With 162 degree-granting institutions statewide, Florida ranks fifth among the 50 states for its amount of colleges. Prospective students may choose from public and private institutions, junior colleges, for-profit schools, and accredited online colleges in Florida. While these schools offer degrees and majors in every subject, certain fields of study are more prominent in the Sunshine State.
Many online colleges in Florida offer tourism and hospitality degrees to prepare students for careers in one of Florida's largest industries. With 135 million tourists visiting Florida annually, it's a promising field for recent graduates entering the workforce.
Students can also pursue degrees in the state's other major industries, including agriculture, international trade, aviation, life sciences, and financial services. Thanks to Florida's many postsecondary institutions, many graduates find work in education and academic research.
This guide can help each prospective student choose a program that aligns with their budget, lifestyle, and career goals. Read on to learn more about the best online colleges in Florida, potential job paths for graduates, and how to pay for a degree through scholarships and other tuition breaks.
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Overview of Online Colleges in Florida
A Brief Overview of Higher Education in Florida
According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Florida is fifth only to California, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania in its number of colleges and universities. Of these institutions, 41 public schools include 40 four-year universities and one community college. The state is also home to 57 private, nonprofit postsecondary schools. Fifty-three nonprofit schools are four-year institutions. In addition, Florida maintains 60 for-profit postsecondary schools.[dataviz-stats public="41" non-profit="57" for-profit="60"]NCES data reveals that in 2022, 999,223 students attended classes at one of these institutions. While each school charges different tuition rates according to institutional policies, enrollment status, and state of residence, examining average costs can help prospective degree candidates develop a budget.College Board estimates that in-state students enrolled at public four-year institutions spend an annual average of $11,260, while those enrolled at public two-year institutions pay an average of $3,990 per year. University of Florida, one of the state's flagship universities, charges $3,876 per year for in-state online students and $16,580 for out-of-state learners.Fortunately, students and their families can reduce out-of-pocket costs by attending online colleges in Florida. Learners can pursue degrees at Florida's many affordable online colleges that charge below-average tuition rates. Additionally, many degree candidates receive federal or state financial assistance. During the 2021-22 school year, 138,979 students received the Florida Student Assistance Grant. The state also awarded more than $665,000,000 in scholarships and grants not based on need.Additionally, many degree candidates receive federal or state financial assistance. During the 2021-22 school year, 138,979 students received the Florida Student Assistance Grant. The state also awarded more than $665,000,000 in scholarships and grants not based on need.
Higher Education in Florida
The State of Online Higher Education in Florida
As of 2019, Florida claims 1,066,78 higher education students. Of these learners, about 37% take at least one class through online colleges in Florida. Florida ranked 17th in the country for its proportion of students enrolled exclusively in online programs, with about 21% of its enrollees pursuing distance education.[dataviz-nces online="17" undergrad="68.1" in-state="69"]
Best Online Colleges in Florida
Explore our rankings of Florida's best online four-year programs below. Our profiles look at how schools approach accredited online education and list their services for distance students and fully online degrees. After reviewing the best online schools in Florida, explore our state resources, like a database of every college and university in Florida or our index of popular in-state scholarships.
Ranking Methodology
To determine the best online colleges in each state, we examined the factors most important to prospective students: Academic quality and reputation, online program strength, and cost and student aid. At the most basic level, we use the following formula to determine the best online colleges: Academic Quality + Online Offerings + Cost and Student Aid = Final Score. Of course, there's more to these calculations than meets the eye. Visit our methodology page to discover the data points that shape our formula and to learn more about the process we use to rank schools.
College Graduate Outlook in Florida
Tuition Breaks for Out-of-State Students
Some Florida-based universities offer tuition breaks for non-resident learners. For example, Florida State University – Panama City provides a special rate for Alabama and Georgia residents who live within 50 miles of the Florida state line. Schools in these or other states may offer similar benefits to Florida residents.Florida also participates in the Southern Regional Education Board's Academic Common Market. This program allows students in 15 southeastern states to access qualifying programs at participating colleges for in-state rates. Programs can be graduate or undergraduate but must not be offered at a public college in the student's home state.One other Florida-specific tuition break is the grandparent waiver. Created in 2021 by the Florida legislature, this program provides a tuition and fee waiver for up to 110% of total degree hours for qualifying undergraduate students who reside with their grandparents in Florida. Recipients must attend four-year public colleges in the state.
Job Opportunities in Florida for College Graduates
The third-largest state in the U.S., Florida ranks fourth from the top in annual gross domestic product, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.Driven by its natural beauty, acclaimed theme parks, and flourishing healthcare industry, Florida's economy continues to accelerate. Tourism, healthcare, therapy, and business technology are all top-growing industries in the Sunshine State, bringing new jobs to state residents. In March 2024, the BLS reported that Florida's unemployment rate stood at 3.2%, lower than the national average of 3.8%.According to World Population Review, 30.5% of the state's adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The Florida Department of Education reports that in 2021, people with a bachelor's degree earned between $51,500 and $65,300, considerably higher wages than high school graduates, who averaged $30,680 in annual income.