The Best Online Colleges in Florida
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Studying in Florida yields more than beautiful beaches and sunny weather: The state also offers great higher education options, including affordable tuition and online learning.
Online colleges in Florida offer undergraduate programs in hundreds of fields of study. With the fourth-largest economy in the United States, Florida provides numerous employment opportunities, especially in the life science, aviation, and aeronautics industries. Professionals with bachelor’s degrees can also pursue managerial roes in Florida’s strong financial services and tourism sectors.
The best online colleges in Florida accommodate the state’s need for well-educated professionals. Florida is home to the State University of Florida System, which includes 12 public universities, plus more than 30 private institutions of higher learning, which are all members of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. Many of these schools offer both online and on-campus learning opportunities.
Featured Online Schools
Earning an online bachelor’s degree in Florida is a convenient, flexible option for working professionals and students with busy schedules. This article offers a comprehensive look at the best online colleges in Florida.
The Best Online Colleges in Florida
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 Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled69,402
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
University of Florida
- Gainesville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$3,358
- Out-of-state$15,000
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate32%
- Students Enrolled3,926
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online EnrollmentN/A
- 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 Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled58,711
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
University of West Florida
- Pensacola, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,735
- Out-of-state$16,004
- In-State$7,088
- Out-of-state$22,166
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate31%
- Students Enrolled12,557
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment66%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Atlantic University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,522
- Out-of-state$14,374
- In-State$5,467
- Out-of-state$16,695
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate63%
- Students Enrolled30,061
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment49%
- AccreditationYes
The Baptist College of Florida
- Graceville, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- In-State$4,320
- Out-of-state$4,320
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate94%
- Students Enrolled455
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment75%
- AccreditationYes
Southeastern University
- Lakeland, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$25,620
- Out-of-state$25,620
- In-State$12,810
- Out-of-state$12,810
- Retention Rate65%
- Acceptance Rate48%
- Students Enrolled9,894
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Lynn University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,680
- Out-of-state$36,680
- In-State$13,320
- Out-of-state$13,320
- Retention Rate71%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled3,247
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment46%
- AccreditationYes
Palm Beach Atlantic University
- West Palm Beach, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$31,920
- Out-of-state$31,920
- In-State$10,260
- Out-of-state$10,260
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate95%
- Students Enrolled3,691
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment24%
- AccreditationYes
Northwest Florida State College
- Niceville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,496
- Out-of-state$9,552
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled5,025
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment55%
- AccreditationYes
Florida State College at Jacksonville
- Jacksonville, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,095
- Out-of-state$7,947
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled24,605
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment74%
- AccreditationYes
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Daytona Beach, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$9,912
- Out-of-state$9,912
- In-State$8,268
- Out-of-state$8,268
- Retention Rate52%
- Acceptance Rate62%
- Students Enrolled13,773
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment93%
- AccreditationYes
Florida Southern College
- Lakeland, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$36,860
- Out-of-state$36,860
- In-State$16,909
- Out-of-state$16,909
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate52%
- Students Enrolled3,305
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment34%
- AccreditationYes
Everglades University
- Boca Raton, FL
- 4 year
- Online
- In-State$17,520
- Out-of-state$17,520
- In-State$19,200
- Out-of-state$19,200
- Retention Rate63%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled2,247
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment65%
- AccreditationYes
Webber International University
- Babson Park, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$24,782
- Out-of-state$24,782
- In-State$17,496
- Out-of-state$17,496
- Retention Rate55%
- Acceptance Rate42%
- Students Enrolled735
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment29%
- AccreditationYes
Eastern Florida State College
- Cocoa, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$1,892
- Out-of-state$7,573
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled15,352
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment48%
- AccreditationYes
Daytona State College
- Daytona Beach, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$3,072
- Out-of-state$11,960
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled13,430
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment57%
- AccreditationYes
Seminole State College of Florida
- Sanford, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$2,393
- Out-of-state$9,494
- In-StateN/A
- Out-of-stateN/A
- Retention RateN/A
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled17,754
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment51%
- AccreditationYes
Keiser University
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$19,808
- Out-of-state$19,808
- In-State$27,162
- Out-of-state$27,162
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance RateN/A
- Students Enrolled19,567
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
American University
- Washington, DC
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$49,070
- Out-of-state$49,070
- In-State$30,351
- Out-of-state$30,351
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled14,318
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Florida
2023
Online Colleges in Florida Ranking Guidelines
We ranked these degree programs based on quality, curricula, school awards, rankings, and reputation.
Employment in Florida
The top industries in Florida include tourism, aviation and aeronautics, and financial services. The tourism sector in Florida experienced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but is still a major employer in the state. Florida is also home to nearly 2,000 aerospace and aviation establishments, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 4% growth in employment for airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers from 2022-2032.
Florida has the third-largest number of insurance and banking institutions in the country, including the headquarters of 15 global banks. According to the BLS, financial managers are projected to see 16% growth in employment nationwide from 2022-2032.
The cost of living in Florida slightly exceeds the national average, in large part due to high transportation and housing costs. Unemployment rates in Florida have fluctuated dramatically, unemployment is at 2.8% in September 2023.
Below, you’ll find salary rates for the highest paying careers available to individuals with a bachelor’s degree in Florida. The careers selected each employ more than 1,000 people in the state of Florida. Salary rates are specific to Florida, while the job growth projections represent the nation as a whole.
| Career | Annual Mean Salary | Projected Job Growth (2022-2032) |
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $148,900 | 4% |
| Chief Executives | $100,090 | 3% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $164,070 | 15% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $159,920 | 4% |
| Financial Managers | $139,790 | 16% |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $136,620 | 23% |
| Sales Managers | $130,600 | 4% |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
Online degrees often mirror their on-campus counterparts. Students complete the same course requirements, although individual classes may vary in presentation. Online programs may include asynchronous and synchronous components, depending on the school and area of study. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many on-campus programs have transitioned online, expanding options for online learners.
Online learners can earn associate degrees from community and state colleges and universities in Florida. For example, the Florida College System includes 28 community and state colleges across 72 campuses. At Daytona State College, students can complete an associate of arts or an associate degree entirely online. Those degrees also meet the requirements to transfer to a bachelor’s program at a four-year institution.
Florida students can also earn online graduate degrees. For example, the University of Florida (UF) offers a master’s in business administration, while Florida State University (FSU) offers an online graduate degree in criminology. Students can also earn an accelerated online MBA from UF in as few as 16 months if they already hold an undergraduate degree in business.
