Best Online Colleges in Florida 2025
Thinking about earning your degree online? Check out our list of the best online colleges in Florida for 2025, based on factors like affordability and flexibility.
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At a Glance: BestColleges’ Top Online Colleges in Florida
- #1: University of Florida — Florida residents pay just $213 per credit hour for undergraduate programs.
- #2: University of South Florida — 92% of students reenroll the following year.
- #3: Florida International University — Online learners have access to nearly 40 bachelor’s programs and 32 master’s programs.
Want to study in Florida? The Sunshine State has over 160 private and public four-year colleges that attract students from all over the world. And with the growth of online degree programs, those students can attend without actually moving.
Studying online can provide an even cheaper college education, with many Florida distance learning programs offering discounts to out-of-state students.
So, we looked at admission rates, net price, graduation rates, and more to create a comprehensive list of the best online colleges in Florida.
Top Online Colleges in Florida
How We Measured Student Satisfaction: We partnered with College Pulse to bring you data from students themselves on the schools on our list. The data and reviews aren’t part of our ranking methodology.
How We Rank Schools
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Florida Online offers many programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This includes 41 online master’s programs and seven online doctorate programs. Undergraduate offerings include nursing, education sciences, and business administration.
Most UF Online courses are asynchronous, meaning you can complete coursework at your own pace. Plus, you likely won’t have to journey to the school’s Gainesville campus to earn your degree.
Tuition and fees are roughly half of what on-campus students pay.
Pros
- Affordable
- High graduation rate
- Networking opportunities through UF Online Plaza
Cons
- Highly selective
- Flexibility requires self-discipline
- Limited professor access
100%
100%
83%
83%
- Online Enrollment
- 57%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
- $ 4,477
- Retention Rate
- 97%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- $25,694
- Acceptance Rate
- 23%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,442
- Institution Type
- Public
University of South Florida
- Tampa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of South Florida offers some of the most sought-after master’s programs in Florida. Its master’s offerings include criminal justice, social work, and speech-language pathology. USF Online offers eight bachelor's programs.
The Tampa-based institution is a great choice for students from low- and middle-income backgrounds. USF offers one of the highest graduation rates in the state for these student groups, and Pell Grant recipients graduate at a respectable 73% rate, which is second-best in the state.
Pros
- High graduation rate for low-income students
- Popular master’s degree
- Variety of class formats
Cons
- Low admission rate
- Mediocre post-graduation earnings
- Few networking opportunities
67%
$ 3,647
92%
$11,963
- Acceptance Rate
- 41%
- Students Enrolled
- 48,566
- Institution Type
- Public
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Florida International University has among the widest offerings of baccalaureate and master’s programs. With 37 online bachelor’s programs and 32 online master’s programs, you’ll have plenty of degree options to choose from. FIU Online has substantial degree offerings in hospitality management and cultural/international studies, including Afro-Latin American studies and Asian studies.
The school takes pride in creating an online experience conducive to learners of all ages and backgrounds.
Pros
- Many degree options
- 59% admission rate
- Robust online system
Cons
- Mediocre graduation rate
- No doctoral degrees
- Flexible schedule requires discipline
100%
100%
67%
83%
- Online Enrollment
- 67%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
- $ 6,168
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- $18,566
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Students Enrolled
- 54,085
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
The University of Central Florida is among the best thanks, in large part, to its high retention and graduation rates. It is also, however, among the priciest public universities in the state.
UCF Online boasts a high number of graduate degree options, with 42 online master’s programs and four online doctoral programs. Its online bachelor’s degree offerings include programs in English language, social sciences, and legal studies. UCF has multiple master’s programs in different civil engineering disciplines.
Pros
- On-demand instruction
- High graduation rate
- Many master’s degree options
Cons
- Low completion rate among low-income students
- High net price
- Few networking opportunities
100%
100%
83%
83%
- Online Enrollment
- 9%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
- $ 6,368
- Retention Rate
- 92%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- $22,467
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 68,842
- Institution Type
- Public
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
Why We Chose This School
Florida Atlantic University offers one of the cheapest online degree programs in the state. Its programs are also highly accessible, as FAU has one of the more lenient admission requirements in Florida.
FAU Online doesn’t have a plethora of different online programs, but it is lauded for its various master’s degrees in different business topics, including business administration, business analytics, and international business. You can also earn a bachelor’s in common subjects like nursing or computer science, among other fields.
Pros
- Relatively low cost
- High acceptance rate
- Many business school offerings
Cons
- Comparatively poor graduation rate
- Low post-graduation earnings
- High student-to-faculty ratio
100%
78%
56%
100%
- Online Enrollment
- 68%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State
- $ 6,099
- Retention Rate
- 84%
- Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
- $21,665
- Acceptance Rate
- 73%
- Students Enrolled
- 30,849
- Institution Type
- Public
Why Should I Attend College in Florida?
