Brandon is located close to a variety of upper level educational institutions, including universities, a community college and several technical schools.

The University of South Florida, recognized as one of the nation's top metropolitan research universities, offers more than 200 undergraduate, masters, specialist and doctoral programs, including a doctoral of medicine. In addition, the school boasts a nationally competitive Division I athletics program.

USF's main campus in north Tampa which is easily reached from Brandon via I-75 and its Downtown Center, just minutes away by the Crosstown Expressway, provide classes in Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Public Information and Health Administration.

The 11,000 sq. ft. Downtown Center also offers convenient and free parking, fl exible room confi gurations and telephones with free local calls, all at no additional charge. Training and assistance to local businesses, graduate degree programs, videoconferencing capabilities and a computer lab also are offered.

USF has branch campuses located throughout Tampa Bay and Florida, plus online and televised courses. Visit http://www.usf.edu/ or call 813-974-2100 for more information.

The University of Tampa, a mediumsized comprehensive, private university offering small classes and located on approximately 100 acres of riverfront land in the heart of downtown Tampa, features a College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the John H. Sykes College of Business, offering about 100 areas of study and pre-professional programs.

An Evening College also offers degree programs. Graduate programs are available for Teaching, Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Nursing and Innovation Management. The MBA program is one of the largest in Florida and UT is one of the elite private schools in the Southeast to have AACSB accreditation. Call 813-253-3333 for additional details or visit http://www.utampa.edu

Hillsborough Community College offers branches throughout the region, including one in Brandon. HCC's Brandon campus offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs in fi elds such as Biology, Spanish, Accounting, English, Earth Sciences and others.

The Brandon campus can be reached at 813-253-7802. Visit http://www.hccfl.edu for further details.

Other college options include the University of Phoenix, Gulf Coast College, Florida Metropolitan University, Northwood University, Strayer University, Nova Southeastern University, Keiser University, and The Corporate Training Center at HCC. Part of the Hillsborough County school system, Brandon's public elementary, middle and high school are predominately A and B-rated and schools, programs and teachers regularly receive national recognition for their excellence.

Additionally, the area features top-rated charter and magnet schools, pre-kindergarten and exceptional student programs. To find out more about Hillsborough County Schools, visit http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.