2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Florida

Overview of Higher Education in Florida

Over the years, Florida has become a beacon for higher education. According to Statista, the Sunshine State ranks fifth in the country for the number of post-secondary schools it has to offer, with 128 four-year universities and 48 two-year colleges.

While quantity doesn't always equal quality, Florida's innovative 2+2 Transfer Pathways program has allowed for more students to graduate from an online community college and enter a bachelor's program at a university. The program works by state universities agreeing to accept transfer credits that students earn at the community college level. Historically, some universities have only accepted certain transferable credits, making it more difficult to achieve a bachelor's degree. For Florida online colleges, however, Transfer Pathways has broadly expanded student's access to higher education.

When it comes to earning a degree from an online community college in Florida, the advantages are crystal clear: The options are abundant and the path to a bachelor's degree is there for the taking. Now, let's take a look at some of the options for attending online colleges in Florida.

Online Schools in Florida

As stated above, Florida colleges online offer benefits that go beyond the general benefits of online community colleges.

Among these schools, students will find many varieties of associate degrees and certificates — most of which can be taken fully online and on a flexible schedule. For example, Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida offers 21 online programs in total. This includes associate degrees in criminology, math education, hospitality administration, and fire science technology. Its programs are designed with transferable credits in mind, leaving graduates with options to apply to a four-year university.

Furthermore, Florida is a part of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA), which is a national program designed to bolster distance learning initiatives. Florida Gateway College and Eastern Florida State College are two such institutions that offer consumer protections for students engaging in online coursework.

Online community colleges in Florida have several pathways to achieve career advancement. Many institutions, such as Seminole State College, have a long list of technical certificates that students can achieve through remote learning. This includes subjects in IT — such as network support and client specialist — or project management certificates that can be leveraged into a number of professional fields.

Accreditation of Online Colleges in Florida

Accreditation means that a college has been independently evaluated by a third-party education organization, such as the U.S. Department of Education. Schools that meet this standard have viable financials and qualified academic programs. Many Florida schools have regional accreditation through specific accrediting organizations, such as the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as well as the Commission on Colleges.

When applying to online colleges in Florida, it's important to verify that they are an accredited institution. It's important to ensure accreditation for several reasons, and one of these is that the school offers transferable credits. As mentioned above, Florida online colleges offer easy routes to transfer credits from an associate degree to a bachelor's degree. However, colleges that are not accredited may not be a part of the state's 2+2 Transfer Pathways program.

Another consideration when it comes to accreditation is a school's ability to provide financial aid:

Popular Online Degree Programs at Florida Community Colleges

Not all community college graduates need to pursue a bachelor's degree. Those with an online associate degree can go on to lead successful careers without incurring more tuition costs.

Cost of Florida Colleges Online

While the online college experience isn't for everyone, most of these schools are more affordable than traditional four-year universities. This makes distance learning attractive to students on a budget.

The average community college student will see $4,072 in annual tuition costs. Overall, online associate degrees from community colleges can cost upwards of $8,300. Keep in mind, online bachelor's degrees may reach $13,919 per year. According to EducationData.org, Florida averages a tuition cost of just $2,580 for in-state community college students. This makes it the 8th most affordable state for this particular education track.

Financial Aid for Online Students in Florida

Florida has many resources available for students seeking financial aid to pay for their online college tuition. Some students may qualify for fee exemptions if they are in an early admission program or find themselves enrolled in an approved apprenticeship. If you're a full-time employee or a student intern supervisor at a state university, you may qualify for tuition-free waivers. Florida also offers a number of scholarship opportunities, as well as financial aid for unhoused students and waivers for military members.

Aside from Florida-specific aid, there are plenty of ways to seek help through national financial aid programs. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a national program that provides financial assistance to students who need it.

Employment Outlook for Community College Graduates in Florida

According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity's short-term employment projections, the state expects a 5.1% job growth among all industries statewide into 2023. This includes 146,333 new hospitality jobs added by the second quarter of 2023, plus 59,639 new roles in the same period for the utilities, trade, and transportation industries. This helps illustrate the fact that several prominent corporations based in Florida hire thousands of graduates from local colleges and universities.