Daytona State College's Commitment to Academic Excellence and Student Success

Daytona State College's Commitment to Academic Excellence, Student Opportunity and Public Accountability

Daytona State College, founded with innovation at its core and within a culture of continuous improvement, provides opportunities with educational programs that transform students’ lives and communities we serve. We take pride as an outstanding leader in the Florida College System and as a dynamic, nationally recognized institution known for quality, affordable and in-demand programs. The College contributes to a vibrant economy, embraces a student-centered focus, and aspires to provide life-changing opportunities for tomorrow’s global leaders as one of the top state colleges in the country.

Transparent and Equal Admissions Standards

Daytona State College is committed to transparent, mission-driven, merit-based admissions criteria that treat students equally.

The College is focused on serving the citizens of Volusia and Flagler counties. Our transparent admissions process emphasizes the open-enrollment model with limited-access exceptions, readiness standards, and equal-opportunity non-discrimination policies. Student qualification is reflected principally through documented prerequisites, state-established readiness measures, satisfactory prior coursework, and completion of published admission requirements.

Free Speech and Open Inquiry

Daytona State College is committed to promoting free speech and the marketplace of ideas, and creating open and honest debate while ensuring campuses are centers of free thought and civil discourse.

Innovation and creativity are the keys to our growth as an institution, as well as the growth and success of our students. Daytona State is able to adapt to a rapidly changing world, finding positive and creative solutions to the challenges it faces. The College recognizes the importance of intellectual and academic freedom, freedom of expression, individual viewpoints, and the pursuit of truth in teaching and learning in our society. We celebrate both the originality and distinction of individuals while valuing the common bonds that unite us as a global community.

Intellectual Pluralism and Academic Vitality

Daytona State College is committed to academic integrity and excellence in hiring practices, free from ideological indoctrination.

The Daytona State College community is built upon mutual respect, effective and open communication, and civic responsibility. Students, faculty and staff are able to work, teach and learn in an environment that encourages critical thinking skills, welcomes differences, and explores different views and perspectives. Daytona State firmly believes in the open exchange of ideas and to achieve academic excellence, professionalism, and quality in all the programs and services we offer, the College employs a system of continuous improvement based on assessment, accountability and engagement with the entire community.

Affordability, Value and Student Outcomes

Daytona State College is committed to higher education being affordable and efficient so that students have a valuable return on their educational investment.

Affordability is central to our mission and we take pride in the fact that Daytona State is one of the most affordable, transparent, and efficient colleges in the nation. The College celebrates 16 consecutive years with no increase in tuition or associated fees, and in 2015, Daytona State was the only state college in Florida to lower tuition, reducing rates by 2%. The College also offers a robust dual enrollment program, providing college courses to students while still in high school at no cost to their families.

Academic Standards and Rigor in the Age of AI

Daytona State College is committed to the highest academic standards in teaching and learning that embrace rigorous standards and promote opportunity in the age of artificial intelligence.

U.S. News & World Report continues to rank Daytona State College among the nation’s best for online bachelor’s programs – marking the 14th consecutive year the College has earned this distinction. DSC also remains the top-ranked non-university college in the United States for online bachelor’s programs. DSC earned additional rankings for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, Best Online Bachelor’s Business Programs, Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs, and an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), to name a few. In 2023, Daytona State College took the lead on AI with the creation of a cross-functional AI Governance Committee to establish ethical and academic AI usage in the classroom and the workplace.

Safeguarding Academic Integrity from Foreign Influence

Daytona State College safeguards the integrity of academic programs by requiring the disclosure of foreign funding and agreements.

College employees follow federal and state laws and regulations related to gifts, grants, partnerships, or agreements with foreign principals, colleges, or universities based in foreign countries of concern, and DSC has no current agreements with foreign countries of concern.

Prioritizing State and National Interests

Daytona State College is committed to prioritizing American interests and values so that prosperity is promoted, supported, and enhanced throughout our state and nation.

The College is the economic engine of east central Florida and is fully committed to providing workforce-oriented programs that serve the needs of the community. The College is among the nation’s Top 100 Associate Degree Producers and on average, DSC Associate of Science graduates earn $63,282 annually one year after graduating. Our baccalaureate degree graduates earn an average of $65,873.

Our students, faculty and staff promote civic literacy not only in the classroom, but also offers engaging and informative activities on all campuses throughout the year, Constitution Day, Patriot Day/September 11 Remembrance, student civic debates and contests, as well as participating in the inaugural “FCS Sunshine State Debate.”

Daytona State College is honored to serve those who have served, their families, and those who are pursuing careers in the military, and enrolled almost 800 veterans and qualified dependents last year. Daytona State has been designated a Gold Status 2026-2027 Military Friendly ® School Top Ten, and a 2026-2027 Military Spouse Friendly ® School. The College is a proud Purple Star School of Distinction, and partners with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Bethune-Cookman University, University of Central Florida, and Stetson University to offer Army and Air Force ROTC training to all interested and eligible students.