History of Daytona State College

Over 67 years, Daytona State College has evolved from a small campus into an academically superior multi-campus institution providing educational and cultural programs for the citizens of Volusia and Flagler counties.

Prior to becoming a college, the grounds of what is now Daytona State were used during World War II as the 2nd Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Training Center Cantonment Area, home to 14,000 WACs at its peak in 1943. The Center closed in March 1944 and reopened three months later as the Welch Convalescent Center, which treated wounded servicemen returning from overseas.

In 1957 the Florida Legislature authorized Daytona Beach Junior College (DJBC) as one of the state's first comprehensive colleges. The college was divided into three divisions: college credit, adult education and the Mary Karl Vocational School. Although the divisions were administered by one president, they essentially functioned as separate entities under the Volusia County School System.

Volusia County Community College, also a separate entity under the school system, merged with DBJC in 1965. The 1968 Legislature combined the divisions into a single administrative unit under a District Board of Trustees, independent of the county school system. In 1971, the official name of the college was changed from Daytona Beach Junior College to Daytona Beach Community College. In 2008, the District Board of Trustees and the state of Florida approved the college's request for yet another name change – Daytona State College. This was done to reflect the institution’s transition to a four-year institution offering workforce baccalaureate degrees.

Today, Daytona State offers more than 100 certificate, associate and baccalaureate degree programs, with graduates serving in critical fields that include healthcare, emergency services and public safety, business, education, hospitality, engineering, project management, accounting, computer science, digital media, and more. The college also offers the Associate of Arts University Transfer degree, which provides students the first two years of a four-year bachelor's degree, saving students and their families thousands of dollars in the process.

As a Level II state college, the institution also offers the Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management, as well as seven bachelor's degrees in education, including: Mathematics (grades 6-12), Biology (grades 6-12), Earth/Space Science (grades 6-12), Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12), Chemistry (grades 6-12), Physics (grades 6-12) and Elementary Education (grades K-6). The college also offers the Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Cardiopulmonary Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree.

Daytona State prides itself on its ability to provide students with affordable tuition, convenient and flexible course scheduling, and an expanded array of online programs. The college's online bachelor's programs have been rated among America's best by U.S. News and World Report every year since 2013. In addition, the U.S. Department of Education placed Daytona State's annual tuition for full-time students among the top 50 most affordable in the nation.

Over the years, the college has fostered a tradition of excellence in academics and service to a growing community. A leading partner in the area's workforce and economic development initiatives, Daytona State is continually developing new means to deliver educational services to the community. The college now serves approximately 23,000 students annually.