Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Thomas BroderickASO Rankings Team
By
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Updated on February 21, 2024
Edited by
Your Future is Waiting

Explore and compare a list of accredited schools to enroll in your next program.

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The Sunshine State is a great place to attend college — even if it’s online. In fact, an online college may lend you the flexible schedule you need to spend time on Florida’s white-sand beaches.

Online colleges in Florida provide excellent educational opportunities to residents and nonresidents alike. Online Florida universities offer many of the same advantages as on-campus schools, such as career advising, library services, and institutional financial aid programs.

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10 Best Online Colleges in Florida

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#1 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

University of Florida

  • Location-markerGainesville, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,477
  • Out-of-state$25,694
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$10,770
  • Out-of-state$27,335
  • Retention Rate97%
  • Acceptance Rate30%
  • Students Enrolled55,781
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment57%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Florida International University

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,721
  • Out-of-state$16,529
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,912
  • Out-of-state$21,393
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate64%
  • Students Enrolled56,664
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

University of South Florida

  • Location-markerTampa, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,559
  • Out-of-state$15,473
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,350
  • Out-of-state$19,048
  • Retention Rate90%
  • Acceptance Rate49%
  • Students Enrolled49,708
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment66%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

University of Central Florida

  • Location-markerOrlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$4,478
  • Out-of-state$19,810
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$6,916
  • Out-of-state$25,759
  • Retention Rate92%
  • Acceptance Rate36%
  • Students Enrolled70,310
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment9%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Florida Atlantic University

  • Location-markerBoca Raton, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$2,522
  • Out-of-state$14,374
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,467
  • Out-of-state$16,695
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate78%
  • Students Enrolled30,155
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment65%
  • AccreditationYes
#6 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

The University of West Florida

  • Location-markerPensacola, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$3,735
  • Out-of-state$16,004
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$7,088
  • Out-of-state$22,166
  • Retention Rate84%
  • Acceptance Rate53%
  • Students Enrolled13,288
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment88%
  • AccreditationYes
#7 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Keiser University

  • Location-markerFort Lauderdale, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$20,800
  • Out-of-state$20,800
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$29,632
  • Out-of-state$29,632
  • Retention Rate72%
  • Acceptance Rate96%
  • Students Enrolled19,861
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment50%
  • AccreditationYes
#8 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Ana G. Mendez University

  • Location-markerOrlando, FL
  • 4 year
  • Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$8,532
  • Out-of-state$8,532
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$5,760
  • Out-of-state$5,760
  • Retention Rate80%
  • Acceptance Rate0%
  • Students Enrolled5,150
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment100%
  • AccreditationYes
#9 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide

  • Location-markerDaytona Beach, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$10,728
  • Out-of-state$10,728
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$8,916
  • Out-of-state$8,916
  • Retention Rate64%
  • Acceptance Rate70%
  • Students Enrolled12,720
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment98%
  • AccreditationYes
#10 Best Online Colleges in Florida 2024

Nova Southeastern University

  • Location-markerFort Lauderdale, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$33,510
  • Out-of-state$33,510
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$21,153
  • Out-of-state$21,153
  • Retention Rate78%
  • Acceptance Rate93%
  • Students Enrolled20,898
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment52%
  • AccreditationYes

Why Consider Online Colleges in Florida?

  • Enrolling in a Florida online college gives you the flexibility to balance school with work and family.
  • Many online programs run asynchronously, letting you schedule lessons around your other responsibilities.
  • Online students do not need to relocate to enroll in the most affordable program in Florida.
  • You can save money by not paying for campus housing or a meal plan.
  • Florida schools offer you the same online degrees available to on-campus learners.
  • Online bachelor’s degrees in Florida qualify you to enroll in online or on-campus graduate programs.
  • Some online colleges in Florida feature start dates throughout the year.

Did You Know?


  • check-circle The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that Florida’s top 10 best-paying jobs require a college degree as of May 2023.
  • check-circle Florida had only a 3.3% unemployment rate in April 2024, indicating a strong job market for recent college grads and experienced professionals.
  • check-circle The University of Florida Online offers bachelor’s degrees in seven career fields, such as communication and public safety.
  • check-circle Professional or life experience may let you skip some classes and graduate sooner than your peers.
  • check-circle Online Florida universities use different admissions pathways for veterans, adult learners, and homeschooled students.

How Does Accreditation Work for Online Schools in Florida?

As you might already know, not all online colleges in Florida with attractive websites offer high-quality degrees. You can separate the best Florida online colleges from the rest by checking their accreditation status.

College accreditation involves a multistep process that includes satisfying many eligibility requirements and undergoing evaluation by an outside agency.

Research whether programs that interest you hold institutional accreditation from a reputable agency, such as the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC accreditation shows that a college’s online programs offer the same rigor and outcomes as its in-person degrees. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation website lets you explore other agencies’ reputations.

The Florida Department of Education also evaluates college accreditation agencies and approves the best ones. Florida recognizes 38 accrediting agencies as of April 2022.

How Much Do Online Universities in Florida Cost?

Online colleges in Florida can help you save money on a degree, especially if you hold in-state residency.

In-state students at two-year public schools paid just over $2,500 per year in tuition and fees in 2021-2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Learners attending public four-year schools spent more for a bachelor’s degree.

