St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg, Florida, United States · Est. 1927 · Public University

Florida's first two-year college, now offering associate and bachelor's degrees across Pinellas County.

  • Founded September 12, 1927, as St. Petersburg Junior College by Captain George M. Lynch
  • Public college, part of Florida College System; serves 23,501 undergraduates (fall 2022)
  • Offers 300+ associate degree, certificate, and transfer programs; 22 bachelor's degrees
  • Multiple campuses across Pinellas County with no on-campus housing
  • NJCAA Region 8 athletics (Titans); 92% of Associate in Science graduates employed or continuing education
  • Endowment of $32.1 million (2024); FY 2025 budget of $182.1 million

Academics

St. Petersburg College offers over 300 associate degree, certificate, and transfer programs, including 22 bachelor's degrees and numerous workforce certifications and short-term training opportunities. The college operates multiple specialized learning sites across Pinellas County, including the Caruth Health Education Center (health care programs) and Seminole Campus (technology programs). Through the University Partnership Center, SPC offers 60 bachelor's degrees and 39 graduate degrees in partnership with 16 accredited institutions including Florida State University, University of Florida, and University of Central Florida. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

Campus & Student Life

SPC operates nine campuses and learning sites across Pinellas County, including locations in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Seminole, and Pinellas Park. The college does not offer on-campus housing due to its decentralized campus structure. Recent campus reconstructions at St. Petersburg/Gibbs and Clearwater campuses achieved LEED Gold Certification, marking the first such certification for higher education facilities in Pinellas County. SPC also operates three collegiate high schools. The athletic program competes in NJCAA Region 8 (Suncoast Conference) with men's basketball and baseball teams, and women's basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball teams.

Admissions

St. Petersburg College maintains an open-door admission policy for students with a high school diploma or equivalent. The online application takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. The college welcomes first-time students, returning students, transfer students, and international students (with restrictions on online enrollment for certain countries). Career assessment tools through Career Coach help students discover majors and in-demand careers based on interests, with customized information for the Tampa Bay area.

Outcomes & Value

According to the college, 92% of Associate in Science graduates find jobs in their fields or continue their education after graduation. SPC tuition is approximately 50% less per credit hour than state universities. The college generates significant economic impact, with data showing SPC generates $3.5 billion for the Tampa Bay economy. SPC's online bachelor's programs were named Best in Tampa Bay by U.S. News & World Report in 2026, ranking highest in the region for Best Online Bachelor's Programs (Overall), Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Business, and Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans.

Founded
1927
Type
Public University
Courses
10
Total intake
Not yet verified
AffiliationFlorida College System
Websitehttps://www.spcollege.edu
HousingNot available
Some details are still being verified.

Quick stats

Courses offered
10
Avg career outcomes
$42.6K
Total intake
Not yet verified
Housing
No
Data last verified June 2026 · compiled from official sources