges throughout the region.
For example, Pinellas Technical College, Hillsborough Community College and Manatee Technical Institute all landed on review site Niche’s list of the 45 best community colleges in Florida. GTB state and community colleges dominated the charts in Best Value Schools’ ranking of the Best Community Colleges in Florida in 2022, with five of 20 schools being locally based:
- No. 1 Manatee Technical College — Bradenton
- No. 10 State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota — Bradenton
- No. 13 Hillsborough Community College — Tampa
- No. 15 St. Petersburg College — St Petersburg
- No. 17 Pasco-Hernando State College — New Port Richey
Students may attend a state or community college for many different reasons — to gain industry training and certifications, to attend college close to home, as a first step for transferring into a four-year college or university, to gain an edge over their peers with a high-school level education, they are high school students dual enrolling to earn college credits, or even to earn a bachelor’s degree, with many state colleges offering four-year programs in several majors. Regardless of the reason, career or endeavor, GTB has a variety of institutions to suit any budget or goal.
Guide takes a closer look at three standout state and community colleges with a legacy for excellence in Greater Tampa Bay — St. Petersburg College, Pasco-Hernando Community College and Hillsborough Community College.
St. Petersburg College
By the Numbers
- 180 degree and certificate programs of study
- Total enrollment 43,223 in 2019-2020
- 11 campus locations in Pinellas County
- Graduates fill jobs that stimulate the Pinellas County economy by more than $855 million annually
- — St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corporation
- Rankings
- SPC’s online programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report:
- No. 48 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans
- No. 65 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs
- No. 75 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
- — Out of 1,200 online programs nationwide
- Niche ranks SPC highly for campus safety and location:
- No. 17 of 1,387 Safest College Campuses in America
- No. 2 of 56 Safest College Campuses in Florida
- No. 176 of 1,634 Best College Locations in America
- No. 10 of 75 Best College Locations in Florida
- SPC’s online programs are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report:
As the first and the oldest two-year college in Florida, SPC was created during the Great Depression to inspire post-secondary education and future prosperity. Nearly a century later, St. Petersburg touts alumni with the highest entry-level wage over any other Sunshine State community college, with students starting careers at approximately $51,248 annually.
Add in that SPC is the first community college in the state to start a bachelor’s program, and its record-breaking stats continue to shatter.
In her 34 years of service at SPC, President Tonja Williams has watched the deep roots of SPC grow — including her role helping expand to the four-year curriculum — and has personally experienced how the school changes lives.
One of those lives is her own, with the college and profound mentors making it possible for her to become the first female and minority president in the college’s history. Her personal story proves the potential growth at the school for humble students.
“I am enamored with the ability of SPC to change lives, since the institution has forever changed mine,” she said.
That change continues. SPC keeps an open-door policy, where students do not need ACT or SAT scores to prove themselves.
When getting a degree meets with parenthood, SPC paves the way, with up to 30% of students who have children receiving on-campus daycare assistance. The diverse full-time faculty offer students the best possible education in dozens of fields. In addition, high retention and first-time graduate rates are the payoffs for SPC in-state students who pay a little more than $19,000 per year for tuition and living expenses.
Students attend courses at 11 campuses, including the flagship in St. Petersburg. Other SPC campuses are in Clearwater, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Bay Pines and a downtown and mid-town education center.
Williams said while it is an honor and privilege to be a U.S. News & World Report’s top-ranked state college, the “rock star” SPC staff strive for national designation and recognitions, including shooting for the Aspen Award that recognizes the nation’s best community college.
“We are way in line with the governor’s goal to be the No. 1 workforce state by 2030,” Williams said. “It is part of our DNA to continue to improve the student experience.”
Pasco-Hernando State College
By the Numbers
- More than 70 degree and certificate programs of study
- Total enrollment 11,633 in 2019-2020
- Five campus locations in Pasco and Hernando counties
- More than 500 activities and on-campus events
- Rankings
- PHSC earned a high grade in several areas from Niche:
- A+ Safety
- A- Campus
- B- Diversity
- B- Student Life
- No. 1 of 164 Best Licensed Practical Nurse programs in Florida
- — NursingProcess.org, 2019
- PHSC earned a high grade in several areas from Niche:
Another record-breaking school is Pasco-Hernando State College, a former two-year community school established in 1967. It became so popular since its start, it grew into one of Florida’s top state schools by 2014 when introducing a bachelor’s program.
