Most Affordable Colleges in Florida in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

From beautiful weather to white sand beaches to the lack of state income tax, there are many reasons why people love Florida. Did you know that Florida is also home to some of the best most affordable colleges in the country? Students looking for quality education without breaking the bank may find what they’re looking for in the Sunshine State.

Whether you’re looking to relocate or you’re already a Florida resident, choosing the location is just one piece of the puzzle. Other factors play a part in shaping your post-secondary experiences, such as college costs, graduation rate, and long-term academic success.

If you’re a student interested in attending college in Florida or you’re a parent of college-aged children, then this article is for you. You’ll discover some of the most affordable colleges in Florida, the pros and cons of community college, how to save money while attending school, as well as final things to consider when choosing a college in Florida. Let’s get right into it!

Attending Community College in Florida As an Out-of-State Student
Attending school in Florida has a variety of advantages (besides the gorgeous weather). For those pursuing a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree, the program options are plentiful at the state’s many community colleges. You don’t need to study at an expensive college or state university to obtain a quality post-secondary education. However, if you wish to apply your credits to a master’s degree or graduate program following community college, they are transferable to a state university.

5 Most Affordable Colleges in Florida

With that said, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of attending community college in Florida if you are from out-of-state.

Pros

1. Financial advantage – This is mostly due to the very reasonable pricing. Community college is much cheaper than attending a private university simply because it’s heavily funded by the state rather than student-paid tuition. Florida also has the second-lowest annual tuition rates in the United States, which plays a huge part in why they were rated as the best state for higher education by U.S News and World Report. 

2. Increasing job market – Florida’s job market is growing. The pace of job growth in the state has been ahead of the nation for years. Plus, Florida’s market is expected to grow another 1.3 percent in 2021, making it an excellent place for both graduates and students looking for part-time work during their studies.

3. Bachelor’s degree programs – Previously, many community colleges only offered undergraduate degrees. Now 27/48 Floridian colleges are currently offering bachelor’s degree programs, and this number is only expected to grow to meet workforce demands in the future. Degree programs are much more affordable at a community college as opposed to studying at a state university. 

4. Convenient locations – The Florida College System is comprised of 28 public community colleges and state colleges, with a total of 68 locations. They are conveniently located around the state, so you have more campuses to choose from when deciding on a school.

5. Prepaid plans – All 28 of the colleges accept prepaid plans, as specified by the Florida 529 Savings Plan and Florida Prepaid College Plan. If you plan to relocate after your studies, the credits can also transfer to other eligible schools nationwide.

6. More intimate class size – Classes at community colleges are smaller than those at state universities. You can expect class sizes of around 20 students at most colleges. This small class size is a great advantage because it’s been proven that smaller classes increase communication between teacher and students. Students also get more individual attention and increased participation, resulting in better overall learning outcomes.

7. Independence – Many students love moving to a new state because it gives them independence. Moving away is a new experience for some and can be freeing for many students. Plus, the weather in Florida is very attractive to young people from colder parts of the country.

8. New friends – When you move to a new state, you make plenty of new friends that you wouldn’t have otherwise had the opportunity to meet. Not knowing anybody in school will force you to branch out and form new friendships – some that could even last a lifetime.

9. Potential for state university transfer – If you earn your associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a community college, you can transfer to a Florida university. If you earn a degree within three years from one of the eight partnering public colleges while maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA, then you are automatically granted a transfer to Florida State University. Not to mention, you will have received a good portion of your education for a fraction of the cost.

Cons

1. Higher costs than in-state students – If you are an out-of-state student, you will be paying significantly higher college tuition rates than Florida residents. However, you will still be paying much less than the national average, which is something to consider.

2. Fewer state grants and scholarships – Most states offer grants and scholarships to students going to school within that state. In Florida, most non-resident students aren’t eligible for this free money. Although some state schools offer merit scholarships to out-of-state students, it’s still not sufficient to cover attendance.

3. Less financial aid – If you aren’t from Florida, unfortunately, you automatically qualify for less financial aid. Most out-of-state students will have to pay for the entirety of their tuition themselves.

4. Homesickness – There is always the potential to become homesick once you are living in a new state. Not having family and friends around may be an adjustment for some students. Depending on how far away you are, even if homesickness isn’t a factor, it may still be harder to get home over breaks and the holidays, mostly because of the extra money and travel time it could take to return to your home state.

5. Can be harder to get accepted – Sometimes, it’s more difficult for out-of-state students to get into Florida colleges. Depending on the college you apply to, some schools have higher academic requirements that you need to meet. An ideal out-of-state student often has a stellar academic record and can pay for their full attendance out-of-pocket.

