Best Online Colleges in Florida 2025

Q: What is the easiest online college to get into in Florida?

The Florida Institute of Technology Online in Melbourne, Florida, is one of the easiest online colleges to get into in the Sunshine State. The college admitted 92% of applicants in the fall of 2022. On the other end of the spectrum, the University of Miami, which admitted 19% of the 49,169 applicants in the fall of 2022, has one of the most selective admission processes in Florida, according to NCES. UM offers 10 online master's and doctoral programs and 12 certificates.

Q: Is it hard to get into the University of Florida online?

The University of Florida online is easier to get into than the University of Florida main campus. In fall 2022, the University of Florida received 64,473 applications and accepted 23%. Compare that to UF's online school, which in the fall of 2022 got 1,499 applications and admitted 65%. You can apply to UF's main campus as a first-year, transfer, graduate, or professional student. Transfer students to the main campus need at least 60 college credits, while UF Online accepts lower-division transfer students with only 12 credits.

Q: Is online college free in Florida?

No, an online degree is not free in Florida. That said, you can find non-credit online courses at institutions such as South Florida State College. Florida students may also apply for fee waivers or exemptions, which provide discounts or an entirely free education. Students from foster care or those who meet financial need requirements may apply.

Q: What is the fastest degree to get online?

You can find accelerated degrees in a variety of subjects: art, business management, English, and computer science. Many colleges allow online learners to complete traditional degrees faster than average timelines. Shortened semesters may allow students to take more classes per academic year, and generous transfer policies allow you to graduate quicker. For instance, Everglades University offers a bachelor's in business administration that you can complete in three and a half years instead of the traditional four years.

Sunshine, coastline, and prestigious schools attract students to Florida. Discover more about the benefits of attending an online college in Florida.

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Updated September 26, 2025

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2025

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 traveling to Florida.

Florida offers affordable living costs for college students and tuition well below the national average. Studying online in Florida can provide an even cheaper college education, with many distance learning programs offering discounts to out-of-state students.

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In this Article

2025 Best 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.

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

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

College Pulse Student Survey

100%

Overall Score

100%

Academic Quality

83%

Recommend

83%

Would Attend Again

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

Student Satisfaction Per College Pulse Survey Data

Very Satisfied

83.3%

Satisfied

16.7%

Not Satisfied

Student Review AI Summary

Out of 6 student reviews, University of Florida is consistently described as fun, innovative, friendly. Additionally, most feedback was positive about their overall experience so far; students surveyed were generally satisfied with the quality of instruction; students rated the social life positively.

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%

Online Enrollment

$ 3,647

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

92%

Retention Rate

$11,963

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State

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

College Pulse Student Survey

100%

Overall Score

83%

Academic Quality

67%

Recommend

83%

Would Attend Again

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

Student Satisfaction Per College Pulse Survey Data

Very Satisfied

33.3%

Satisfied

66.7%

Not Satisfied

Student Review AI Summary

Out of 6 student reviews, Florida International University is consistently described as positive in several areas. Additionally, most feedback was positive about their overall experience so far; students surveyed were generally satisfied with the quality of instruction; students rated the social life positively.

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

College Pulse Student Survey

100%

Overall Score

100%

Academic Quality

83%

Recommend

83%

Would Attend Again

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

Student Satisfaction Per College Pulse Survey Data

Very Satisfied

50%

Satisfied

50%

Not Satisfied

Student Review AI Summary

Out of 6 student reviews, University of Central Florida is consistently described as welcoming, fun, modern, flexible. However, some note that it can be expensive. Additionally, many reported positive experiences with the quality of instruction; most feedback was positive about their overall experience so far; most would recommend the college to a prospective student.

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

College Pulse Student Survey

100%

Overall Score

89%

Academic Quality

56%

Recommend

100%

Would Attend Again

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

Student Satisfaction Per College Pulse Survey Data

Very Satisfied

66.6%

Satisfied

33.3%

Not Satisfied

Student Review AI Summary

Out of 9 student reviews, Florida Atlantic University is consistently described as fun, supportive, friendly, accessible. However, some note that it can be isolated. Additionally, students surveyed were generally satisfied with their overall experience so far; students were generally willing to recommend the college; many reported positive experiences with the quality of instruction.

Florida College Tuition

College tuition runs far cheaper in Florida than the national average. Undergraduates attending public four-year colleges in Florida in 2022-2023 paid $4,540 for tuition and fees, about $5,000 less than the national average.

Private college students in Florida also pay less, spending an average of $30,928 in tuition and fees, while the national average for private college tuition was $35,248 in 2022-2023.

Florida online colleges may offer a more affordable education since you don’t need to pay for transportation and on-campus housing fees, though online learners sometimes need to pay technology fees not charged to on-campus students.

In addition, online tuition often costs less than studying on campus. For instance, in-state undergrads at the University of Florida pay $6,380 per year, while in-state undergrads at UF Online pay $3,876 per year. In this case, attending the University of Florida Online will save you nearly 50% in tuition.

Tuition for 10 Popular Florida Colleges 2023-24
University	In-State Tuition	Out-of-State Tuition
Everglades University	$20,768	$20,768
Florida Atlantic University	$4,879	$17,324
Florida Institute of Technology Online	$12,240	$12,240
Florida State University	$5,656	$18,786
Nova Southeastern University	$37,080	$37,080
The University of West Florida	$6,360	$19,241
University of Central Florida	$6,368	$22,467
University of Florida Online	$3,876	$16,579
University of Miami	$59,926	$59,926
University of South Florida	$6,410	$17,324

Source: NCES

Why Study Online in Florida?

Online learning offers many benefits beyond convenience, affordability, and flexibility. Here are five reasons you should consider online universities in Florida.

1. Study at Your Own Pace

Online learning blends independent study with live or prerecorded lectures, discussions, and virtual assistance. As an online learner, you may work primarily asynchronously, meeting deadlines each week, or attend live classes, where you can interact with instructors and classmates.

2. Lower Cost of Living

Florida offers a moderate cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 102.4%. The cost-of-living index measures the cost of housing, food, healthcare, and other basic expenses in a state compared to the national average. Florida has the 33rd lowest cost of living.

3. More Diverse Classrooms

Many Florida colleges accept online learners from across state lines or even internationally, which allows you to make connections across the nation and world. Online programs attract a diverse selection of students to learn with and from.

4. Flexible and Convenient Format

You can earn your degree online without traveling to campus or attend a hybrid program that incorporates in-person learning. Students can choose classes that work around their work schedule and family life.

5. Growing Job Market

Florida saw a 2.6% job growth rate from July 2022-2023, compared to 1.9% nationally, according to the Florida governor’s office. In fact, the private sector in Florida added 42,800 jobs in July 2023. Students attending college in Florida will graduate into a healthy job market.

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Florida

What is the easiest online college to get into in Florida?

Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida, is one of the easiest online colleges to get into in the Sunshine State. The college admitted 100% of applicants in the fall of 2023.

On the other end of the spectrum, the University of Miami, which admitted 19% of the 48,286 applicants in the fall of 2023, has one of the most selective admission processes in Florida, according to NCES. UM offers 10 online master’s and doctoral programs and 12 certificates.