According to PHSC President Tim Beard, showcasing excellence is not new at PHSC.
Before becoming the college’s commander in chief, Beard has seen notable alumni pass through in the college’s 16 years, including Florida Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls and several city leaders. Turning students into community leaders is just what PHSC does, with alum success speaking to the state college’s prestige.
“You make a living by what you get, and you make a life by what you give,” Beard said of the motto he sets for himself and the students at the five campuses, including flagship New Port Richey and Brooksville, Dade City, Spring Hill and Wesley Chapel.
PHSC serves approximately 11,500 students who earn foundational Associate Arts degrees that can seamlessly transfer into four-year curriculum certificates. With majors in business, health, industry and technology and public service, the college’s low tuition cost of $1,578 for a full-time schedule has risen only once in six years, proving it is affordable and academically diverse.
“We take great pride in offering a good quality education close to home,” Beard said.
An organization often takes on the personality of its leaders. Crediting the board of directors, administrative staff and all professors and personnel for the school’s U.S. News & World Report high ranking, it is no surprise that the school is set apart.
“While we call ourselves a state college, make no mistake about it, we are a college for our community,” Beard said.
PSHC is a driving economic engine in the region, with student-turned workforce and community relationships continuously adding local prosperity. Therefore, remaining “flexible and adaptable” to the ever-changing higher education world is critical, Beard said.
Low tuition prices complemented by small class sizes and five intercollegiate sports offer PSHC students’ academic and athletic advancement. PSCH’s successful baseball, basketball, cross country, softball and volleyball teams are all the more reasons locals and out-of-state students choose the school.
When not wearing the PHSC’s gold and black colors on the field or in the classroom, students also enjoy extracurricular clubs and organizations that promote personal growth and career exploration.
Hillsborough Community College
By the Numbers
- More than 200 degree and certificate programs of study
- Total enrollment 42,434 in 2020-2021
- Five campus locations and three centers in Hillsborough County
- $1.3 billion annual economic impact to Hillsborough County
- — Hillsborough Community College
- Rankings
- No. 135 of 2,576 Best Overall Colleges in the United States in 2022
- Top 10% in this ranking
- — College Factual
- No. 10 of 2,540 Best Colleges for the Money in the United States in 2022
- Top 1% in this ranking
- — College Factual
- No. 135 of 2,576 Best Overall Colleges in the United States in 2022
In the southward neighboring county, Hillsborough Community College demands excellence.
HCC held a nationwide search ahead of sitting president Dr. Allen Witt’s retirement from his 14-year service to the college and found new president Dr. Paige Neihaus. HCC committee, staff, faculty and community representatives scoured the country for the most qualified candidate and narrowed it down to her.
“I am very excited about the opportunity to join the HCC family,” Neihaus said. “I look forward to getting to know our staff, faculty and students, as well as connecting and collaborating with the Tampa community and business partners.”
With student success, sustainability and innovation at the cornerstone of the college’s values, Neihaus is an incredible addition to the Hawk community.
Student life is a highlight at HCC, with college clubs, fraternities, sororities and student government contributing to a very high student satisfaction rate of 94%, according to a student survey in 2020. Some clubs include students promoting awareness, recognition and knowledge of disabilities, or SPARK; students for the environment; student nursing association; and criminal justice student association.
HCC has served Hillsborough County since 1968 and has become the Sunshine State’s seventh-largest community college. Its five campuses include the Dale Mabry campus in the Westshore District of Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, Ybor City and Ruskin.
More than 200 academic majors and transfer tracks include 35 Associate of Arts degrees, 59 Associate in Sciences degrees and 96 college certification programs.
Aside from numerous career choices, HCC offers an affordable annual tuition of $2,506. Student athletes can receive scholarships to four-year universities, which it has done time and again in tennis, softball, baseball and basketball. While some ace athletics, all HCC learners thrive off the school’s primary goals: student success, workforce development, sustainable operations, cultural inclusion and continuous improvement.
By Angela Underwood