Attending College or University in Florida as an In-State Student

Do You Qualify?

Are you currently a Florida resident? To qualify, the student or parent of the student must be a resident for at least 12 months before the term starting date.

However, if you are 24-years-old or over, you are considered an independent student. What this means is that you must provide proof of residency instead of qualifying through your parents. If the student is under age 24 and still claimed as a dependent on the parents’ federal income taxes, they are still eligible to qualify through the parents’ residency.

Benefits

If accepted as an in-state student, you can enjoy benefits like enjoying lower tuition fees than those who are from out-of-state. You’ll discover the difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition fees below in just a moment.

If you currently reside in Florida, another benefit is that you save thousands of dollars on room and board. There is likely no need for room and board each year if you’re sticking close to home. You can save as much money as possible while living with your family.

Average Cost of a Florida College

In-State Tuition

As mentioned, if you’ve been a Florida resident for at least 12 months, you are eligible to pay in-state tuition. For the year 2019-2020, the average tuition cost of in-state students in Florida was $3,894. The national average for in-state tuition is much higher, at $6,768 per academic year. The annual tuition savings for students who qualify are substantial.

Out-of-State Tuition

For students studying in Florida from out-of-state, the average tuition cost from 2019-2020 was $15,293, which is still significantly lower than the national average of $17,692 for out-of-state students.

If you’re currently thinking of applying to a Florida college or university but aren’t a resident, not to worry. There are still plenty of ways to reduce both annual tuition and living expenses to make things more affordable. You’ll find out about several options later in this article.

How Florida Colleges Keep Their Costs Low

Reducing Fees

Florida College Systems keep their costs low by regularly reviewing and reducing fees to help students save money. Their main goal is to ensure the fees charged to students never exceed the cost of providing the course. By doing this, student fees are greatly reduced and sometimes even eliminated.

Improving Graduation Rate

Florida colleges focus on operating efficiently to reduce times until graduation. Improving the graduation rate has numerous benefits for both students and the state, which is great news for people going to school in Florida. Graduates can start making money sooner and earning higher wages quicker. In turn, student living expenses are reduced, which benefits the state by allowing new students to come through sooner.

Making Materials More Affordable

There are also agreements in place to keep textbooks and materials affordable for students. They utilize open educational resources, textbook rentals, and some institutions even have programs in place that don’t require the purchase or rental of textbooks. These savings reduce the amount students have to spend on instructional materials for the classroom.

Creating More Online Programs

Many colleges in Florida have several virtual course options, including several fully online certificate programs from Eastern Florida State College and Florida SouthWestern State College. Online colleges reduce costs while also giving students the flexibility to complete their studies on their terms. This flexibility is a plus for students trying to earn a living while studying.

The number of online courses has significantly increased to keep up with the demands of 2021; however, it is undetermined which courses will return to regular in-person classes and when. Are you currently checking out online universities? If earning your online bachelor’s degree is something that interests you, then there’s no better time than now.

Rising College and University Costs

Studies show that tuition rose a whopping 35% for public schools since the Great Recession from 2008 to 2018. Unfortunately, that percentage continues to grow, and colleges are now costing more than ever.

These rising college costs are partially due to the greater accessibility of higher education aid. The greater availability of student loans in the last few decades allows many more people to attend college and university than ever before. Increasing the cost of tuition and college fees is the natural reaction to this inflation.

Another reason for the rise in annual tuition across the nation is partially due to deep state funding cuts. State and local governments are no longer footings as much of the bill. When the state has fewer options available for funding, it forces students to pay more tuition out of their own pockets.

That said, there are still ways to save money by attending the most affordable colleges while still getting a high-quality higher education. Let’s have a look at some of the options below.

Ways to Save Money on College in Florida

How to Find the Most Affordable Colleges in Florida

Attending a state college over a private school will save you thousands of dollars, but did you know there are ways to keep even more money in your pocket? Whether or not you already have a college savings plan in place, there are ways to ensure you don’t wind up with debt that takes half a lifetime to pay off.

1. Look into dual enrollment – If you’re currently finishing high school, you may want to check with your guidance counselor about dual enrollment. Taking college courses while finishing high school is an option for students looking to get a jump start on their post-secondary education while saving money at the same time.

2. Save on study materials – If your program requires you to buy textbooks, never buy them new. By renting or purchasing used materials from the school store or someone else, you can keep extra college savings throughout your studies. Then, when you’re finished with them, sell them to someone else, and make some money back. It’s also worth checking out online retailers to see if they have a better price point. 

3. Compare housing options – Not everybody is fortunate enough to live close to school. If you can avoid living on campus, you can likely save a lot of money. Staying with family or friends is a great option for some. However, if you have to pay rent off-campus, always consider other living expenses, such as utilities, transportation, and food. These can add up quite quickly.

