The purpose of the State University System of Florida (SUS) is to provide high quality academic degree programs to meet state economic and workforce needs, cutting-edge research to address global problems, and community outreach to improve the quality of life for Floridians.

As required by Article IX, section 7(d) of the Florida Constitution, the State University System of Florida is overseen by the Board of Governors (BOG), which consists of 17 members. Each State University System institution has a 13-member Board of Trustees dedicated to the purposes of the State University System. Each state university's Board of Trustees has the fiduciary responsibility for overseeing university operations, establishing cost-effective policies or regulations consistent with Board of Governors' regulations or guidelines, and implementing and maintaining high-quality education programs in accordance with the university's mission.

The State University System of Florida is comprised of 12 public universities with an enrollment of more than 430,000 students. The system offers Bachelor's, Master's, Advanced Master, Engineering, Specialist, Professional Doctorate, and Research Doctorate degrees. The Board of Governors maintains a complete list of all degrees available at state universities on its website.

The funding information listed below is provided Transparency Florida. Please contact the system for more information on its funding. Additional information about system funding and activities is available on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal.

Performance funds are awarded to state universities based on a funding model approved by the Board of Governors, as outlined in s. 1001.92, Florida Statutes. The model uses clear, simple metrics that align with system strategic plan goals, rewards excellence or improvement, and acknowledges the unique mission of the different institutions.

Nationally, the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is a framework for recognizing and describing diverse colleges and universities in the United States. The framework is used to help researchers group and study similar institutions. Florida’s public universities are categorized into the following Carnegie Classifications.

• Doctoral Universities with Very High Research Activity. Florida International University, Florida State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, and the University of South Florida.
• Doctoral Universities with High Research Activity. Florida A&M University, Florida Atlantic University, and the University of North Florida.
• Doctoral/Professional University. Florida Gulf Coast University.
• Master’s College and University. The University of West Florida.
• Baccalaureate College with an Arts and Sciences Focus. New College of Florida.
• Baccalaureate College of Diverse Fields. Florida Polytechnic University.

For the state's 12 public universities, s. 1001.7065, Florida Statutes, establishes academic and research excellence standards are established for the Preeminent State Research Universities Program.

• Preeminent State Research Universities. Each state university that annually meets at least 12 of the 13 academic and research excellence standards is designated a Preeminent State Research University. Once the university's five-year benchmark plan is approved, the Board of Governors awards the university its proportionate share of any funds provided annually to support the program.
• Emerging Preeminent Research Universities. Each state university that annually meets at least seven but fewer than 12 of the 13 academic and research excellence standards is designated an Emerging Preeminent Research University. Emerging Preeminent Research Universities must also submit a five-year benchmark plan with target rankings on key performance measures.

The Board of Governors is encouraged to identify and grant all reasonable, feasible authority and flexibility to ensure that each designated preeminent state research university and each designated emerging preeminent state research university is free from unnecessary restrictions.

• State Universities of Distinction. The State Universities of Distinction program is intended to recognize and invest in universities recognized by the Board of Governors that can attain national excellence in a core competency. The program is also intended to meet state workforce needs and foster an innovation economy that focuses on areas such as health care, security, transportation, and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program applies to all non-preeminent SUS institutions.

Performance measures and standards for the system may be found in its System Strategic Plan.

OPPAGA Reports and Presentations
A complete list of OPPAGA reports and presentations is available on our website.

Other Reports
State University System of Florida, Allocation Summary and Workpapers
State University System of Florida, Expenditure Analysis
A complete list of Florida Auditor General reports is available on its website.

Websites of Interest
Institute for Higher Education Policy
NASPA FirstGen Forward
State Higher Education Finance
The Institute for College Access & Success

Article IX, section 7(d) of the Florida Constitution and Chs. 1001 Part IV and 1004 Part II and ss. 1009.24 and 1001.7065, Florida Statutes

State University System of Florida Contact Website
State University System of Florida
325 West Gaines Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
(850) 245-0466
Website