Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

ASO Staff Writers
By
Updated on November 3, 2022

Miami’s 362,500 residents make up one of the most diverse ethnic and cultural populations in the United States. The greater metropolitan area of Dade County has 2.6 million residents that earn a median annual income of $43,464. A large, aging retirement population has sparked the increased development of health care services in this thriving South Florida community that also flourishes on tourism. Additionally, Miami’s Beacon Council has lured businesses to the city, creating more than 86,000 jobs. Some $26 billion is generated annually by the city’s international trade airports and shipping facilities. Given Miami’s diverse economy, it’s not surprising that students have an exceptional range of colleges, universities, community colleges and trade schools from which to choose.

Colleges in Miami

The Miami metropolitan area is home to 59 colleges, universities, and technical/vocational schools. South Florida employers favor job candidates who are well-educated in their field. The U.S. Census reports that among residents aged 25 or higher, 26 percent have completed at least a bachelor’s degree in Miami. Students in Miami can explore an extensive range of associates, bachelor’s, and graduate degree programs, along with schools offering specialized career training and certificate programs in the arts, sciences, technology, and health care. Those that cannot attend courses on campus can choose from five online colleges offering degree and career programs.

For an idea of the educational diversity in Miami, consider that the city is home to Florida’s largest public university (Florida International University), a community college serving 47,000 students (Miami-Dade College), and four faith-based colleges (Barry University, Saint Thomas, Trinity International University, and Florida Memorial College). On top of that, the University of Miami, located in Coral Gables, is a private university serving 15,000 students, offering 110 bachelor’s, 103 master’s, and 62 doctoral degree programs.

Here’s a glance at select Miami colleges and universities:

#1 Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

Miami Dade College

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$1,987
  • Out-of-state$7,947
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled51,679
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment18%
  • AccreditationYes
#2 Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

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 Rate89%
  • Acceptance Rate58%
  • Students Enrolled58,711
  • Institution TypePublic
  • Percent Online Enrollment68%
  • AccreditationYes
#3 Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

Barry University

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$29,700
  • Out-of-state$29,700
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$17,820
  • Out-of-state$17,820
  • Retention Rate65%
  • Acceptance Rate51%
  • Students Enrolled7,401
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment16%
  • AccreditationYes
#4 Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

Carlos Albizu University-Miami

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$11,628
  • Out-of-state$11,628
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-State$11,774
  • Out-of-state$11,774
  • Retention Rate60%
  • Acceptance Rate56%
  • Students Enrolled720
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment16%
  • AccreditationYes
#5 Colleges, Universities & Online Colleges in Miami

City College-Miami

  • Location-markerMiami, FL
  • 4 year
  • Campus
Average Undergrad Tuition
  • In-State$12,528
  • Out-of-state$12,528
Average Graduate Tuition
  • In-StateN/A
  • Out-of-stateN/A
  • Retention RateN/A
  • Acceptance RateN/A
  • Students Enrolled95
  • Institution TypePrivate
  • Percent Online Enrollment33%
  • AccreditationYes

Top Online Programs

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Online Colleges in Miami

SPOTLIGHT: City College, Miami, Florida

City College offers higher education to Florida students through its “on ground” and online programs. This small, nonprofit private college has campuses in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and three other communities in the state. City College-Miami provides three online bachelor’s degree programs for subjects relating to business administration and health care.

City College’s online bachelor’s degree in business administration has an emphasis in management. The curriculum encompasses accounting, business, marketing, operations, managerial techniques, business law and ethics, human resources and other relevant topics. Another online bachelor’s degree program focuses on health care administration. Students explore the U.S. health care system, health care law, health care accounting, risk management and patient safety, principles of management and other subjects.

Also available at City College-Miami is an online nursing bachelor’s degree program for registered nurses. The RN-to-BSN degree program includes courses in disease management and nursing leadership. Classes are intended to help students develop professional skills in decision making and critical thinking. This program requires 180 quarter credits, building upon the transfer of credits from prior training programs.

City College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, a national accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. City College also holds accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

City College
College NameCity College-Miami
Sub-LocationMiami
# of Online Colleges3
SubjectsBusiness, Health Care Administration, Nursing
LEVELSBachelor’s

Even with the convenience of nearly 60 colleges and universities in the city area, many Miami students have existing commitments to employers and families that preclude them from attending campus-based educational programs. For such students, five private online colleges serve the city, providing a variety of options in two- and four-year degrees, graduate degrees, and career training programs. For example, the AI Miami International University of Art and Design offers programs in fashion, media arts, design, and culinary occupations. Florida Career College-Miami offers online degree and vocational programs in health care, business, and paralegal/criminal justice fields. Everest University hosts online associates, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs in fields including accounting, business, computer science, and criminal justice. American Public University System online offers students a choice of 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, while Kaplan University gives Miami students an online option for 20 bachelor’s degrees in fields including business administration, information technology, criminal justice, liberal studies, and psychology.

Miami Dade College also offers a number of online courses through its continuing education and professional development programs. Courses range from business to health to information technology to writing. Similarly, Florida International University’s FIU Online program is designed for students who want to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree online or simply want to sharpen their skills through individual online courses. FIU Online degree programs are offered in a variety of academic fields such as communication arts, management, criminal justice, health care, and international real estate.

Top Industries, Careers, and Employers

Tourism, trade, and healthcare form the triangle of economic factors that impact the Miami and South Florida area. The Miami International Airport and Port of Miami comprise the largest port of entry from the Caribbean, Central and South America. International banking loves to call Miami home, with $74.3 billion in deposits at the city’s 100 financial institutions. More than 1,200 multinational corporations came to the city in 2003 alone. According to PayScale, the cost of living in Miami is 15 percent higher than the national average. However, PayScale also reports that it pays to work toward advancements at Miami companies. The median entry-level salary is $40,700, but with 20 years’ experience, workers earn a median salary of $72,606. The Economic Policy Institute reports that a single family—defined as two parents and one child—needs to earn $60,000 per year to cover all their basic expenses for living in Miami.

According to Miami’s Beacon Council, the top public employers, by total workers, are:

  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools, 48,000
  • Miami-Dade County, 29,000
  • United States Government, 19,500
  • Florida State Government, 17,100
  • Jackson Health System, 12,500

The top private employers, by total workers, are:

  • University of Miami, 16,000
  • Baptist Health South Florida, 13,300
  • Publix Super Markets, 10,800
  • American Airlines, 9,000
  • Precision Response Corporation (call centers), 5,000

According to March 2014 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the leading one-year job growth (2013-2014) was in the following five economic sectors:

  • Trade, transportation, and utilities: 19,000 new jobs
  • Professional and business services: 15,500, new jobs
  • Leisure and hospitality: 10,200 new jobs
  • Education and health services, 7,600 new jobs
  • Construction, 7,000 new jobs

Additionally, Miami was the leading city in terms of occupational growth for the country’s largest metropolitan statistical areas in March 2014, with a 3.1 overall percentage increase.

Colleges and Universities in Miami

Colleges and Universities in Miami

Colleges and Universities in Miami
CollegeSizeTuitionType
Miami Dade College99,232$2,365Public
Florida International University56,288$3,580Public
Barry University11,200$28,160Not For Profit (Private)
Carlos Albizu University-Miami1,373$11,304Not For Profit (Private)
City College-Miami615$12,200Not For Profit (Private)