Florida ranks as the country’s second state with the highest number of college and universities. Prospective distance learners may choose from both public and private academic institutions, for-profit schools, and accredited distance education programs in Florida. The state has long been at the forefront of distance learning since 1996 when it launched the Florida Community College Distance Learning Consortium. This allowed public and private educational institutions to collaborate and facilitate distance learning in Florida.
College graduates in Florida can expect numerous career opportunities in the short-term and long-term basis. According to Strategy Jobs, 65% of jobs in Florida by 2020 will require post-secondary education. Moreover, College Measures describes Florida’s fastest-growing industries such as management, healthcare, and educational services, require a college degree. This growth of employment for college-educated professionals makes Florida a suitable place for in-state and out-of-state students to earn an online degree.
Also, many online colleges and universities in Florida offer tourism and hospitality degree programs. Each year, Florida has an estimated 116.5 million tourists, making tourism and hospitality the state’s largest industry and a favorable field for fresh graduates joining the workforce. Thanks to Florida’s numerous colleges and universities, many graduates find employment opportunities in academic research and education.
Choosing the best online schools in Florida is essential in helping prospective students find a degree program that aligns with their lifestyle, academic, and professional aspirations. The researchers and staff at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com are on a mission to assist you in your online learning journey, starting off with choosing the best online academic institution in Florida. The 5 Top Online Schools in Florida lists the top-flight online schools in the state that offer online degree programs for distance learners seeking to advance academically.
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In successfully meeting these criteria, the Florida-based online schools made it to our list:
- Virtual learning platform that promotes ease of access and 24/7 technical support,
- Highly skilled and experienced online instructors, some of whom also teach on-campus,
- Rigorous coursework that highlights the high quality of online education offered by the schools,
- An excellent overall online learning experience that promotes high retention rates,
- Full authorization from accrediting agencies to grant online degrees.
To know more about our ranking process, see our Methodology Page.
University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is one of the many premier universities around Florida that delivers a wide selection of certificates, minors, bachelor’s, master’s and online doctoral programs. The areas of study for undergraduate degree programs include nursing, hospitality management, social sciences, health informatics and information management, sociology, and criminal justice among many featured programs. Students may also choose among 33 graduate certifications offered by the university, most concentrated in healthcare, business administration, management, education, and sciences.
The majority of the undergraduate programs require 120-credit hours for completion. Professors deliver the set of coursework in a completely online format. UCF Online has several online learning resources that help its students in their distance learning journey.
Incoming first-year students require a 2.0 GPA or higher. The university requires SAT and ACT scores for admission. Admission Requirements vary per level of study.
Location: Orlando, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application Form
- Residency Affidavit
- $30 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Official Transcript of Records
- Minimum GPA of 2.0
- SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florida International University
Florida International University has a wide variety of selection of online degrees offered through the FIU Online, Florida International University’s online hub for online resources and online training/degree programs. Undergraduates can choose from more than 20 different unique programs, including bachelor’s degrees in Asian studies, computer engineering, crime science, economics, finance, health services administration, history, hospitality management, and human resource management to name a few. Graduate students can opt among FIU’s vast selection of master’s degree programs in international business, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, logistics engineering, music education, and public administration among many featured master’s degree programs.
Undergraduate programs require at least 120-credit hours for completion. Graduation requirements and program length vary for each program. All courses are taken and completed through Canvas, the university’s content management system that allows students to access learning materials, interact with other students and faculty, and many other learning activities. Also, distance learners have access to Success Coaches, a team dedicated to working closely with distance learners to coach, guide, listen and mentor them. They are assigned to specific programs, helping Success Coaches understand each program so they can encourage student success.
Location: Miami, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- SAT or ACT Test Scores
- Online Application
- Official Transcript of Records
- Residency Documentation
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
University of Florida
The University of Florida provides numerous online degree programs for undergraduate and graduate students. Its online undergraduate programs include business administration, computer science, environmental management, digital arts and sciences, microbiology and cell science, public relations, and telecommunication media and society. Prospective graduate students can choose among the vast selection of master’s degree programs, including master’s in material science and engineering, civil engineering, art education, entrepreneurship, international construction management, and veterinary forensic sciences, among the other numerous featured degree programs.
Online students complete a set of coursework asynchronously, enabling them to earn their degrees at their time frame and convenience. Each program has a variety of program completion requirements, but the majority of the bachelor’s degree programs require 120-credit hours of coursework for completion and take four years or less to earn. On the other hand, master’s degree programs require 30-36-credit hours of coursework and usually take two or four years to obtain. UF offers a wide range of student success services to boost their academic experience, providing students the accessibility to connected experiences with an academic advisor, tutoring, honors program, career resources, and fellowships.
