Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024
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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.
Featured Online Programs
Top Online Colleges in Florida of 2024
We use trusted sources like
Peterson's Data
and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.
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University of Florida
Gainesville, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $129
Out-of-State | $553
Credits to Graduate: 120
Thanks to its affordable in-state tuition rate and variety of online programs, this public university ranks as the best online college in Florida. Located in Gainesville, the University of Florida charges Florida residents just $129 per credit in online tuition.
You can earn a degree in business, liberal arts, or science at UF Online. Programs in nursing, public relations, and computer science emphasize practical skills. UF also reports retention and graduation rates of over 90%, demonstrating the university’s commitment to student success.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Florida International University
Miami, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $236
Out-of-State | $649
Credits to Graduate: 120
At Florida International University, you can earn an undergraduate or graduate degree online. Miami’s public research university offers more online bachelor’s programs than any other college in Florida.
FIU Online offers more than 50 majors, including programs in biology, communications, economics, and finance. Or specialize in hospitality management to prepare for careers in one of Florida’s largest industries.
FIU enrolls nearly 56,000 students and boasts an alumni network of 165,000 in South Florida, making it a great choice for local students who prefer the flexibility of an online learning format.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Credit:
In-State | $179
Out-of-State | $716
Credits to Graduate: 120
More than 70,000 students enroll at the University of Central Florida, the largest public university in the state. And you can also earn your degree online with more than 100 options. UCF Online pairs you with a personal success coach who helps you choose from over 25 majors offered in a fully online format.
Taught by 200 tenure-track faculty, the online bachelor’s programs prioritize flexibility and affordability. You can study English, nonprofit management, psychology, or sociology at UCF. Or choose a unique program like lifestyle community management.
ROI Value Score: High
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Annual Full-Time Tuition
In-State | $35,880
Out-of-State | $35,880
Credits to Graduate: 120
This private institution in Fort Lauderdale is one of the best online colleges in Florida. Founded in 1964, Nova Southeastern University offers 90 online programs. You can major in criminal justice, elementary education, or health science. Or you can earn a graduate degree in computer science, counseling, or nursing.
NSU also offers evening and weekend classes from its nine regional campuses, including a campus in Puerto Rico, to give students flexible options to earn their degrees.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
Keiser University
Fort Lauderdale, FL - 4 years
- Online + Campus
Cost per Year:
In-State | $23,248
Out-of-State | $23,248
Credits to Graduate: 120
Earn your degree from an online college that prioritizes hands-on learning and flexible scheduling. At Keiser University, a private institution based in Fort Lauderdale, you gain career-focused experience. Employers also evaluate the curriculum, which incorporates practical and real-world skills.
Choose from online associate programs, bachelor’s degrees, or graduate programs at Keiser. You can major in business, engineering, criminal justice, or nursing. The interdisciplinary studies major offers a customizable degree plan to maximize transfer credits.
ROI Value Score: Medium
We’ve reviewed hundreds of schools to find the ones that give you the best bang for your buck.
We compared how much you could earn in 10 years with a degree from this school versus only having a high school diploma. Then we compared that amount against school costs and financial aid opportunities. A higher return for your investment results in a higher score for this school.
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.
Ranking Methodology Summary
To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:
- Affordability (30%)
- Student outcomes (30%)
- Reputation (20%)
- Diversity and social mobility (20%)
In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.
Florida College Tuition
College tuition runs far cheaper in Florida than the national average. Undergraduates attending public four-year colleges in Florida in 2021-2022 paid $4,613 for tuition and fees, about $5,000 less than the national average.
Private college students in Florida also pay less, spending an average of $29,605 in tuition and fees, while the national average for private college tuition was $34,041 in 2021-2022.
Online colleges in Florida 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 100.7%. 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 29th 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?
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.
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 Online, which in fall 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.
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.
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.