Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
2024Want 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.
Featured Online Programs
Top Florida Online Colleges of 2024
- In-State$4,477
- Out-of-state$25,694
- In-State$10,770
- Out-of-state$27,335
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled55,781
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
Miami, FL- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate90%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled56,664
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled70,310
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Nova Southeastern University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,510
- Out-of-state$33,510
- In-State$21,153
- Out-of-state$21,153
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled20,898
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment52%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$20,800
- Out-of-state$20,800
- In-State$29,632
- Out-of-state$29,632
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate96%
- Students Enrolled19,861
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment50%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
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.
| 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 |
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
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.
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