Colleges in Florida
Why Go to College in Florida?
Florida has just about everything a college student might want. The state has a thriving economy and a wealth of online and brick-and-mortar schools to meet the diverse backgrounds, needs, and career interests of any student. Additionally, Florida students enjoy the state's several professional and college sports teams, a thriving nightlife, and its trademark sunny climate. All together, Florida is one of the most college-friendly — and online college-friendly — states in the nation.
What Options are Available for Colleges in Florida?
On-Campus
While Florida has many small liberal arts colleges, most students attend one of the large state universities. These schools include well-known names such as FSU, UF, FIU, UCF, and the University of South Florida (USF). Students at these schools enjoy an urban setting with diverse populations. They also take advantage of the many nightlife and sports options, just a few of the leisure activities available to Florida's college students outside of class.
Online Programs
In addition to on-campus options, there are several online colleges in Florida. While an on-campus program functions in a traditional manner — featuring in-person classes, lectures, and structured coursework — online programs are often more flexible. Known as asynchronous learning, students can work through material at their own pace, download lectures from a website, and watch them at their convenience. However, some online programs do operate similarly to in-person programs and require students to attend online lectures at a defined time — a format known as synchronous learning.
Online programs are great options for students who work part-time or have schedules that prevent them from attending traditional classes. Online programs are also suitable for students who want to work at their own pace, and retain some flexibility and agency in their learning. Since online programs require a lot of independence, they should be considered by students who are self-motivated.
Hybrid Programs
Hybrid programs — also known as "blended learning" — include both in-person and online elements. For example, a typical hybrid program may require students complete some coursework on-campus at a university, and then complete the rest online and asynchronously. These programs often include an in-person orientation, as well. Hybrid programs are an excellent option for students who need the flexibility of online programs, but also appreciate the peer interaction of traditional, on-campus courses.
Popular Degree Programs in Florida
Many of Florida's universities have strong programs in criminology, making it a popular choice of major among students. Perhaps no major has more students than business administration, however. The state is also home to several Fortune 500 companies, which provide countless networking and professional opportunities for internships and post-graduation careers.
Business Administration The study of business administration prepares students for business management positions at a wide variety of companies. Florida's business-friendly economy attracts many companies, and students of business administration in Florida are well-prepared to land upper management positions.
Criminology Criminology is the scientific study of crime and the people who commit crimes. Graduates with criminology degrees find work as corrections officers, parole officers, bailiffs, or in any field that is relevant to crime prevention.
BEST ONLINE COLLEGES IN FLORIDA FOR 2019
This section provides an overview of the best online colleges in Florida. These programs are a great fit for self-directed students, and those with busy professional and personal lives. This section is a resource to provide students with tools to decide which online colleges in Florida best suit their individual educational needs. We look at the biggest industries and employers in Florida, and paint a picture of the job market so that you can choose the program that's the best fit for you.
Top 25 Online Colleges in Florida for 2019
Admissions Rate
48%
Graduation Rate
87%
Online Enrollment
11%
Retention Rate
96%
Default Rate
3%
UF is the flagship for the State University System of Florida, with 16 colleges offering more than 100 undergraduate programs and over 250 graduate degrees. As a Tier I research institution, the school provides students with many opportunities to work with emerging technologies. The school emphasizes sustainability and better use of resources both in its academics and in practice, with 34 departments offering at least one course in sustainable practices. In fact, UF continues to work towards its goal of becoming a carbon-neutral campus by 2025.
As one of the top online colleges in Florida, the school offers more than 100 distance learning programs , from undergraduate through doctoral degrees. Online students only pay 75% of on-campus tuition and have the option to purchase an additional fee package to access on-campus activities and services. Courses are delivered asynchronously online, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace. UF is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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BEST ONLINE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN FLORIDA FOR 2019
Top 3 Online Community Colleges in Florida for 2019
How We Ranked the Schools
To determine the best programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in management information systems programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.
Education Trends in Florida
The state of Florida allocates less money for higher education per full-time student than the national average. Florida also is below average in terms of the percentage of citizens who hold bachelor's and graduate degrees, and for the percentage of tax revenue the state earmarks for higher education. However, Florida is above the national average in the percentage of adults over 25 who hold an associate degree, as the state offers a number of great associate degree options.
| Florida | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Education Spending per Full-Time Student | $5,881 | $6,954 |
| Percent of Tax Revenue Allocated to Higher Education | 4.5% | 5.8% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with associate degree | 9.4% | 8.1% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with bachelor's degree | 17.5% | 18.5% |
| Percentage of adults over 25 with graduate degree or higher | 9.8% | 11.2% |
| Source: SHEEO and U.S. Census | ||
Paying for College in Florida
The cost of college should always be a factor when deciding where to earn your degree. Fortunately, higher education is more affordable in Florida than many other states. For both two-year and four-year institutions, Florida's tuition fees are considerably cheaper than the national average. However, each student needs to weigh the affordability their program with their present and future financial picture.