- Quality Instruction: Florida colleges often rank highly on our lists due to their standout educational offerings. In fact, students at the state’s public, four-year schools have the highest graduation rate (82.4%) in the country — based on the percentage of students completing their studies within six years.
- Low In-State Tuition: Florida residents pay much lower in-state tuition than students in other states: around $3,840 per year at public institutions, compared to the national average of $8,780.
- Diverse Classrooms: Due to its strategic location, Florida is an international educational hub, attracting over 44,500 international students both online and in the classroom.
How Much Is Tuition in Florida?
Institution Type | Average Tuition and Fees |
---|---|
Public 4-Year (In-State Student) | $3,840 |
Public 4-Year (Out-of-State Student) | $13,992 |
Private 4-Year | $23,812 |
The cost for a four-year, public college in Florida is typically just under $4,000 per year for in-state students, compared to nearly $14,000 for out-of-state students. Private colleges cost even more — around $24,000 per year, which is roughly six times the in-state rate of public colleges.
However, many students qualify for financial aid, including grants and scholarships, which lowers the overall cost of attendance.
Florida residents can access federal aid opportunities by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, there are state-specific programs like the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which can cover up to 100% of your tuition if you attend a public institution and meet the program’s requirements.
Still, the cost of living can be high in Florida — higher than in most other states. This is particularly true if you attend a school in higher-cost areas of the state, like Miami or Fort Lauderdale, where median monthly rent exceeds $2,500.
Online learning is one way to avoid the additional expenses often tied to traditional, on-campus education. For instance, studying online can save you money, on things like gas, rent, and meals.
Additionally, many online colleges offer scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for online students. Some online universities also offer flat-rate tuition prices regardless of where you live.
Accreditation for Colleges in Florida
In Florida, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has long been the primary accreditor for four-year, degree-granting institutions.
But a new state-level accreditor has stepped in as a potential accreditor for Florida’s public institutions: the Commission for Public Higher Education (CPHE).
There is currently some controversy over whether the agency will be taken seriously due to its initial political leanings. So for now, it’s best to look for schools with SACSCOC accreditation.
Note that both online and traditional colleges typically receive accreditation from the same agencies. However, verifying the accreditation of online colleges is particularly important because it can help you avoid online programs that are masquerading as legitimate learning institutions.
If you’re enrolling in a specialized program, like teaching or nursing, you’ll want to ensure that it holds programmatic accreditation.
For instance, nursing programs in Florida should be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). For teaching programs, the top accreditor is the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Students can search the Department of Education’s accreditation database to determine their school’s accreditation status. For programmatic accreditation, you’ll want to look at the program’s page on your school’s website.
Most In-Demand Jobs in Florida
Job | Job Growth Rate (2022-2032) | Median Annual Salary (May 2024) | Minimum Education Required |
---|---|---|---|
Nurse Practitioners | 59% | $129,010 | Master’s degree |
Data Scientists | 47% | $105,820 | Bachelor’s degree |
Information Security Analysts | 42% | $105,990 | Bachelor’s degree |
Statisticians | 39% | $104,160 | Master’s degree |
Solar Photovoltaic Installers | 39% | $46,130 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Computer and Information Research Scientists | 39% | $164,620 | Master’s degree |
Physician Assistants | 38% | $127,200 | Master’s degree |
Actuaries | 38% | $123,220 | Bachelor’s degree |
Physical Therapist Assistants | 38% | $66,100 | Associate degree |
Medical and Health Services Managers | 37% | $106,280 | Bachelor’s degree |
Health and technology occupations like nurse practitioners, data scientists, and information security analysts are projected to see the most growth in Florida over the next several years. Each of these is anticipated to grow by more than 40% by 2032.
All these roles boast high median salaries, exceeding $100,000 a year. And aspiring data scientists and information security analysts typically only need a bachelor’s degree.
Nurse practitioners, on the other hand, need to earn a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), become a registered nurse (RN), complete a doctoral nursing program, and pass a national board certification exam.
Frequently Asked Questions About Colleges in Florida
The University of Florida (UF) is the best college in Florida, according to our ranked list. Florida residents pursuing undergraduate degrees at UF enjoy an average tuition of less than $5,000 a year. Tuition is even lower for in-state online students. The institution also boasts a high retention rate of 97%, proving that most UF students want to return the following year.
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Seven Florida colleges had student enrollments of over 40,000 in 2022, making them some of the largest schools in the country.

by Jordan Stewart-Rozema, Ph.D.
Updated July 11, 2024
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