Expect to pay nearly four times the in-state tuition rate if you lack Florida residency. However, you will still spend less than your peers attending private four-year colleges or universities.

While reviewing these figures, remember that textbooks and other required materials add to your total cost of attendance (COA). Online Florida universities’ admissions and financial aid departments can help you determine an exact COA. These professionals can also assist you with filling out the FAFSA.

7 Popular Cities for Accredited Online Colleges in Florida

Simplify your search for Florida online universities by exploring what those in different cities offer. The advantages of attending a local online school in Florida include qualifying for hybrid programs and making professional connections within your community.

  1. 1

    Daytona Beach

    Nearly 75,000 people called Daytona Beach home in 2021. Daytona State College offers more than two dozen online degree and certificate programs.
  2. 2

    Fort Lauderdale

    Located on the Atlantic coast, Fort Lauderdale is home to City College just outside the city limits. This private school offers an online bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and many on-campus health sciences programs.
  3. 3

    Gainesville

    Central Florida residents living in Gainesville benefit from the University of Florida, situated in the heart of the city. You can select from many online undergraduate majors, such as education sciences, geology, and public relations.
  4. 4

    Jacksonville

    Students in Jacksonville can access many public and private colleges. The city’s Florida State College branch offers you more than two dozen online certificates and degrees.
  5. 5

    Miami

    Situated near Florida’s southern tip, Miami hosts City College Miami. This small private school features online degrees in healthcare administration, business, and nursing.
  6. 6

    Tampa

    Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa is home to the University of South Florida. Fully online undergraduate degrees include criminology, public health, and urban studies.
  7. 7

    Orlando

    Orlando offers much more than Disney World. The city’s Columbia College branch lets students explore online majors in seven fields, including accounting and the sciences.

Popular Majors in Florida

Career Opportunities in Florida

Online colleges in Florida can prepare you for one of many careers featuring a high salary and rapid projected growth.

Note that factors such as work experience, education, and geographic location can affect your salary. Also, actual job growth may differ from BLS projections due to unexpected economic developments, such as a recession.

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Florida
JobJob Growth Rate (2022-2032)Median Annual Salary (May 2023)
Nurse Practitioners38%$119,710
Statisticians30%$87,310
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners62%$28,770
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers59%$63,450
Gambling Dealers57%$43,620
Gambling Cage Workers54%$38,350
Restaurants Cooks54%$35,190
Data Scientists53%$106,490
Information Security Analysts52%$113,020
Physician Assistants46%$121,780

Sources: Projections Central, BLS

What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Florida?

Most of the highest-paying jobs in Florida require a medical degree. In 2021, anesthesiologists in Florida earned a median annual salary of $363,570. Unfortunately, you cannot earn this degree online, as becoming a doctor requires intensive hands-on training. However, aspiring chief executives and pilots may explore hybrid programs.

Use your school’s enrollment counselors to research which stages of your educational journey online learning may benefit you.

10 High-Paying Jobs in Florida
JobMedian Annual Salary (May 2023)Education Required
Cardiologists$494,690First-Professional Degree
Emergency Medicine Physicians$388,950First-Professional Degree
Ophthalmologists$376,330First-Professional Degree
Radiologists$331,040First-Professional Degree
Orthodontists$323,030First-Professional Degree
Neurologists$290,550First-Professional Degree
Physicians$288,670First-Professional Degree
Anesthesiologists$284,750First-Professional Degree
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$283,740Bachelor’s Degree
Family Medicine Physicians$254,560First-Professional Degree

Source: BLS

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Florida

question-mark-circleHow long do you have to live in Florida to get in-state tuition?

You must establish residency in Florida for 12 months to qualify. However, Florida denies in-state tuition requests from residents 23 and younger who rely on out-of-state parents or guardians for tuition payments.

You can prove residency to your school by providing one form of accepted documentation, such as vehicle registration, a driver’s license, or a voter registration card. Consult your college’s admissions department to learn more about other ways to gain in-state student status.

question-mark-circleHow many colleges and universities are in Florida?

Florida features 40 public colleges and universities offering the best tuition rate to in-state students. The state also hosts 30 private colleges with full accreditation and nonprofit status. Many of these schools offer online and hybrid programs.

Note that these 70 schools do not include private for-profit colleges. Research for-profit schools’ accreditations and reputations before enrolling.

question-mark-circleWhat is the cheapest online college in Florida?

Public schools within the Florida College System offered residents the most affordable tuition rate in the 2020-2021 school year. They charged only $72 per credit for an associate degree and $92 per credit for a bachelor’s degree. Nonresidents paid $216.

You can lower your COA in many ways, such as by qualifying for federal grants and exploring private scholarships. Both reduce your reliance on student loans and set you up for long-term financial well-being.

question-mark-circleDo I need to live in Florida to attend an online college in Florida?

Most Florida university online programs do not require you to live in the state. Hybrid degrees and those qualifying graduates for a Florida state license may restrict applicants to residents. You can determine eligibility for one of these programs by researching colleges’ websites or contacting their admissions departments.

question-mark-circleWhat Florida colleges offer online degrees?

Many top private and public online colleges in Florida offer undergraduate and graduate degrees. Online programs use the same admission and graduation requirements as their on-campus counterparts. Benefits such as asynchronous education may let you continue working full or part time while in school.

Research online Florida universities the same way you would on-campus ones. Comparing tuition, offered degrees, and student services can help you make an informed decision.


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