4. Earn money while you study – Having a part-time job or enrolling in a work-study program is a great way to earn extra money while in school. Working near campus has several benefits such as less commute, the employer is likely familiar with working with college students, and can often provide a more flexible schedule.

Look into Resident Assistant positions at your college. RA’s are paid to monitor and support undergraduates in college campus housing while acting as a role model for other students. They make a decent wage, and the position usually comes with either discounted or free room and board.

5. Use public transportation – You can save hundreds of dollars taking public or campus transportation to save on insurance and gas money. Be sure to show your student ID for the student discount. A lot of students want to take their car with them to school, and there are times when it comes in handy. But taking public transportation whenever possible is still a cost-saving way to go.

6. Utilize your student discount on other purchases – Every college student should take advantage of their student discount. Specific requirements will vary by store, but you can get 10-15% percent off your purchases at a variety of retail stores, restaurants, and entertainment.

7. Graduate on time –  Before applying to college, know what your game plan is. By deciding what you want to do with your life ahead of time, you can enroll in the appropriate courses. You’ll save money in the long run by taking only the courses that will contribute to your degree and help you graduate on time.

8. Be careful with student loans – If opting for the student loan route, be sure to pay back any unused money after completing your studies. Ask your school to send the remaining student loan money back to the lender to pay the debt off faster.

Federal Student Loans

The Department of Education gives federal student loans to those in need. The amount of money you are eligible for is based on the degree level you are working toward. There are two federal student loan programs in the United States: the Direct Loan Program and the Perkins Loan Program. The benefit of these loans is that there is more flexibility to pay them back, and they generally have lower fixed interest rates.

One thing to mention is that most of these loans require you to pay interest while you are in school. If you need financial assistance, you may qualify for a subsidized loan, which means your loan doesn’t accrue interest for the period of your studies.

Private Student Loans

Financial institutions and other private agencies fund private school loans. These loans aren’t based on need. To secure one, your credit must be established and in good standing. If you’re a college student with little to no credit history, you will likely require a co-signer, such as a parent or a guardian.

It’s also worth noting that, although subsidized, the interest rate on private loans tends to vary. They almost always have much higher interest rates than federal loans, so consider that before applying.

Grants and Scholarships

Grants are awarded to students who need them most financially, whereas scholarships are merit-based. Grants and scholarships are usually available to in-state students only. If you are an international student or from out-of-state, unfortunately, you will likely not be eligible to apply for either, although some colleges do seek out-of-state applicants. Check with your financial aid office for specific requirements.

If seeking a grant, they are available through a variety of institutions, including federal and state governments, schools, and even nonprofit organizations. They do come with requirements to fill; however, the good news is that they never have to be paid back.

You may also be eligible for a scholarship for good academic scores or exceptional sports performance, as well as a variety of other achievements. Some students think they need perfect grades to qualify for a scholarship, but this couldn’t be further from the case. If this route interests you, be sure to apply anyway.

Applying for Aid

If you decide to seek financial aid when attending a Florida college, you should fill out a Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) form to determine your eligibility. Once you’ve submitted the form, be sure to check with your school’s financial aid office to confirm that it has been received.

The Florida Department of Education Office of Student Financial Assistance can also help find resources for applying for aid. Utilize all of the information you can to make an informed decision that’s right for you and your family.

Debt-Free Tuition Options

Worried about paying off debts and loans for years to come? The Florida College System provides students with options to earn their degree without taking on debt. Having the option to earn an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree without taking out a student loan is an incredible advantage for students and parents alike. Students have the option to pay their tuition through:

• Payment plans.
• Grants and scholarships.
• Tuition reimbursement plans.
• College work-study programs. 

Most Affordable Colleges in Florida in 2021

Methodology

We included each of these schools that are fully accredited by ranking them as among the most affordable colleges in the State of Florida. We wanted to shine a light on Florida schools that provide a high-quality education at an affordable cost. When there was a tie, we gave the school with the highest number of academic programs and accrediting bodies the higher ranking.

We took an unbiased approach in our rankings, and we do our best to be fair, honest and accurate in the ranking of the schools. Please note that the listed cost of tuition is the cost of enrolling in the classes, and is based on one credit hour of study. The listed tuition is for resident students unless stated otherwise in the listing of an individual school. The tuition cost does not cover required fees, supplies, housing, or other costs of attending the college or university.

We do not allow any college to pay us for a higher ranking. We list any sponsored school separately, where it is clearly labeled as SPONSORED.

If you would like us to include your school in our rankings, or if you need to update your school’s information, please feel free to contact us.