About New College of Florida

Founded in 1960, New College of Florida. is a Public college. Located in Florida, which is a city setting in Florida, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 861 full time undergraduate students, and 14 full time graduate students.

The New College of Florida Academic calendar runs on a Four-one-four plan basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 10:1. There are 78 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at New College of Florida include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate71%
Application Deadline
Application Fee30
SAT Range1140-1350
ACT Range26-31

Admissions at NCF are considered Selective, with ,6% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 16 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

98% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 82% were in the top quarter, and 43% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at New College of Florida.

10%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
30%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
60%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
10%
“Sometimes, but not often”
20%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
60%
“All the time, including weekends”
10%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
40%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
70%
“They keep regular office hours”
20%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
10%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
70%
“We only party on weekends”
20%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
56%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
22%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
30%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
60%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
10%
“Sometimes, but not often”
20%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
60%
“All the time, including weekends”
10%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
40%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
70%
“They keep regular office hours”
20%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
10%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
70%
“We only party on weekends”
20%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
56%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
22%
“There”s a huge drug scene”
10%
“We”re apathetic”
0%
“We know about current events and vote”
30%
“We participate and encourage others to get involved”
60%
“There”s nothing we won”t protest”
10%
“We save it for the classroom”
10%
“Sometimes, but not often”
20%
“There”s usually intelligent conversation to be found”
60%
“All the time, including weekends”
10%
“I”m always terrified”
0%
“I only go out in groups”
40%
“I usually let someone know where I”m going”
50%
“I feel extremely safe”
100%
“We don”t play sports”
0%
“We play recreationally”
0%
“We bought the gear”
0%
“We live for the big game”
10%
“It”s not really our thing”
10%
“Occasinally we gallery crawl”
40%
“There are a variety of opportunities”
40%
“We”re a very artistic group”
0%
“Haven”t met them”
10%
“Available in class”
70%
“They keep regular office hours”
20%
“They”re always available”
100%
“No greek life, but other groups to join”
0%
“There is some involvement, but not a lot”
0%
“Plenty of people join a sorority or fraternity”
0%
“It”s everything. If you”re not greek, you”re a geek”
0%
“We”re not into drinking at all”
10%
“Maybe a little, but it”s not a big thing”
70%
“We only party on weekends”
20%
“There”s some drinking happening every night”
0%
“Never, we”re here to learn”
22%
“There might be people who do”
56%
“People are known to partake on weekends”
22%
“There”s a huge drug scene”

New College of Florida REVIEWS

Write a review, Enter to win $1,000 Scholarship
  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    30 Students rated on-campus housing 3.7 stars. 17 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    20 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    29 Students rated campus food 2.2 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    30 Students rated campus facilities 3.7 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    30 Students rated class size 4.7 stars. 80 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    30 Students rated school activities 3.5 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    30 Students rated local services 4 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    30 Students rated academics 4.7 stars. 77 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of New College of Florida?

11 Students rated New College of Florida

Madison - 11/21/2023

I am a transfer 2nd year qualifying student here at New College (meaning this is my first semester here but my graduating year is 2026, not 2027 because of credit I have from duel enrollment in high school). New College of Florida was my dream school when I first toured it in June of 2022. Its a small public liberal arts honors college in Sarasota, Florida with small class size, many diverse majors and unique courses. Its different because its curriculum uses contracts rather than grades (a pass/fail system thats based on professor approval). There was a educational political takeover from Governor Ron DeSantis in January of 2023, which added a plethora of sports teams and fired a lot of faculty and staff including the then president Patricia Okker. He appointed his own board of trustees and made quick and heavy changes to the school eliminated Gender Studies and adding his own ideas on campus improvement. This outraged a lot of current students and alumni, and there were a lot of protests for a while on campus. When I moved in to my dorm on August 20th of 2023, there were new sports teams, a new president named Richard Corcoran (getting paid quadruple what most college presidents make), and a different vibe to the school from when I first had toured it. There was a small disappointment as I thought the strong unique community may have been relinquished. I was worried the divide between athletes and liberal art geeks would be too much and fights would break out . However, since I have been here (currently writing this on November 20th, 2023) things couldn't be better. There's still so much diversity and life thriving on this campus. Its everything that I had hoped for and more. I know as time goes on, Ron DeSantis might install more and more changes and will eventually wipe the slate of the colleges profound core values, however, as of now, I have the opportunity to live through the remaining bit of history New College has to offer.