Tuition Prices
Tuition for an average two-year public institution in Florida costs a few hundred dollars less than the national average; tuition for an average four-year public institution in Florida costs over $3,000 less than the national average. While Florida colleges are particularly affordable, students should also factor in other related costs, such as books, transportation, housing, and food. Fortunately, online schools in Florida usually offer the same tuition rates as their on-campus counterparts.
Financial Aid
Students should explore every financial aid opportunity available to them, and that begins by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines a student's eligibility for federal student funding, such as loans, grants, and work-study programs. After completing the FAFSA, students should turn to their individual schools to see what scholarships or grants may be available based on need and/or merit. Only as a last resort should students pursue loans from private third parties.
Cost for Online Programs in Florida
A common misperception is that online programs are more expensive than on-campus programs, or that it is harder for students to qualify for financial aid. These are myths. Each of the financial aid programs discussed above apply equally to online and on-campus programs. In fact, by selecting an online school in Florida, students can avoid many of the fees on-campus students must pay, such as transportation, books, childcare, and meal plans. Online students can also work while attending school, thereby reducing the financial strain even further.
Cost of Living by Region
It's no secret that the cost of living varies across the country, and it should also be a factor as students consider where to attend school. Schools in smaller towns may have lower tuition rates and lower costs of living, but jobs may be harder to come by. Conversely, a big city will have a higher cost of living, but with a more robust economy. Fortunately, Florida's major college cities generally offer affordable cost of living. Both Tampa (home to USF) and Tallahassee (home to FSU) are relatively cheap given their size.
Scholarships for Florida College Students
Can all Scholarships be Used for Online Programs?
Yes! Most scholarships can be used for any type of program, whether it is on-campus or online. However, students should always verify that their scholarships include online programs. Check with your granting organization, as you may find that a particular scholarship has additional programmatic requirements.
Employment Outlook in Florida
Florida's employment opportunities are fairly in-line with the national average. The Sunshine State's unemployment rate and annual mean wage are both slightly lower than the national average. Here, the service industry and sales dominate the market and create plenty of job opportunities. Disney is, by far, the largest employer in the state, employing 62,000 people at Orlando's Disney World Resort alone. Miami is also a hub for employment, as the school's public school system and government are the Sunshine State's second and third largest employers, respectively.
| Florida | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate, May 2017 | 4.1% | 4.3% |
| Annual Mean Wage, May 2016 | $44,050 | $49,630 |
| Source: BLS and BLS | ||
Top Employers and Industries in Florida
Top Industries in Florida
Office and Administrative Support: Secretaries and clerks are the backbone of an office, keeping companies organized and ensuring they stay on schedule.
Sales: The sales field is far-reaching — ranging from high-level sales representatives to cashiers. Nearly every company and industry has sales employees.
Food Preparation and Service: The service industry is a big part of Florida's economy. Chefs, cooks, and waiters prepare food and serve it to customers.
Source: BLS
Top Employers in Florida
Disney: 62,000 employees
Miami Dade County Public Schools: 54,300 employees
Miami Dade County Government: 32,200 employees
Accreditation for Colleges in Florida
When selecting an online college in Florida, it is crucial to consider what accreditation it holds. There are two primary types of accreditation: regional and national. Regional accreditation is generally considered more rigorous and prestigious, while national accreditation is reserved for trade and for-profit schools. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee each of these accrediting bodies, so be sure to consult their websites for a full list of accredited schools and agencies. There are also program-specific accrediting bodies, which certify a program or department within a school.
Resources for Students in Florida
If you're considering an online college in Florida, there are a number of official resources to help you with your decision.
The Florida College System : The Florida College System is the state's collection of 28 locally-governed institutions of higher education (i.e. UF, FSU, etc). In fact, many of Florida's high school students stay within the state, as 65% of Florida's high school grads attend college within the Florida College System. If you are enrolled in a Florida college — or considering enrolling — this site can offer educational and career support.
State University System of Florida Board of Governors : The Board of Governors is a group of 17 individuals who oversee the state's 12 public universities. The board's planning page is a particularly useful resource for Florida's college students, as it offers state job placement data for each major, the state's office of equity and access, and other websites.
Commission for Independent Education : Florida's Commission for Independent Education oversees nonpublic, postsecondary education throughout the state, and includes all of the state's private colleges. Their website provides help in selecting a college, along with links to the websites of regional and national accrediting bodies active in the Sunshine State.
Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) : This office administers Florida's state-sponsored grants and scholarships and guarantees federal loans. This site is an invaluable resource for any student applying for a grant or loan from the state, as it houses the OSFA's guidelines and tips.
Florida Department of Education (FDOE) : This government agency oversees all matters related to education in Florida, including higher education.