Location: Gainesville, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- $37 Application Fee
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University boasts a wide selection of online degree programs that cater to online students obtaining their degrees in a variety of fields. Opportunities for distance learners can choose from Saint Leo’s minors, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Undergraduates can choose from more than 20 bachelor’s degrees in accounting, business administration, criminal justice, education, liberal studies, psychology, or sociology. Opportunities for graduate studies include majors in business administration, accounting, theology, cybersecurity management, health care management, criminal justice, instructional design, or software engineering.
Online bachelor’s degree programs at Saint Leo requires 120-credit hours for completion and generally take four years or less to earn. Instructors deliver courses entirely online and asynchronously, allowing distance learners to earn their degrees at their own pace and convenience. Admission Requirements for all types include a non-refundable fee of $45. Applicants should have a GPA of 2.0 and submit their standardized examination scores.
Location: Saint Leo, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- $45 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Official Secondary School Transcript
- Official GED Score Report
- Official Academic Transcripts
- Professional Training Documentation
- Official Scores for Standardized Examinations such as AP, CLEP, DANTES, ECE, USAFI, Regents Examinations (wherever applicable)
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University features more than 50 online degree programs ranging from undergraduate to graduate program levels. Undergraduate students select from online degree programs in different areas of study such as education, health science, human services administration, psychology, recreational therapy, respiratory therapy, and speech-language and communication disorders. Opportunities for students who want to pursue graduate studies include accounting, business administration, child protection, coastal zone management, computer science, criminal justice, forensic psychology, or health sciences, among many other featured degree programs.
Admission Requirements include an SAT or ACT score and an official transcript of records. The set of coursework at NSU are accessible any time of the day or night from anywhere with connectivity, enabling distance learners to obtain their degrees on their timeframe and at their convenience. The majority of the undergraduate programs require 120-credit hours for completion. Online students have access to 24/7 technical support while studying and completing their courses through the content management platform of NSU.
NSU offers flat-rate tuition for all its online degree programs, varying from each level of study.
Location: Davie, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcripts and Recommendations
- SAT/ACT Test Scores
- School Report
- One Letter of Recommendation
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
As an official member of the Southern Regional Education Board, along with 14 other member states, Florida collaborates proactively and closely with academic institutions and government sectors to continuously find ways to enhance online education in area states. The state’s investment in online education also covers online educational institutions in Florida. Furthermore, the state has allocated funds to support online learning programs and standards to improve course offerings available to students throughout Florida.
It is projected that in 2020, almost 60% of Florida’s job titles require job applicants to have some form of post-secondary education. As a result, the emergence of top online educational institutions delivering high-quality online degree programs in Florida help both in-state and out-of-state students earn their degrees due to the program’s accessibility, affordability, convenience, and flexibility.
Generally, students who enroll in public universities outside of their home states spend much more on tuition expenses than in-state students. However, distance learners who enroll in courses through online colleges and universities in Florida, but reside out-of-state, may be eligible for reduced tuition rates.
Through the Academic Common Market, online students living in SREB-member states can enroll in accredited programs in other member states where they pay in-state tuition. SREB has pre-approved over 1,900 programs for ACM tuition discounts and privileges. While the ACM does not accredit every public school program, it allows students to earn a degree from a participating academic institution if that program or degree major is not available in the candidate’s home state.
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When it comes to offering affordable college rates, college students attending Florida online schools have the best options. On this list are the 5 Best Value Online Schools in Florida, featuring some of the state’s highly regarded academic institutions that provide inexpensive distance learning programs to give all students a chance to earn a degree and carve out their own career paths.
University of West Florida
Considered as one of the state’s most affordable colleges, the University of West Florida has several undergraduate, graduate and certification program offerings. Opportunities for bachelor’s level Clinical Laboratory Sciences, RN-BSN, Community Education, Maritime Studies, Exceptional Student Education, Instructional Design and Technology, and Health Sciences. Prospective graduate students can choose from UWF’s 19 fully online graduate degree programs with over 30 different specializations.
UWF Online’s bachelor online degree programs have 120 credits in length. Instructors deliver the majority of the classes asynchronously, allowing distance learners to work at their own pace and convenience. Students can access their assignments, learning materials, and courses through FloridaShines, enabling students to take online courses on their schedules.
