Students considering an online college in Florida may find many options for degree programs that align with key industries in the state. Whether you're currently working in healthcare or financial services, or you're looking to explore career options in fields like aviation or clean tech, you might find multiple offerings of online degree programs at the associate, bachelor's and graduate levels in Florida.
At a glance, here is a high-level overview of the landscape for Florida online college options:
While Florida ranks second in the nation for its number of students enrolled in distance education, the state's leaders want to grow that number — delivering 40 percent of its undergraduate credits online by 2025. The state also wants more of its residents to earn college credentials. Complete Florida aims to help residents who may have earned some college credits (but not a degree) complete their certificate, associate or bachelor's degree program at Florida colleges, including online schools.
Read on for data and rankings regarding different aspects of the Sunshine State. We rank the best online colleges in Florida, describe Florida-specific financial aid resources, and go into detail on the state's best industries, among other topics.
To help students find the right online college, we have compiled rankings of the online colleges in Florida that have been accredited by official agencies such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Accreditation is an endorsement of the educational standards of an institution; learn more at our "What is College Accreditation?" page, or check the Florida Department of Education's website.
In addition to accreditation, our rankings are based on carefully chosen criteria. Regardless of major, online students can benefit from schools that offer career services, academic resources, affordable tuition or financial aid, which is why these are some of the factors we assess. Details about the data points we use for our rankings — and why they matter — can be found in the "What Makes a Good Online College?" section of our "About Us" page.
With so many online colleges in Florida to choose from, finding the perfect school for you might be overwhelming. Our rankings may help you narrow down your search, but rankings alone only tell you so much. That's why we include data and information regarding how these top online colleges in Florida serve their students, from the number of online programs they offer to details about their online resources. Visit our methodologies page to learn more about how we use official data to evaluate schools.
What is UF like?
A public land-, sea- and space-grant research institution, the University of Florida attracts more than $700 million in research funding each year for projects such as the Emerging Pathogens Institute, the McKnight Brain Institute and the LIGO gravitational wave detectors. The school was sixth in the nation for the number of engineering degrees awarded in 2017-18, and it tops our list of the best online colleges in Florida for the third year in a row.
What online programs are at UF?
Online programs at UF tend to focus on STEM subjects, such as science and engineering, but a variety of programs in fields such as education and business are also available. Many online programs at UF are delivered through the Canvas platform, although others use different delivery methods. UF Edge is used by the university's engineering department, for example, and features recordings of live lectures that are posted online.
What online resources does UF offer?
The UF Career Connection Center offers individualized career development and opportunities to connect with industry leaders, while the e-Learning Help Desk and e-Services Library Desk offer additional resources. UF's Aid-a-Gator program provides emergency funding for education-related expenses. An online News Lounge features details on UF successes, helping every student to feel like a Gator whether they attend class on-campus or online.
What is FSU like?
With eight faculty members earning Fulbright awards in 2018-19, it's no surprise that Florida State University returns to our list of best online colleges in Florida for the third year in a row, rising from No.4 to an esteemed No.2. The state-designated preeminent university emphasizes research at the undergraduate level and works to promote diversity and inclusion in its student body.
What online programs are at FSU?
Most online courses at FSU are available via asynchronous instruction, meaning students have flexible timelines for completing assignments. Furthermore, all undergraduate programs are "advanced standing," or "degree completion," programs, requiring applicants to have earned 60 or more semester hours of credit before enrolling. Students transferring into FSU with an AA degree from a Florida public community college or university are eligible for direct entry into the college of their choice, so long as they meet any additional requirements for their proposed major.
What online resources does FSU offer?
All online degree-seeking students at FSU have a personalized degree roadmap created for them, which helps to ensure progress toward completion of a degree. In addition to having faculty as instructors, some online courses incorporate online learning facilitators or teaching assistants to check in on student progress or answer questions about course content. Online learners also can find resources through the Canvas Support Center and the Office of Distance Learning's newsletter.
What is UCF like?
The University of Central Florida stresses access, impact and innovation as key parts of its online programming. Founded in 1963, this public research university has offered online degree programs for over 20 years and has approximately 200 full-time tenure-track faculty teaching its many online courses. It has a diverse student body with 47.8 percent minority students enrolled in fall 2019.
What online programs are at UCF?
Fully online as well as "mixed mode" hybrid programs and courses are available through the Canvas learning management system, which has been in use at UCF since 2012. Especially popular online undergraduate subjects by enrollment include the criminal justice and psychology degree programs. Meanwhile, the upper-division nursing and nonprofit management programs attract large numbers of UCF students at the graduate level.
What online resources does UCF offer?
