Best Online Colleges In Florida Of 2024
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Universities and colleges across the country have made education more accessible than ever with online learning. Online colleges make schooling more feasible for prospective students with work or other commitments. They also offer reduced travel requirements and, in some cases, even cost savings.
But with dozens of online colleges in Florida, choosing the right school may prove challenging. To make that process a little easier, we put together a list of the 10 best online Florida colleges offering bachelor's programs. We highlight what makes each school special and how each online campus approaches its programs. We also offer some tips for making the best school decision.
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We scored 85 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online bachelor's degree programs in Florida using 16 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes, student experience and application process. We pulled the data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites.
We scored schools based on the following categories:
Student Outcomes:
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Student Experience:
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Application Process:
We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 80.03% or higher. All of the schools on our final list offer at least five online bachelor's degree programs.
Find our full list of methodologies here .
University of FloridaUndergraduate Tuition
$129/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeThe University of Florida (UF) traces its origins back to 1853 with the East Florida Seminary. In 2014, the Gainesville, Florida, school established UF Online with more than 20 online bachelor's programs and over 10 minors. Online majors include anthropology, environmental management, sport management and criminology, among many others.
At UF Online, you can study full time or part time and take breaks from your studies when you need.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$180/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeFounded in 1851, Florida State University (FSU) is based in Tallahassee, Florida, and is the oldest university in the state. The school offers more than 270 programs, including six online bachelor's options. For its online students, FSU provides online mentoring and access to a well-equipped virtual computer lab.
Though most programs run entirely online, some courses may feature in-person requirements.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$105/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeFounded in 1956 in Tampa, Florida, the University of South Florida (USF) enrolls more than 50,000 students. As one of nearly 37,000 undergraduates, you can choose from over 200 programs, including seven online bachelor's degree completion options.
While most classes in these programs run online, practicums, internships and clinical requirements may require in-person attendance. Online students pay a $30 distance learning fee per credit.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$105/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeSince its founding in 1963, the University of Central Florida (UCF) has become one of the largest schools in the nation with more than 68,000 students. The school boasts more than 240 programs, including over 30 fully online bachelor's programs.
UCF's online classes provide an immersive experience and may help learners accelerate their studies. Online students pay an $18 distance learning fee per credit, but they save over $30 per credit in other fees compared to on-campus students. UCF is situated in Orange County, Florida.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$3,432/semester credit (full time, in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeWhen Florida International University (FIU) opened in Miami, Florida, in 1972 with over 5,500 students, it was the largest school opening in the nation's history. FIU has since grown tenfold, enrolling over 56,000 students today and still standing as one of the country's biggest schools.
To better accommodate learners from all over, FIU introduced online learning in 1998 and now offers over 50 online bachelor's programs. Online learners work with success coaches from the start, and some programs offer career readiness training. Online students should note a distance learning fee of $30 per credit.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$219/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeEstablished in 1963 in Pensacola, Florida, the University of West Florida (UWF) offers more than 110 program options. As one of over 13,000 students, you have a choice of more than 20 online bachelor's programs, each with multiple start dates and flexible study schedules.
If you register as an out-of-state student, UWF charges higher tuition rates, but you may qualify for a tuition waiver to pay the same rates as Florida residents.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$203/credit (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeFlorida Atlantic University (FAU) first opened in 1964 in Boca Raton, Florida. The school now has six campuses and over 30,000 students in more than 170 programs, including eight online bachelor's programs. As a distance learner at FAU, you may major in public management, geography, computer science or nursing, among other options.
Depending on their path, FAU students may qualify for the Programs of Strategic Emphasis waiver, which reduces tuition costs for Florida residents.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$420/credit
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeFounded as the Florida Baptist Institute in 1943 in Lakeland, Florida, the Baptist College of Florida (BCF) took up its current home in Graceville, Florida, in 1957. Nearly 70 years later, the school offers just under 20 programs in total, all of which you can complete online. At BCF, you can pursue majors in the categories of general education, business, music and worship, teacher education and theology.
