The purpose of this study was to investigate and clarify the present status and future direction of independent higher education in Florida, and to present recommendations that may help strengthen this sector of Florida higher education. The report examines: (1) student enrollment; (2) curriculum and degrees granted, the faculty, their degrees, load, salaries, and employment conditions, and instruction including the use of different types of media, libraries, and approaches to innovation and evaluation; (3) the cooperative efforts among the independent colleges and between the public and private institutions; (4) the public image of these institutions and their efforts to create the "right" impression; (5) the extent and depth of the master planning effort concerning physical facilities; and (6) the financial stability or plight of the private institutions, including a summary of the opinions of these institutions' presidents, fiscal officers, and board chairmen on the financial problems. The last section of the report presents the views of the institutions' presidents and board chairmen on the future of independent higher education in general, and their institutions in particular. The appendices include: a financial report; the study participants; the curriculum study; and the interview schedule. (AF)