Stetson University

Stetson University dares its undergraduate and graduate students to go beyond success – to go instead to significance. For more than 135 years, Stetson’s mission has remained constant, engaging students with rigorous academics and instilling civic values for life.

Stetson is an independent university offering a comprehensive education in the arts and sciences, business, law, and music. Founded in 1883 as Florida’s first private university, Stetson today has three locations across Central Florida: DeLand, Tampa, and Gulfport. The College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business Administration, and the School of Music are on the historic campus in DeLand, a community-minded city between Daytona Beach and Orlando. The university also includes the Tampa Law Center and the College of Law in the Gulfport and St. Petersburg area. The university has achieved national distinction through special programs and accreditations. Stetson was the first private university in Florida to be awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa--the nation’s oldest and most prestigious undergraduate honor society--and consistently earns high national rankings for academic excellence and community-engaged learning.

Why Stetson University

• Campus: DeLand is home to Stetson University's main campus. Recognized as one of the top small towns in America by Parade Magazine, CNN and the Orlando Sentinel, DeLand is the quintessential college town. Founded in 1876 and centrally located between Orlando and Daytona Beach, DeLand offers visitors and students the chance to explore museums, shopping and a variety of excellent dining options. The surrounding area provides easy access to numerous natural springs, state parks, world-class beaches and a variety of boating and outdoor activities enjoyed year-round in the fabulous Florida weather.
• Student Wellness: One of the biggest opportunities Stetson can offer is a place to learn how to live a healthy and happy life! Wellness at Stetson seeks to enhance the individual and collective health of the community through a wide range of programs, initiatives, services, and resources. Through partnerships with campus departments, community agencies, student organizations, and peer mentors, Stetson works to develop, empower, and advocate for a campus and community environment that creates, emphasizes and supports healthy choices and positive decision-making skills.
• Getting Involved: Getting involved with clubs, intramurals, and other programs isn't just a way to stay busy at Stetson; research shows that student engagement is directly linked to better academic performance, connectivity to the institution, and higher levels of satisfaction with your collegiate experience. The diversity of students and their interests is one of Stetson's biggest strengths, and it has involvement and leadership opportunities in many areas. With over 140 student organizations and multiple opportunities for leadership development in various departments, Stetson provides students with many ways to get involved both on and off campus.