The UCF Online Connect Center exists to help online students "from application to graduation." The Center's enrollment coaches and success coaches work to help students navigate online programs and courses that can meet their goals. Other resources at the university include the school's writing center, career services and academic advising, internships and experiential learning opportunities. UCF has a mobile app that can help students stay connected to the university, even on the go.
What is FIU like?
Florida International University has been an active avenue of online education for more than 20 years. It is part of Complete Florida, the Electronic Campus and the Florida Virtual Campus, and its many resources benefit distance learning students from all across the world. FIU is notable for its R1 research ranking -- the highest possible ranking from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching -- and for remaining in the top 5 of our rankings for the best online colleges in Florida.
What online programs are at FIU?
Fully online, hybrid and web-assisted degree programs at FIU are delivered through the Canvas management system. Many of the school's fully online degrees have multiple start dates each year. FIU also participates in the Quality Matters process, which ensures that online courses are certified for excellence. As of June 2020, 334 online courses at FIU were Quality Matters certified. More than 42,000 students take online classes every year in a number of different disciplines.
What online resources does FIU offer?
Online learners at FIU have access to Canvas support, tutoring and development opportunities to strengthen their global awareness and leadership skills. Students also work with Success Coaches in order to stay connected to school, to obtain resources and guidance, and to progress toward academic goals.
What is USF like?
A well-known research university, the University of South Florida offers online degree programs, corporate training, lifelong learning and other opportunities through its Innovative Education (IE) initiative. This initiative aligns with the school's strategic plan to increase student success through degree completion and community partnerships. USF holds fast to its position at No. 5 in our rankings for best online colleges in Florida for the second year in a row.
What online programs are at USF?
In addition to fully and partially online undergraduate programs, USF offers online graduate degree programs in disciplines such as business, education and engineering. Students access courses for their online degree program through the Canvas learning management system. Individual courses can also be taken separate from full programs; the OASIS Schedule Search serves as a quick way for students to identify online courses at the school.
What online resources does USF offer?
Students can access tutoring support, test preparation and the writing center through the school's Learning Commons Online, a partnership between the USF library and the Tutoring and Learning Services. Tech support at the school can help students to use various Google apps, the USF Application Portal and UStoreFile. USF also uses Proctorio, an online proctoring tool, to conduct proctored examinations eliminating the need for students to go to an approved testing center or travel to campus.
What is FAU like?
FAU opened its doors in the early 1960s to make higher education more accessible to learners. True to that aim, FAU now has more than 13,000 students taking online courses each semester. This university emphasizes research opportunities for STEM-based programs, and its partnerships with the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and the Max Planck Society help to broaden opportunities for students interested in these fields. FAU has risen in our rankings from No. 10 last year to No. 6.
What online programs are at FAU?
More than 50 percent of programs at Florida Atlantic University have some kind of distance-based component. Courses can be completed "anywhere, anytime" within an academic semester, and students use the Blackboard learning management system to access their curriculum and assignments whenever is most convenient for them. Other delivery options at FAU include email and interactive television.
What online resources does FAU offer?
New online learners can contact the school's success coaches to help navigate coursework, submit assignments and use the online platform. Students also can schedule one-on-one eSuccess consultations to build skills for academic success and can access materials from the library through the Distance Learning LibGuide and the library's mobile app. FAU also has online collaboration stations which allow online students to collaborate on assignments with their on-campus peers.
What is Saint Leo like?
Saint Leo, Florida's oldest Catholic university, began educating students in 1889 and added online education more than 20 years ago. The school offers numerous online clubs and organizations to its off-campus students. In fact, membership in Saint Leo's online organizations has increased 300 percent over the past four years. Saint Leo has also been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.
What online programs are at Saint Leo?
Online programs at Saint Leo University are specifically designed for adult learners seeking 21st-century skills. To accommodate working adults' needs, there are six different start dates for online programs each year. Most online courses are offered in eight-week terms, although some classes last for 16 weeks. Various online business administration degrees with specializations and online master's degree programs are included in the university offerings.
What online resources does Saint Leo offer?
The Student Life Department at Saint Leo is an excellent way for students both on- and off-campus to stay connected with one another. Students can participate in a virtual open house or join online associations and clubs, such as the Military Family or Student Communications clubs. The Career Services Department also hosts monthly career-focused webinars, which are archived for easy access by students.
What is FNU like?
Florida National University makes our list of best colleges in the Sunshine State for the third year in a row. The university satisfies its mission of educating students from diverse cultures on both a local and an international level. While FNU partners with various local businesses to enrich its educational experience, it also maintains an International Studies Department that attracts distance learners from around the world.
