Your Guide To Miami Dade College

Background

• Tweet

Miami Dade College is a state-supported college with eight campuses and numerous outreach centers. With more than 174,000 students, it is the largest institution of higher education in the United States. It offers Bachelor and Associate degrees, as well as Certificate programs. Over 90 courses are available online.

Miami Dade College opened its doors in 1960 as Dade County Junior College. It was nicknamed Chicken Coop College because of the original buildings that were renovated for classrooms. It was Florida’s first integrated junior college and became the largest institution of higher education in the state by 1967. Over the years, the name changed to Miami Dade Junior College, then Miami Dade Community College. In 2003, the college introduced four year degrees and changed its name to Miami Dade College.

• Known for: Largest institution of higher education in the U.S.  Alumni include music industry icon Emilio Estefan, movie star Sylvester Stallone, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and Major League baseball’s Alex Sánchez.

• Cost:  2011-2012 Lower division: Florida resident, $105.48 per credit; Out-of-state student, $376.97 per credit. 2011-2012 Upper division: Florida resident, $116.64 per credit; Out-of-state student, $520.52 per credit.

• Class size:  The average class size is 25 students, with a student/faculty ratio of 24:1. “We may be the largest college in the nation, but we offer the optimal class size to get to know your professors and classmates.”

• Student facts (2009): Average student age is 26.  62% of students attend on a part-time basis. 59% of Miami Dade students are female, 41% are male.

• Fun fact: In 1984, Miami Dade started Books by the Bay, which evolved into the Miami Book Fair International.