Randy - 09/16/2020

I truly unique school, that allowed me to continue to explore in my education. I loved the campus culture and the professors truly cared if you learned the material. I also really enjoyed the narrative evaluation system it allowed me to explore more in academics than my friends that went to more traditional schools.

Dominique

Though the students generally leave much to be desired, they are very active and vocal about their opinions; that is for sure. The academics, on the other hand, is my main reason for attending. The school's approach to learning promotes independent thinking and really allows for intellects to thrive. The system, though sometimes complex to outsiders, is refreshing and new. With class sizes being small, there is this teacher-student interaction that is important to have. This college helps prepare you for the real world and really earns its title of being an honors college.

David

I can't imagine having gotten a better undergraduate education anywhere else! Sarasota is a warm beachside city with plenty of great shops and restaurants, and New College's beautiful campus sits right on the bay. Class sizes are small, education is individualized, and the narrative evaluation system keeps the coursework very rigorous. New College students work hard and play hard!

New College of Florida FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at New College of Florida?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for New College of Florida is 71%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    If I could go back in time and talk to myself in high school, the most important advice I could give myself would be to not drop out. I would tell myself that good grades in A.P. classes are not good enough. College doesn't just happen because you get good grades; you have to make it happen. You have to have a plan and take specific classes. I would have told myself to find the guidance councilor and demand an explanation about how to plan for college and scholarships. I would have stressed that being a mother is wonderful, but that it would be much easier to provide for my family if I had gotten my degree first. And even though it is quite an adventure going back to college as an adult and taking classes with my five children, it is much more difficult trying to balance the demands of family, work, and school. I would have told myself that I have to take responsibility for my own life and my own future and to stop waiting for someone else to do it for me.

    Read all  27 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates are an ecclectic bunch. Hippy skirts to high heels. Weird interests to normal. I have a friend who aspires to study dung, and another who will be a top notch physists.

    Read all  9 answers
  4. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school has just been updated and now is known best for nursing as well as pyschology.

    Read all  8 answers
  5. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    No GPA- we are given written evaluations in lieu of grades. Very liberal, extremely open about everything from drug use to sexuality. We study hard but also party hard- Fridays and Saturdays are official party nights. It's very rare to find a party happening on weeknights.

    Read all  7 answers
  6. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    I have found it hard to get any moneys, for school.

    Read all  6 answers
  7. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    A conservative right wing carnivore would probably feel a little out of place. The party scene takes a little getting used to, I was pretty depressed about how much drinking, smoking, and pot smoking went on, and the loud music friday and saturday nights on campus. But its probably not that different from any other school, just more visible, since we won't get in trouble for anything.

    Read all  5 answers
  8. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    The stereotypical New College student would either be a hipster or a hippie. A stereotypical New College student would also do a lot of drugs and shower infrequently. Above all else, though, I think we're a college full of nerds and it's fantastic.

    Read all  5 answers
  9. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing is that it has become very largely a school that revolves around drugs, alcohol and parties.

    Read all  5 answers
  10. What's unique about your campus?

    The small class size and the ability to work with proffessors one on one.

    Read all  4 answers
  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    New College is the best place for brilliant misfits, especially those looking for tiny classes and close, supportive mentorship from the faculty--it is welcoming, safe, creative, and progressive, and it will reward your intellectual curiosity not only in the classroom but in every interaction.

