Online Colleges in Florida

Whether you prefer to attend a big Florida university or a midsize college with smaller class sizes, you can be certain your choice to earn a degree in the Sunshine State will broaden your scope of job opportunities, help you qualify for higher paying careers, and prepare you for more advanced studies. With the best online colleges in Florida, you can remain in your home state and take advantage of in-state tuition, networking connections, and college name recognition, all while enjoying the benefits of distance education.

Featured Online Schools

Higher Learning Initiatives in Florida

Florida Virtual School

The Florida Virtual School is the largest (and oldest) state-run online K-12 school in the nation. Students from Florida can enroll in classes for free. However, out-of-state fees apply for nonresidents. The school offers an extensive catalog of online courses, including AP classes. During the 2012-2013 school year, high school students participated in virtual programs and could earn online diplomas.

University of Florida-Coursera Partnership

In 2012, Coursera announced its free mass open online course (MOOC) initiative. Joining the ranks of other top-tier universities, the University of Florida signed an agreement with Coursera to provide free, high-quality classes to the public. By participating in this innovative project, the University of Florida cemented its position as a supporter and leader of mainstream online education.

The Digital Learning Now Act

This 2011 bill demands school districts in Florida to establish online courses. It also requires students to take at least one online class in order to graduate from high school. The bill promotes school choice and familiarizes students with online learning. Moving further into digital education, the bill requires all statewide end-of-course assessments to be administered online by the 2014-2015 school year.

The Florida Virtual Campus

Provided by the State University System of Florida and the Florida College System, the Florida Virtual Campus consists of a comprehensive database of the online courses offered through the public higher education system. Created in 2012, the FVC offers academic support and organization to existing and potential students of online courses. Students can use the site to apply for programs and search for and enroll in online schools in Florida.

Popular Degree Programs in Florida

While tourism primarily drives Florida's economy, other industries — such as aviation and aerospace, life sciences, homeland security, information technology, and manufacturing — continue to make a positive impact on the economy. As a result, academic institutions, including the online community colleges in Florida, now offer degrees that reflect Florida's diverse industrial landscape, paving the way for students interested in pursuing employment in those specific industries.

• Criminology: Students pursuing a career as a police officer, attorney, government agent, or other law enforcement career study criminology. This field focuses on illegal human activities, legal processes, and crime prevention. Criminology majors remain popular in Florida, reflecting the state's robust defense and homeland security industry needs. The state houses 20 military installations and three unified combatant commands.

• Business Management and Administration: Florida's most common major, business management and administration, provides students with an education in accounting, sales and marketing, and economics. A degree in this field benefits students interested in scaling the corporate ladder, owning their own business, or managing a facility.

Paying for College in Florida

Price can play an important factor for prospective students when choosing a school. Tuition costs, housing, fees, books, and food can add up quickly, but federal and state aid, institutional work-study programs, and private scholarships can help students manage costs. Affordable online colleges in Florida also offer much lower costs than many comparable schools in other parts of the U.S.

Tuition Prices

Florida's public two- and four-year institutions charge lower tuition rates than the national average. Of course, students must also consider other expenses, such as books, transportation, and rent when totaling the cost of online colleges in Florida.

Average Price for In-State Tuition and Fees by Institution Type, 2017-18

Source: College Board

Employment Outlook in Florida

Right now, the unemployment rate stands unusually low in many areas across the United States. Still, employment opportunities and numbers vary by region. Florida, for instance, enjoys a higher rate of employment than the national average. Its large number of retirees may help keep healthcare, construction, and social service providers in business. The state also boasts thriving tourism and agriculture industries. Nevertheless, Florida's mean wage dips slightly below that of the U.S. average, so students should consider the overall cost of living when exploring higher education expenses in Florida.

Source: BLS

Source: BLS

Accreditation for Colleges in Florida

Accreditation may be the most important factor in any student's decision about where to attend college. Accreditation is a voluntary process in which schools demonstrate that they have met minimum standards in faculty selection, financial stability, and academic practice. Institutions must regularly undergo a review process by their accrediting bodies to retain their standing. By choosing an accredited school, students can qualify for more student aid, take professional exams, and meet eligibility requirements for graduate school admissions. In most cases, unaccredited schools do not receive federal aid, and graduates rarely qualify for master's programs or positions in teaching, accounting, or nursing, which require exams.

In the U.S., accreditation can be regional, national, or programmatic. Regional accreditation sets the standard in the field and applies to an entire school. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools provides regional accreditation in Florida. National accreditors grant status to schools that fit their specific niche, such as the Association for Biblical Higher Education. Programmatic agencies accredit specific programs like business, education, or engineering within an institution. A college may hold multiple kinds of accreditation, and accredited online colleges in Florida must meet the same standards as brick-and-mortar institutions.

Scholarships for Florida Online College Students

Pursuing a graduate or undergraduate degree at an online college in Florida can improve your outlook for career options and potential income, but higher education comes at a cost. Fortunately, federal and state aid can help students pay for college, as can private scholarships from foundations, corporations, churches, and nonprofits.

Resources for Students in Florida

• Florida College System: The Florida College System's website offers a tool that helps students select their majors and includes a student success center. Students can learn more about admissions, financial aid, residency, and academic programs on the site. Special resources exist for veterans, students from foster care, and those who are homeless.

• Florida Immigrant Coalition: An alliance of 62 organizations, the FLIC provides immigrants with an array of services, including access to college. Current or former undocumented students can receive assistance with enrollment and financial aid through FLIC. The website also links to information available through the National Immigration Law Center.

• Florida Department of Education: The FLDOE helps track and support student proficiency at all levels, from preschool through postsecondary education. The agency's website provides extensive information on college and career planning, including information on careers and economic security. Students can also find lists of Florida's public higher education institutions.

• Florida College Access Network: This collaborative network aims to help more Floridians earn a postsecondary degree through research, statewide initiatives, and local college access networks. Applicants can find assistance by filling out applications and FAFSA forms through the network, including information about upcoming events and webinars relevant to college admission.

• FloridaStudents.Org: This nonprofit website offers hundreds of tutorials in English, math, science, and social studies. Pre-college students can use the site to study for admissions tests, brush up on information, or generally prepare for college-level work. They can also find other resources to help with studying core subjects beyond the classroom.

Online Schools in Florida