What online programs are at FNU?
Online FNU students use the Blackboard management system to access and complete assignments and activities. Students can choose from more than 20 self-paced degree programs, including online associate, bachelors' and masters' degree programs. These include programs with eight-week terms and courses that start every two months. FNU is also a Military-Friendly designated school, and its online programs are available for military students regardless of whether they are stationed in Florida or not.
What online resources does FNU offer?
An FNU Mobile app allows online students to stay connected to their coursework on the go. Online learners also have help through the university writing lab, the FNU Library and the various resources of the Academic Advising Center. FNU's Job Placement team helps both campus-based and distance learners find employment opportunities in their degree fields.
What is the UWF like?
Research, collaboration and big ideas are significant parts of the experience at the University of West Florida, a public university located in north-western Florida. The university offers a Student Scholars Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase and also has built global partnerships to foster international experiences and cross-cultural understanding among distance learners.
What online programs are at UWF?
An array of fully online undergraduate and graduate programs, certificates and accelerated bachelor's and masters' programs are available to UWF students, primarily delivered through the Canvas learning platform. Accelerated offerings include various emphases through the school's MBA degree program, which can be completed in as little as 14 months, and multiple online Masters of Education programs.
Online courses are offered through the Canvas e-learning management system.
What online resources does the UWF offer?
The university's Online Campus can be used for registration, enrollment and tracking classes. Students can access electronic databases and various online journals through the UWF library. Meanwhile, online tutoring, a grammar hotline and review of class papers upon request are all available through the school's Writing Center. UWF offers extensive support for students with disabilities including a Disabled Student Scholarship.
What is NSU like?
NSU is Florida's largest private research university and has had its programs featured in many of our rankings over the years - a fact that it proudly announces on its website. Founded in 1964, NSU is the first, and only, new entrant on our list of top online colleges in Florida this year. It introduced its first off-campus program of study in 1972 and hasn't looked back since when it comes to adding innovative distance education programs.
What online programs are at NSU?
NSU offers a fully online and hybrid programs that include bachelors', master's, doctoral and specialist degree programs. It also offers four dual admission programs:
Courses are conducted through Canvas and students may be able to submit their assignments in different multimedia formats.
What online resources does the NSU offer?
Online students have access to a number of different resources that aim to give them a feeling of close connection to the main campus. Students may be able to participate in internships and other supervised field experiences close to their homes. NSU also offers career development services to its online students as well as placement opportunities via the Handshake portal. Additional services include an extensive virtual library and financial aid advice.
Many students are concerned about the cost of pursuing a higher education and are looking for a quality, yet reasonably priced school. Below, we rank the most affordable community colleges and universities in Florida. The schools are listed by their in-state tuition as it was reported to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
In addition to its sunny climate and fantastic institutes of higher learning, Florida also offers numerous grant and scholarship opportunities for its resident students, which serve to encourage them to stay in-state for their college years. This is partially thanks to the Florida Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA), which administers a variety of state-funded grants and scholarships to assist Florida residents with the net costs of college.
Luckily for Sunshine State residents, there are numerous need- and merit-based financial aid packages available, especially for those interested in pursuing undergraduate studies in their home state. Some programs run by the state are only offered at partner institutions, so be sure to see which schools participate before you apply.
For an in-depth look at the different forms of financial aid, read our Ultimate Guide to Grants or our Ultimate Guide to Scholarships.
Florida does not have a state-specific loan program for students since their financial aid programs focus on scholarships and grants. While earning scholarships and grants are preferable to taking out student loans, loans may be necessary for some students to cover the cost of college. In that case, students should fill out a FAFSA and look into federal student loans.
Learn more about student loans, including federal loan programs, in the Ultimate Guide to Student Loans.
Nearly 41,000 students sent in applications to be part of the 2018 University of Florida freshman class. That was a 16 percent jump from the year before, and the increase was largely attributable to out-of-state students trying to get into one of Florida's premier institutions. Meanwhile, over at Florida State University, the school saw a 35 percent increase in the number of non-resident applicants.
Out-of-state tuition may seem like an obstacle for these students, but Florida offers a number of options to help offset non-resident prices:
And these aren't your only options. There may be scholarships, grants or other kinds of programs available to out-of-state students. The links below have some program details to get you started, but the best source of information is your school's admissions and financial aid offices.
| Employment | Employment Growth | Median High School Salary | Median Bachelor's Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9,059,970 | 15.7% | $26,987 | $46,374 |
*Industry rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data is sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
| Top Industries | Employment | Projected Growth | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lessors of nonfinancial intangible assets (except copyrighted works) | 2,592,770 | 16% | $68,242 |
| Funds, trusts, and other financial vehicles | 1,665,780 | 15% | $64,789 |
| Air transportation | 3,298,050 | 17% | $62,129 |
| Monetary authorities-central bank | 1,913,430 | 17% | $70,524 |
| Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities | 3,363,690 | 15% | $63,122 |
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 6,449,520 | 17% | $61,165 |
| Telecommunications | 4,025,440 | 15% | $62,494 |
| Data processing, hosting, and related services | 3,421,950 | 14% | $64,727 |
| Water transportation | 3,038,950 | 16% | $58,247 |
| Broadcasting (except Internet) | 3,184,650 | 15% | $62,776 |
Many of the highest demand jobs in Florida belong to financial professionals. This is no surprise, as the Sunshine State is home to 170 commercial banks with approximately $131 billion in assets as of 2019. However, many other industries are thriving in Florida, several with help from public organizations and the state government itself.
For example, Florida's international trade has necessitated enormous growth in the state's air and water transportation industries, which the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has the responsibility of improving with various projects and initiatives. Or as another example, there's the Florida Association of Broadcasters. They support local radio and television stations such as Magic 107.7, WDBO-FM 96.5, WTVJ, and WOFL by hosting annual conventions, posting job and internship opportunities, and inviting current and future broadcasters to various workshops.
According to Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce, 65 percent of all jobs in the state should require postsecondary education by 2020. In response to this, the governor has challenged higher education institutions to become more affordable and to prepare students to enter the workforce, so that more students have a better chance at filling some of the most in demand jobs in Florida. "Finish in Four, Save More" is one of the governor's initiatives for this purpose — it challenges Florida's state colleges and universities to remove fees for online classes, inform incoming freshmen of the amount of money they'll save if they graduate in four years, and ensure students receive credit for college and AP classes they took in high school.
Let's explore the best jobs in three different Florida metro areas, so that you can determine which careers may be right for you based on your interests and location.
The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Miami International Airport, and Palm Beach International Airport are a few of the major airports that can be found in the Miami area. These large airports require many employees to run smoothly, which has caused airline pilots, copilots, flight engineers and similar careers to become high demand jobs in Miami.
In addition, there are several banks headquartered in this metro area, including BankAtlantic, Premier American Bank, and U.S. Century Bank. Banks are often in need of personal financial advisors to help their customers make informed decisions about their money and investments. And as the largest metro area in Florida, Miami has a lot of customers for its banks to help!
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Bachelor's degree | $236,100 | 3,400 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | Doctoral or professional degree | $209,710 | 2,920 |
| Lawyers | Doctoral or professional degree | $150,340 | 19,810 |
| Personal Financial Advisors | Bachelor's degree | $118,230 | 6,150 |
| Construction Managers | Bachelor's degree | $112,230 | 7,590 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
The industry of law is one with multiple high demand jobs in Tampa — demand that has been created by the multiple law firms in the area, such as Holland & Knight LLP, Greenberg Traurig LLP, and Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP. However, possibly the highest-demand industry in Tampa is health care. Facilities such as the BayCare Health System, HCA West Florida, Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center are sources of employment to thousands of doctors, dentists and nurses in Florida.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine Physicians | Doctoral or professional degree | $229,420 | 1,520 |
| Dentists, General | Doctoral or professional degree | $176,250 | 1,400 |
| Nurse Practitioners | Master's degree | $99,420 | 1,800 |
| Lawyers | Doctoral or professional degree | $112,390 | 7,690 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | Master's degree | $140,270 | N/A |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.
The Orlando metro area is home to Edwards Construction Services and Hosanna Building Contractors, two booming construction businesses that have generated a high demand for construction managers to head their projects. Information security managers and computer network architects are also high demand jobs in Orlando due to the number of tech startups in the area, such as UniKey Technologies and FanHero.
In addition, the Orlando International Airport is a large, bustling airport that sees approximately 880 flights on a daily basis. With so many planes coming and going, it's no surprise that Orlando International creates a large demand for flight attendants.
| Best Careers | Minimum Education | Average Salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Medicine Physicians | Doctoral or professional degree | $219,870 | 1,340 |
| Construction Managers | Bachelor's degree | $87,540 | 4,650 |
| Information Security Analysts | Bachelor's degree | $98,660 | 1,010 |
| Computer Network Architects | Bachelor's degree | $105,470 | 2,150 |
| Flight Attendants | High school diploma or equivalent | $60,280 | 2,710 |
*Career rankings determined by annual mean wage, employment, projected growth and location quotient. Data sourced from the BLS, 2019 dataset.