Location

Some call it the perfect vacation spot. You’ll call it home.

Whether you’ve lived in Florida your whole life or your time at SEU is your first time in the Sunshine State, you’ll never run out of things to do here in Central Florida. So come and love life among the palm trees and tropical breezes — guaranteed to keep you sunny side up all year long.

72º

average winter high

91º

average summer high

Apply to SEU for FREE with code LKLD.

Fast Facts

Florida isn’t just beautiful and fun. Check out these impressive stats.
  • Our state has consistently been ranked #1 in the nation for higher education,* which was confirmed again in 2024
  • Florida is ranked #7 nationwide for having a strong economy.*
  • When it comes to attracting and retaining workforce talent, Polk County is Number 9 nationwide and Florida is number 1 nationwide**

Discover Lakeland

With an awesome mix of great places to eat, beautiful places to visit, fun things to do, and great people to meet, Lakeland is the perfect hometown for your college years — and after!

Here’s Why You’ll #LoveLakeland

Lakeland has just the right balance of small-town connectivity and city-based excitement, and plenty of opportunities for work experience during your college years.

Thanks to our centralized location, strong local economy, and supportive community, Lakeland is a popular hub for entrepreneurs and houses locations for national companies. In fact, many nearby businesses hire SEU students and alumni, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to stay right here after you graduate!

Fast Fact

Lakeland was ranked #2 nationwide for the fastest-growing places in the U.S. in 2022–2023.

Easy Access

Lakeland is about an hour away from two international airports — Tampa (TPA) and Orlando (MCO) — so catching your next flight is a breeze.

Local Hangs

A young man with a backpack walks outside of the Joinery Food Hall in Lakeland, Florida.

Downtown farmer’s market 

Craft coffee shops

Drive-in movie theater 

Running paths & trails 

Monthly food truck rally

300+ churches & ministries 

Downtown bicycle rentals 

Sun ’n Fun Fly-in

Detroit Tigers Spring Training 

Downtown Lakeland — Shopping, dining, entertainment, antiques

The Joinery 

Lakeland Magic Basketball 

Lakeside Village — Shopping, dining, entertainment

Unique restaurants

Polk Museum of Art

38 lakes and 47 parks

Hollis Gardens

Circle B Bar Reserve

…and much more

Explore Central Florida

You’ve heard of our world-famous theme parks and some of the nation’s best beaches, but there’s even more to experience right here, all close to SEU! From entertainment to local events to shopping and dining, you’ll find endless activities to fill your weekends and create unforgettable memories.

Soak up some rays or catch some waves! You won’t have to go far to experience some of the nation’s best beaches. Lakeland is centrally located between the Gulf Coast — where you can visit some of our favorite sunny spots like Clearwater Beach or Anna Maria Island — and the Atlantic Ocean, where the surf and spray abound in surfer havens like Melbourne Beach and Cocoa Beach.

Steeped in history but always full of new things to do, you’ll love exploring Tampa and the surrounding areas on the weekends. Grab coffee at Buddy Brew Coffee, fill up on delicious tacos at Bartaco, tee off at Top Golf, or take a stroll through Downtown St. Petersburg.

Armature Works
Bok Tower Gardens
Busch Gardens
Caladesi Island
Clearwater Aquarium
Florida Aquarium
Fort De Soto Park
Golf courses
Gulf beaches
Hyde Park Village

Indie Flea Market
Museums
Professional sports (NFL, MLB, NHL)
Sparkman Wharf
State Parks
Strawberry Festival
Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa/St. Petersburg shops & eats
Zoo Tampa
…and so much more!

There’s more to Orlando than theme parks and resorts. In this ever-growing metropolis, you’ll find unique markets, exciting entertainment, and fantastic eats.

Atlantic beaches
Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center
Golf courses
Madame Tussauds
Museums
Orlando Eye
Orlando shopping & entertainment
Professional sports (NBA, MLS)
Sea Life Orlando
SeaWorld
State Parks
Universal Studios Florida
Walt Disney World Resort
Water parks
Wekiwa Springs
…and so much more!

How to Find Us

Driving Directions from Orlando and Tampa on Interstate 4 (I-4)

  • Take I-4 to exit 33 and travel south on Route 33 (Lakeland Hills Blvd.).
  • Lakeland Hills Blvd. becomes Massachusetts Ave. as you cross Memorial Blvd.
  • Continue to Bartow Rd. (U.S. 98) and turn left.
  • Follow Bartow Rd. and turn left onto North Crystal Lake Dr.
  • Turn left onto Longfellow Blvd.

Due to the unpredictable nature of traffic in the Central Florida area, we highly recommend building in additional travel time when coming to campus, especially if your driving plans include traveling I-4 as part of your journey.

Our campus is conveniently designed so that students don’t need to drive between classes in order to get from building to building — everything is within walking distance! All students are permitted to have a car on campus.

No car? No problem! The City of Lakeland’s bus service, Citrus Connection, ensures students can still get around town as needed. Bus service is available 6 days a week and is free for SEU students (with valid student ID). We even have a bus stop on campus.

These hotels partner with SEU to host our visitors and guests in Lakeland. Use the below links and mention you are visiting SEU when you book.

AddressPhone

Distance

from Campus

Courtyard by Marriott Lakeland

Discount Code: 7UN

3725 Harden Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33803

863.802.90005.4 miles

TownePlace Suites

Discount Code: 7UN

3370 Highway 98 North
Lakeland, FL 33803

863.680.11156.7 miles

Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeland – South Polk Parkway

3630 Lakeside Village Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33803

863.603.76008.2 miles

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lakeland South

3405 S. Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33803

863.606.10004.0 miles

Home2 Suites  Lakeland

3610 Lakeside Village Blvd

Lakeland, FL 33803

863.500.68695.7 miles

Hyatt Place (RP Funding Center, Downtown Lakeland)

Call for discounted rate for SEU guests or use group/corporate code 33291 online

525 W. Orange St.
Lakeland, FL 33815

800.993.47513.4 miles

The Terrace Hotel (Downtown Lakeland)

Call for discounted rate for SEU guests

329 E Main St.
Lakeland, FL 33801

863.688.08003.2 miles

La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland East

4315 Lakeland Park Dr.
Lakeland, FL 33809

863.815.06067.1 miles

La Quinta Inn & Suites Lakeland West

1024 Crevasse St.
Lakeland, FL 33809

863.859.28666.3 miles

Residence Inn Lakeland

Discount Code: 7UN

3701 Harden Blvd.
Lakeland, FL 33803

863.680.23235.4 miles

Fairfield Inn Lakeland

Discount Code: 7UN

4307 Sterling Commerce Dr.
Plant City, FL 33566

813.757.620210.2 miles

JW Marriott Orlando

Discount Code: 7UN

4040 Central Florida Pkwy.
Orlando, FL 32837

407.206.230045.2 miles

The Ritz Carlton Orlando

Discount Code: 7UN

4012 Central Florida Pkwy.
Orlando, FL 32837

407.206.240045.5 miles

Springhill Suites by Marriott

Use this link when booking

511 West Lime St.
Lakeland, FL 33815

407.206.24003.0 miles

Apply to SEU for FREE with code LKLD.