Colleges and universities in the state Florida offer a wide range of online bachelor's and master's programs to help broaden your education. Online degree programs have become increasingly popular in recent years, due in part to the convenience of attending school remotely while being free to attend to work and life obligations.
About 14% of college students around the U.S. studied exclusively online as of 2018, according to the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) National Center for Education Statistics. And, that work and time spent completing online degrees will likely pay off in both employment opportunities and salaries. For example, social workers in the state of Florida earn an average salary of $52,770 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Elementary school teachers in Florida earn an average salary of $57,520 per year, while software developers make an average salary of $100,030, and registered nurses earn an average annual salary of $69,510.
You may choose an online school in Florida for many reasons. For one, you can qualify for in-state tuition after living in Florida for 12 months. Additionally, some online programs in Florida combine online learning with in-person classes, and studying from home often proves convenient to working students.
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
The 10 Best Value Online Schools in Florida
In-State Tuition Cost in Florida
Compared to the rest of the nation, in-state tuition in Florida comes with quite an affordable price tag. The average cost of in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions in Florida averages about $4,443, while the national average for in-state tuition is about $9,212 per year — or about twice the cost of Florida's in-state tuition.
Tuition at a private university in Florida is far more expensive, however. It costs about $26,317 per academic year to attend a private, four-year institution in Florida. While that may seem pricey, it's still a few thousand dollars below the national average for private tuition, which is $31,875.
Out-of-State Tuition Cost in Florida
If you're attending school out of state, you should be prepared to shell out more money than state residents attending the same school. In Florida, the out-of-state tuition costs average about $18,456 per year at a public college or university. This is still significantly less than the national average for out-of-state tuition, which is about $26,382 per year.
Keep in mind that these cost estimates only include room and board, which are additional costs tacked on to the price of your education.
Average Cost of Room and Board in Florida
Room and board are often some of the heftiest bills that college students foot, especially if you live on campus. In Florida, you'll pay an average of about $6,173 for your room and $4,443 for your board, bringing the total to a little over $10,600.
While this is no small sum, it's still a bit less than the national average cost for room and board, which are $6,459 and $4,927 respectively. If you're living off campus in Florida, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $1,800, with the price highly dependent on the area in which you choose to live.
Scholarships for Online Students in Florida
Although finding affordable online schools in Florida may seem challenging, many state-specific scholarships can help offset expenses. The existing scholarships cover a variety of majors and programs for bachelor's and master's degrees. The list below includes more information on scholarships for online students in Florida.
Florida Nurses Foundation Scholarships
Who Can Apply: Those enrolled in a nationally accredited nursing program with at least one completed semester in their current nursing program may qualify. Applicants must have lived in Florida at least one year and need a minimum GPA of 2.5 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: April 15
José Martí Scholarship Challenge Grant
Who can apply: Students born in or having a natural parent born in Mexico or another Hispanic country in the Caribbean, Central America, or South America may apply. Applicants need a minimum unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.0 by the end of the seventh semester.
Amount: $2,000 per school year
Deadline: April 1
Minority Teacher Education Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Florida residents who are Black, Hispanic, Asian American/Pacific Islander, or American Indian/Alaskan Native in a state-approved teacher education program may apply. Applicants must not hold a bachelor's degree in education.
Amount: $4,000 annually or $2,000 a semester
Deadline: For fall semester: August 1; for spring semester: November 30
Scholarships for Children and Spouses of Deceased or Disabled Veterans
Who Can Apply: Dependent children ages 16 to 22 or spouses of Florida veterans may apply. Applicants must enroll for at least six credits per term.
Amount: Variable, but it can be up to 100% of the cost of tuition and registration fees
Deadline: April 1
SILA Post-Secondary College Foundation Scholarship
Who Can Apply: Applicants majoring in business, education, finance, information technology, insurance studies, marketing, or mathematics and who have a 3.0 GPA or higher may apply.
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 31