While you can take your program courses entirely online, you must attend chapel 12 times per semester at minimum.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$340/credit
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeOriginally founded in Orlando as the South Florida Institute in 1883, Florida Southern College (FSC) remains the oldest private college in the state. Now in Lakeland, Florida, the school offers online programs from three academic divisions.
At FSC, you can build a personalized schedule and accelerate your program if you want. The four available online degrees accommodate working professionals with fully online schedules or a blend of online and evening and weekend classes.
As an online learner, you pay less than half the on-campus tuition rates. You also pay a lower technology fee, which costs between $30 and $120 per semester, depending on your course load.
What To Know
Undergraduate Tuition
$2,277/semester (in state)
Overall Student Retention Rate
Overall Graduation Rate
's TakeFlorida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) has been educating learners for over 100 years and now offers fully online degrees in a primarily asynchronous format. Online students can take advantage of synchronous opportunities to build community with their instructors and peers.
FAMU's bachelor's-level online offerings include six majors in criminal justice, global security and international affairs, information technology, psychology, nursing and sociology. Psychology majors can pursue either a BA or a BS.
What To Know
Online colleges in Florida often offer flexible delivery formats, which may allow you to maintain your current job or keep up with your busy schedule while completing your degree. Plus, you might save money by reducing travel and accommodation expenses.
But online programs also require a particular skill set, including self-motivation and time management—especially if your program is asynchronous. To thrive in this type of learning environment, you must stay organized and on task without the oversight or peer accountability found in a traditional classroom.
When deciding whether online college makes sense for you, think about your scheduling and learning style needs. If you require something more interactive and structured than asynchronous online classes can provide, consider synchronous, hybrid or in-person classes instead.
Best Online Colleges By StateJust as with traditional colleges, students must ensure their online schools hold institutional accreditation. If your college or university is not properly accredited, you may be ineligible for federal student aid, credit transfers and graduate school. Moreover, some employers do not recognize unaccredited degrees.
Institutional accreditation also serves as a quality assurance marker, signaling to prospective students that a school meets or exceeds stringent standards for faculty quality, student resources and graduate outcomes.
Institutional accreditation comes from organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The most common institutional accreditor for Florida colleges is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
How To Find the Right Florida Online College for YouConsider Your Future Goals
Your chosen online school should help you meet your career and academic goals. Choose a college or university that offers a degree in your desired field and, if applicable, a specialization or minor in your particular area of interest. Some schools emphasize hands-on experience and networking opportunities, which can bode well in your eventual job search.
If you plan to attend graduate school after earning your bachelor's, prioritize research-based universities with programs that fulfill the prerequisites for the graduate degree you want to pursue. You might even look for an undergraduate university that also offers your desired grad degree to make the transition a bit easier.
Understand Your Expenses and Financing Options
Compared to national averages, Florida's college students pay relatively low tuition rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics , Florida's in-state public school students paid $4,541 in tuition and fees for the 2020-21 year, while out-of-state students paid $18,322. Private school students paid $28,860.
Comparatively, the national averages were $9,375 for in-state public school students, $27,091 for out-of-state public school students and $32,825 for private school students. For a 120-credit bachelor's degree, annual tuition prices for the schools on this page fall between $3,152 and $12,600—significantly lower than Florida's statewide averages. This indicates that the best online colleges in Florida offer a particularly strong value.
To help fund your degree, you can start by completing the FAFSA, which puts your hat in the ring for federal student aid, including loans, grants and work-study programs. You can also pursue scholarship opportunities through your chosen school and third-party organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Online Florida CollegesCan you do online college in Florida?
Yes. For this ranking, we evaluated 85 accredited, nonprofit colleges and universities in Florida that offer online bachelor's degrees.
How much is online college in Florida?
Online Florida colleges vary in price depending on the school and program. For our top 10 picks, tuition ranged between $105 and $420 per credit. Online students may also incur technology or distance education fees.
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Doug Wintemute - Education Writer
For nearly a decade, Doug Wintemute has specialized in helping students and professionals make sound education and career decisions. In addition to Forbes Advisor, his work has been featured on many online publications, including ZDNet, Bankrate and NurseJournal.