    Read all  4 answers
  12. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    New College of Florida has a very unique grading system. There are no letters or percentages, only narrative evaluations and Academic Contracts. It boils down to "Satisfactory" or "Unsatisfactory" (i.e.: pass/fail). This has its risks and benefits like anything else: it works out nicely in describing the quality of your work and your strengths, and poorly for the same reasons. For example, if you contribute greatly to the class (or don't, and instead appear shy) the teacher can write that down and what your professor says is a part of your grade.

    Read all  4 answers
  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is willing to take school seriously and put all effort into homework, learning, and listening. This school is all about success and will help build up a strong career for its students.

    Read all  3 answers
  14. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    Marx.

    Read all  3 answers
  15. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Activities involve parties with music and themes, and flag-football.

    Read all  3 answers
  16. What are the academics like at your school?

    New College has a unique grading system in that there are no grades and instead you receive satisfactory/unsatisfactory (pass/fail) and a narrative evaluation. I really like the way this takes focus off a number and it seems to take out a lot of the stress most people would ordinarily face. However, I think it's only good for the unique type of student who will know for themselves when they need to be doing better. You get from a class what you put into it. People told me before I came here that the academics here are super hard and nothing compared to AP or IB classes in high school. So far, in the introductory level science classes I'm in (physics and biology), I've found my AP classes to be more difficult, but that might have just been my high school and the fact that I'm passionate about biology. I'm in an intermediate political science class and the first test was a lot more difficult than I expected. New College definitely has unique course offerings. A class I'm in this semester is on Nabokov's Early Novels. I also enjoy the fact that if it doesn't offer a course you have the potential to make your own tutorial. I'm hoping to do a paleontology tutorial next year. Some of the most unique academic opportunities are during the January Independent Study Project (ISP) month. Some students this year are doing "Finding Atlantis ISP" which is actually a creative writing ISP where they will go sailing for two months and write ten interviews with Atlanteans. It's also a good opportunity to do lab research or internships.

    Read all  2 answers
  17. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    People here are abnormally friendly and super nice in person. On the [FORUM], a school-wide e-mail list, a lot of drama and aggressiveness is brought out over frivolous matters. It doesn't help that some students purposefully provoke it, but I suppose that's the culture of the internet these days. However, if you learn to stay out of certain threads and get out more often and actually meet people you will see the best in people.

    Read all  2 answers
  18. What do students complain about most?

    The food at the cafeteria has a lot of complaints, but Four Winds- the cafe on campus- is a great alternative. The Boar's Head in the cafeteria is also a great choice! Nearby there is a lot of small cafe's, too. Big E's and Coffee Loft are two favorite spots!

    Read all  2 answers
  19. What are the most popular classes offered?

    All classes are popular amongst their intended target audience. For me, I get psyched when I see animal behavior or biology classes being offered. Art classes such as welding and sculpture are pretty popular and greek mythology is a favorite. Recently they offered a class on the analysis of Snow White!

    Read all  1 answers
  20. Describe the best and worst parts of the social scene on campus.

    The best is that you know almost everyone- and if you meet new people, you make new friends! The worst would be everyone sticking to the groups they created their first year attending NCF.

    Read all  1 answers
  21. What's the Greek scene like?

    No Greek life is here.

    Read all  1 answers

Student Body

Students

62%

female

38%

male

861

Total Undergrad Enrollment

14

Total Grad Students

19%

Out-Of-State

77%

In-State

4%

International

Organizations

45

Student Organizations

N/A

Fraternities

N/A

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

75%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
3%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
18%
% White or Caucasian
69%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

100% of students attending New College of Florida receive some sort of financial aid. 26% were awarded federal grants. While 34% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$29,944

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$9,009

Room and Board

40,153

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$7,580
$30 - $48K
$6,837
$48 - $75K
$10,079
$75 - $110K
$11,990
$110K & UP
$14,981

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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