Education
Residents of St. Petersburg have a wealth of higher educational opportunities from which to choose including the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg College, Eckerd College, Stetson College of Law, and Pinellas Technical Education Centers, to name a few. This means St. Petersburg area businesses can easily locate qualified employees, especially since half of all graduating students - 10,000 - remain in the area after graduation. In addition to these full time workers, businesses can find more than 110,000 current students available for part-time work. Besides higher educational opportunities, the Pinellas County School System provides an outstanding foundation for the future business leaders of tomorrow.
With over 37,000 students, The University of South Florida (USF) is the nation's 13th largest university. It graduates more MBAs than any other school in Florida and is ranked by the Carnegie Foundation as a Level I research institution. USF also has the largest small business development center in the Southeast, with clients generating $100 million a year in area business. USF's St. Petersburg waterfront campus is conveniently located in downtown St. Petersburg. USF St. Petersburg is home to the Knight Oceanographic Research Center and is nationally recognized for its marine science, accounting, management information science, medical and psychology programs.
St. Petersburg College (SPC), formerly Florida's oldest 2-year college, is now a 4-year institution with enrollment of approximately 28,000 students. SPC is ranked No. 6 in the nation by the number of associate's degrees awarded for all disciplines and is best known for its programs in the health professions, education and technology. The College's Corporate Training Center is available to customize programs to the needs of any employer.
The only private national liberal arts college in Florida, Eckerd College, has much to offer students. It has been named as one of the five most innovative colleges in the U.S., offering 38 majors to its more than 1,500 students. Eckerd College has been named a Best Buy in Education and its leadership development program has been ranked No.1 in the world. Its Program for Experienced Learners offers bachelor's degrees to students who have to balance their education and outside responsibilities and offers college-level credit for on the job experience.
The Stetson University College of Law, also known as Florida's first law school, has one of the most outstanding advocacy programs in the U.S. It is also the only law school in the nation to win all five national-level law school trial competitions in one academic year. Stetson initiated its first class of part-time JD students in Fall 2002 to serve the needs of working professionals and also offers a full-time joint JD/MBA program.
Pinellas County Schools provides educational services via its network of 80 elementary, 23 middle and 16 high schools. The district also operates a variety of exceptional, community and charter schools, along with centers for adult, technical and vocational education. In the spirit of continued progress, over $146 million has been spent on new school construction and remodeling in the past year alone, with more than $654 million of capital improvements projected to be spent in the next five years.
As the 22nd largest school district in the nation, Pinellas County Schools delivers specialized educational programs to more than 148,000 students. St. Petersburg is home to three of the county's most prestigious magnet programs: The Center for Advanced Technologies at Lakewood High School, the Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Gibbs High School, and International Baccalaureate Program at St. Petersburg High School – ranked 24th in the nation by Newsweek Magazine. As an alternative to public education, Pinellas County is home to more than 100 private schools serving more than 20,000 pre-kindergarten though high school students.
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