South Florida State College

South Florida State College (SFSC), with campuses in Highlands, DeSoto and Hardee counties, is one of 28 colleges within the Florida College System. As of 2012, South Florida Community College became known as "South Florida State College."

SFSC was founded in 1965 and serves around 16,000 students a year. The 228 acres (0.92 km) Highlands Campus is located two miles (3 km) south of Avon Park, Florida. The college is on an isthmus, bounded on the north by Lake Lelia, to the south by Lake Glenada, and to the west by U.S. Highway 27. SFSC is a public college offering college credit certificates, occupational certificates, and associate degrees in more than 60 fields of study as well as bachelor of science degrees in nursing and elementary education, and a bachelor of applied science degree in business management and supervision. Through the SFSC University Center, SFSC partners with other four-year colleges and universities to offer selected bachelor's and master's degrees. Specialized courses are geared for adult education needs and course work is offered through a combination of traditional classroom and distance learning instruction. An athletic program fields teams in women's volleyball, women's softball, and men's baseball.