UWF Global Online has a detailed admission process. All details, steps, and considerations are thoroughly described in their admission checklist page. Transfer students are required to have a GPA of 2.0 and may be allowed to receive credit for up to 60-credit hours. Applicants must have 2.5 GPA as a requirement of the university’s entry to one of the online bachelor’s degree programs.
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- $30 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Official Transcripts
- SAT or ACT Test Scores
- Residency Application Form
- Immunization Requirements
- Financial Responsibility Statement
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Florida State College at Jacksonville offers a comprehensive selection of online degree programs that cater to distance learners earning their degrees in a variety of fields. Opportunities for distance learners can choose from FSCJ’s undergraduate degrees, and certificates. Undergraduates can choose from accelerated online options for students who want to expedite the process of obtaining an Associate in Arts Degree, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, or a Real Estate Agent Workforce Certificate.
The majority of FSCJ’s online bachelor’s degree programs require 120-credit hours for completion. Students can obtain their degrees in as little as 48 months or less, depending on their time frame and pace of learning. Due to some restrictions, FSCJ is not allowed to offer online courses to students from all states.
Admission Requirements are different per degree program. Applicants must provide SAT or ACT, Test Scores for assessment. Several Financial Aid options are readily available for students who qualify for the program.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Official Transcript of Records
- Residency Requirements
- SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University offers a selection of certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs for students who want to earn a completely online degree program. A total of 33 online programs that are offered 100% online, allowing students to earn their degrees in the convenience of their own homes. Undergraduates can take majors in arts and letters, nursing, business, design and social inquiry, science, and engineering & computer science. Online certificate programs include areas of study in meetings & events management, cybersecurity, nursing, geographic information systems, big data analytics, and child welfare.
While some are offered in a partially online or hybrid format, the majority of the degree programs mentioned above are delivered entirely online. Most online bachelor’s programs at FAU consist of 120-credit hours for completion, enabling students to earn their degrees in just 24 months or less. FAU’s online courses are certified by Quality Matters, a third-party quality assurance organization for verifying several online programs across the country. Professors deliver online instructions in the same way as their traditional counterparts, mirroring those they offer on the campus with online learning.
Location: Boca Raton, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- GED Requirements
- SAT or ACT Test Scores
- Online Application
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
University of North Florida
The University of North Florida offers several certificate, undergraduate, and graduate degree programs. Prospective undergraduate students can choose from two degree program offerings of UNF, namely RN-BSN Bridge Track, and American Sign Language Endorsement. Some of the popular graduate programs include Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Master of Science in American Sign Language/English Interpreting, Master of Education in Educational Leadership: Early Childhood Educational Leadership, and Doctor of Clinical Nutrition.
Most online undergraduate programs at UNF consist of 23 to 30-credit hours. The university’s master’s degree programs require 30-42 credit hours for completion. Completion requirements vary per degree program. Instructors deliver the set of coursework entirely online. However, several programs require occasional on-campus attendance.
UNF requires ACT or SAT Test Scores upon admission. A One-Stop Student Services provide comprehensive information and support, ranging from the registration process, requirements needed, transfer of credits, cost and fees, financial aid, important dates & deadlines, and other supplemental information for admission.
Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- $30 Non-Refundable Application Fee
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official SAT or ACT Test Scores
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Indian River State College
Indian River State College has several fully associate and bachelor’s degree programs to help students cope with their busy schedules. Prospective students can choose from associate degree offerings, namely Associate in Arts, Associate in Science in Business Administration, Associate in Science in Computer Information Technology, Associate in Science Criminal Justice Technology, and Associate in Science in Health Information Technology. Prospective students who are interested in a bachelor’s degree can choose from IRSC’s undergraduate offerings in different areas of study, such as criminal justice, business administration, organizational management, healthcare management, public administration, and nursing among other featured degree programs.
The majority of the bachelor’s programs can be earned in as little as four years or less, consisting of 120-credit hours for completion. The set of coursework is delivered entirely online in an asynchronous learning format. Also, the school offers bachelor’s degrees in a 2+2 format, and students must have an AA or AS degree before starting a program.
Most degree programs require a 2.0 GPA; however, some degrees have additional requirements. IRSC requires new online students to take a two-hour online orientation, consisting of video modules and examinations. Distance learners enjoy access to web-based learning resources, including resume assistance, career centers, career assessments, and job searches.
Location: Fort Pierce, Florida
Admission Requirements:
- Online Application
- Florida Residency Declaration for Tuition Purposes (For Florida Residents)
- Official High School Transcript of Records
- Official Transcripts
- GED Requirement
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges