Keiser University Opens New Ocala Campus

Keiser University now has a new campus in Ocala, Florida. The Ocala campus is located at 1601 NE 25th Avenue near the Ocala medical corridor. The campus offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in high-demand fields including Nursing, Health Care, Business, Information Technology, and Criminal Justice. Students have access to experienced faculty and personalized support services. If you live in Marion County or a surrounding county, this campus was built for you.

What You Should Know Before Starting at the New Ocala Campus

What programs does the Keiser University Ocala campus offer?

• Undergraduate programs in Nursing, Health Care, Business, Information Technology, Marketing, Legal Studies, Sports Management, Psychology, Criminal Justice, and more.
• Master’s and doctoral programs in select fields.
• View the full list of graduate and undergraduate programs on the Ocala campus page.

Who does the Ocala campus serve?

• Students from Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Levy, and Alachua counties
• Working adults, first-time college students, and transfer students
• Students who want a job-ready education close to home
• Online learning is also available for students looking for a flexible schedule

What does the campus look like?

• Spacious classrooms and industry-standard laboratories
• Technology-enhanced learning spaces
• A library with internet access and computer workstations
• Student services resources
• Ample on-site parking

What learning formats are available at the Ocala campus?

• One class at a time format, so students can focus without juggling multiple subjects
• Online and hybrid formats are available for added flexibility
• On-campus classes 

Is Keiser University accredited?

Yes. Keiser University holds accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), one of the most widely recognized regional accrediting bodies in the country.

For students across Central Florida searching for colleges in Ocala, Florida, a new option just opened its doors. Keiser University launched the Ocala campus in June 2026, bringing career-focused higher education to one of the state’s fastest-growing regions. The timing is personal for the institution, as Keiser University approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027; the University continues to expand opportunities for students across Florida and beyond.

Ocala’s Economy By the Numbers

Keiser University’s career-focused model is built around the jobs employers are actually hiring for, so it helps to look at the local labor market that the Ocala campus is designed to serve. The numbers below show a growing regional economy, with health care and education among its largest and fastest-expanding sectors, exactly the fields the campus prioritizes.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Ocala, FL, Economy at a Glance – July 22, 2026.

Table of Contents

1. Why Ocala, and Why Now
2. What the Campus Offers
3. Programs at the Ocala Campus
4. A Milestone 50 Years in the Making
5. Who the Campus Serves
6. How to Get Started
7. Why Keiser University
8. Frequently Asked Questions

Why Ocala, and Why Now

Ocala has changed. The city that once defined itself primarily through horse country and tourism now ranks among Florida’s fastest-growing workforce hubs. Healthcare, business, logistics, and advanced manufacturing have expanded steadily across Marion County, and the Ocala BLS reflects the following data: total nonfarm employment in the Ocala metro area grew 1.8 percent year over year as of December 2025, with education and health services alone accounting for close to 22,000 jobs of the region’s roughly 127,000 jobs.

That kind of growth creates demand for trained professionals. It also creates a problem for residents who want to pursue a degree without having to drive hours to reach a campus. The Keiser University Ocala campus addresses that directly.

“Ocala is one of Florida’s fastest-growing regions,” said Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., at the June 2026 opening announcement, describing the city as a hub for healthcare, business, logistics, and workforce development. The campus, he said, reflects Keiser’s commitment to “meeting students where they are.”

The Ocala campus sits near Silver Springs Boulevard and the Ocala medical corridor, putting it close to employers students may work with after graduation. Students from Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Levy, and Alachua counties all have reasonably direct access.

What the Campus Offers

The Ocala campus was built to support serious academic work, with industry-standard laboratories, technology-enhanced classrooms, a library with internet-enabled workstations, dedicated academic and student support, and on-site parking for commuters.

The format reflects what Keiser does across its Florida campuses. Many courses run in a focused, sequential format, which means students concentrate fully on one subject before moving to the next. For working adults managing jobs and family, that structure tends to work better than juggling multiple courses at once.

Online and hybrid options extend access further for students who cannot always be on campus. Both formats offer the same rigorous curriculum.

Programs at the Ocala Campus

The campus focuses on fields where Marion County employers need workers. Current program areas include:

• Nursing
• Health Care
• Business
• Information Technology
• Criminal Justice

Programs range from associate through doctoral levels, giving students room to start wherever they are and continue as their goals develop. 

A Milestone 50 Years in the Making

Keiser University was founded in 1977 by Dr. Arthur Keiser and Evelyn Keiser. As the university approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, the opening of the Ocala campus marks a significant milestone and represents a meaningful expansion in the institution’s history.

Vice Chancellor Belinda Keiser described the opening as “an investment not only in students, but in the future workforce and continued prosperity of Central Florida.” That framing matters: the campus reflects Keiser University’s commitment to serving the Ocala community and residents in the surrounding region. 

Keiser now operates 19 Florida campuses alongside an online division, 4 international campuses, and 12 international centers. The Ocala opening reflects both demand for higher education in the region and the gap Keiser is now positioned to help fill.

Keiser University Overview Since 1977

Who the Campus Serves

The Ocala campus was built for students who need a campus nearby. That includes:

• First-generation college students in Marion County who want to stay close to home.
• Working adults who need flexible scheduling and a format that fits around their lives.
• Career changers who need credential or degree programs aligned with the healthcare and business growth happening in the region.
• Transfer students who want to complete a bachelor’s or graduate degree without relocating.

Students searching for a university in Ocala that offers bachelor’s and graduate programs now have a local option that does not require a commute to Gainesville or Orlando.

Admissions requirements for undergraduate programs generally include a high school diploma or GED. Students with questions about their specific situation should contact an admissions counselor directly rather than rely on general guidelines.

How to Get Started

Located at 1601 NE 25th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34470, the campus is easily accessible, with directions available from multiple locations. 

• From Interstate 75, take Exit 354 toward Ocala, head east onto Silver Springs Boulevard (State Road 40), travel approximately four miles, then turn left onto NE 25th Avenue. The campus is roughly half a mile north on the left.
• From downtown Ocala, head east on Silver Springs Boulevard, turn left onto NE 25th Avenue, and continue for half a mile.
• For students arriving from Silver Springs State Park, travel west on State Road 40 toward Ocala, turn right onto NE 25th Avenue, and continue north.

Find contact information and more details about the Ocala location at the Keiser University Ocala campus page.  Submit the quick Request Information form to connect with an admissions counselor who can answer your questions and help you find the program that’s right for you. 

Why Keiser University

Keiser stands out as one of Florida’s leading universities by consistently aligning its educational model with workforce needs and ensuring academic programs reflect real-world employer demands. Keiser University designs programs that prepare graduates for today’s evolving workforce and to achieve career success. 

Keiser stands out among Florida institutions for consistently prioritizing workforce outcomes, ensuring academic programs reflect real-world employer demands. 

Forty-nine years of operating Florida campuses have taught the university something about what students in this state actually need. The Ocala opening reflects that: a campus positioned near regional employers, offering programs in the fields those employers are actively hiring for, with a class schedule format that does not assume students have nothing else going on in their lives.

At Keiser University, students benefit from:

• A private, nonprofit university accredited by SACSCOC
• Over 100 programs at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels across 19 Florida campuses.
• Career-focused curriculum designed around workforce expectations, not just academic tradition.
• Small class sizes and personalized faculty relationships.
• Online, hybrid, and one-class-at-a-time formats to fit different schedules.
• Dedicated student services from enrollment through graduation.
• A student-first philosophy is built into how the university operates, not just how it markets.

Learn more at Why Keiser.

Keiser University’s Ocala campus is now open and enrolling students in Nursing, Health Care, Business, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, and more. Visit the Ocala Campus Page

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Keiser University Ocala campus located?

The campus is at 1601 NE 25th Avenue, Ocala, Florida 34470. It sits near Silver Springs Boulevard and the Ocala medical corridor, with straightforward access from Interstate 75 and downtown Ocala. On-site parking is available for students who commute.

When did the Ocala campus open?

The campus opened in June 2026, just months before Keiser University celebrates 50 years of operation in 2027. It brings the total number of Keiser Florida campuses to 19, alongside the university’s online division, 4 international campuses, and 12 international centers.

What degree levels are available at the Ocala campus?

The campus offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Since programs and delivery formats vary, students should review the current program list at the Ocala campus or contact an admissions counselor to learn more about availability for their specific area of interest.

Which counties does the Ocala campus serve?

The campus is positioned to serve students from Marion, Citrus, Sumter, Lake, Levy, and Alachua counties. These are the primary counties in the surrounding region, though students from other areas are also welcome to enroll. The Ocala campus also offers flexible learning with online classes.

How is Keiser University’s Ocala campus different from a community college?

Keiser University is a private, nonprofit university offering programs from the associate through doctoral level. That means students who start with an associate degree can continue all the way to a graduate degree within the same institution. Students in Marion County who have weighed options such as technical schools will find that Keiser offers a continuous degree pathway within a single institution, alongside specific program accreditations and employer partnerships that support career placement after graduation.

Does Keiser University offer online programs for Ocala-area students?

Yes. Keiser University offers online and hybrid formats across many programs. Students in the Ocala area who prefer the flexibility of online learning can still access Keiser’s career-focused curriculum and student support services without attending every class in person. The campus page lists the programs and the format each program offers.

What are the admissions requirements for the Ocala campus?

Undergraduate programs at Keiser University generally require a high school diploma or GED. Graduate programs carry additional requirements depending on the field of study. For questions specific to your background and goals, speaking directly with an admissions counselor will give you a clearer picture than any general answer can.

Is financial aid available for Ocala campus students?

Keiser University has a financial services team that helps students understand their options, including federal aid, scholarships, and tuition guidance. Students should visit Financial Services or contact the campus directly to discuss what may apply to their situation. No specific aid amounts or scholarship values can be guaranteed in advance.

How does the one-class-at-a-time format work?

Many Keiser University courses run in an accelerated, one-at-a-time sequence. Instead of balancing several subjects simultaneously, students concentrate on one course, complete it, then move to the next. For students managing work, family, or other obligations, this format tends to be easier to schedule around and often leads to stronger focus and retention. Not every program uses this format, so contact the admissions team to learn about details that apply to your chosen field of study.

About Keiser University

Since 1977, Keiser University has been empowering students to achieve their career goals through career-focused, accredited education. As one of Florida’s largest private, non-profit universities, Keiser is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC, ensuring degrees are respected by employers and other institutions nationwide. Founded by Dr. Arthur Keiser and Evelyn Keiser, the university is built on a student-centered model designed to support working adults, transfer students, and first-time college learners.

As a Keiser University student, you’ll benefit from:

• Over 100 degrees from associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs aligned with today’s workforce.
• Flexible learning options, including on-campus, online, hybrid, and one-class-at-a-time formats.
• Personalized academic and career support, with dedicated faculty and career services.
• Financial aid, scholarships, and tuition guidance to help make education more accessible.
• Recognition as the No. 1 university in the U.S. for Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report (2023).
• Proud membership in the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).
• Almost 50 years of educational excellence with a proven focus on student success and outcomes

Don’t wait to start building your future. Contact Keiser University today to learn how our accredited programs, financial aid options, and career-focused approach can help you move forward with confidence.

Call toll-free 888-KEISER-9, contact a Keiser campus near you, or schedule a campus tour to take the first step toward your dream career. For students across Central Florida searching for colleges in Ocala, Florida, Keiser University is now closer than ever.