20 Best Affordable Schools in Florida for Bachelor’s Degree 2020

Students looking for an affordable bachelor's degree in Florida might be pleasantly surprised at the options available to them. The state is home to six major medical schools, 12 public universities, and many private universities and colleges. They differ in setting, structure, and size. Although it may sound overwhelming, we have identified the most affordable bachelor's degree colleges in Florida to help you find a quality education at an affordable price. Here, you will find a variety of schools, including:

• regional institutions

• large state schools

• religiously affiliated collegesspecialty institutions.

However, every school on the following list has been ranked according to a specific set of criteria as outlined below.

Featured Programs

Methodology

Our goal is to provide a list of the most affordable colleges and universities in Florida. We also want to ensure that the programs these institutions offer are high-quality and provide a sound academic experience. So we developed a scoring model based on three core metrics pertaining to affordability, class size, and student success. We looked at each school as a whole rather than focusing on any particular degree or industry in order to provide the most comprehensive overview possible. To get our initial list of schools, we conducted a search for the term "colleges in Florida" using the College Navigator tool at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). To ensure that we were providing accurate and up-to-date information, we cross-referenced the data we pulled with information obtained from each school's website.

Average Cost of Attendance

Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate degree for the first time or you have been in the workforce for a decade and you are considering going back to school to earn a degree and advance your career, one of the first things you might find yourself thinking about is the cost of the program. Fortunately, there are hundreds of affordable bachelor's degrees in Florida across every industry. The key to finding the right one is to think about tuition in relation to what the program has to offer. Some of the most expensive degrees from the most prestigious schools might be lacking in certain areas, while some of the cheapest programs from public state schools meet your academic needs in every way. For the purpose of this article, we ranked schools according to how much in-state students can expect to pay if they take 15 hours per semester for one year of study. We also provided out-of-state tuition rates for your reference only. We did not use these figures as a basis for awarding points.

Student/Faculty Ratio

When we look at the size of a school, we look at enrollment numbers as well as student/faculty ratios. Specifically, this ratio can give us a solid understanding of class size and whether students will have an opportunity for individualized studies, personal relationships with faculty members and peers, or one-on-one advising or mentoring. When thinking about whether you would like to pursue a large or small school, consider your own academic background as well as your personal priorities. A small class of five students might be too personal for you, while a large class of more than 30 students might not provide enough accountability. For the purpose of this list, however, we determined that colleges and universities with the lowest student/faculty ratios would earn the most points based on the following ranges.

Graduation Rate

Many prospective students look to a school's admission rate to determine their chance of getting into any given program. Few think about graduation rates and how many students actually earn their degree from that school. Graduation rates are a good way of determining whether students are satisfied with their academic experience. In other words, schools with low graduation rates might be struggling to provide certain components that students need to succeed. As a result, students leave and continue their education elsewhere. On the other hand, schools with high graduation rates may offer academic support, opportunities for advising, affordable programs or generous financial aid, and helpful faculty members who are well-known in their respective fields. Therefore, schools that reported high graduation rates earned the most points as indicated below.

Ranking Top 20 Best Affordable Bachelor's Degree Colleges in Florida

20. Bethune-Cookman University

Daytona Beach, Florida

Bethune-Cookman University is a private HBCU.

Points: 5School Website

Bethune-Cookman University is a private HBCU. It was established in 1904. The school offers on-campus and fully online undergraduate and graduate. These are offered through its:

• College of Business and Entrepreneurship

• College of Education

• College of Health Sciences

• School of Hospitality Management

• College of Liberal Arts

• School of Nursing

• School of Performing Arts and Communication

• School of Religion

• College of Science, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Students can choose from affordable Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees.The most popular majors include:

• gerontology

• psychology

• business administration and management

• corrections and criminal justice,

• the liberal arts and sciences.

19. Hodges University

Naples, Florida

Hodges University enrolls more than 1,600 students each year.

Points: 5School Website

Founded as International College in 1990, Hodges University is a private institution of higher learning. It enrolling more than 1,600 students each year. Hodges offers:

• accelerated schedules

• customized educational pathways

• hybrid educational course offerings

These enablestudents to attend online, on-campus, or a combination of the two delivery formats. Students may choose from affordable bachelor's degrees across a number of majors, including:

• software development

• cybersecurity and networking,

• computer information technology

• accounting

• business administration

• marketing

Other popular programs include:

• nursing

• health services administration

• health sciences

Students benefit from in-demand course offerings, internship opportunities, and monthly start dates.

18. Ave Maria University

Ave Maria, Florida

Ave Maria University enrolls 1,100 students each year.

Points: 6School Website

Ave Maria University is a private Catholic university devoted to producing faithful mentors, leaders, and educators. It offers one of the top classical liberal arts curricula in the state. It also offers numerous opportunities for specialized study in all of the humanities and sciences. The school enrolls 1,100 students each year. About 85 percent of its students are Catholic. Students may choose from 34 majors and 24 minors, including inexpensive programs in:

• psychology

• nursing

• marine biology

• healthcare management

• Christian and early Christian literature

• Catholic studies

• exercise physiology

• business administration

The school is known for its caring staff and dedicated faculty and faithfulness to the Catholic Church. It also has exceptional academic programs, and an educational philosophy that aims to develop the whole person.

17. Everglades University

Boca Raton, Florida

Everglades University enrolls around 2,247 students each year.

Points: 6School Website

Established in 1999, Everglades University, formerly the American Flyers College, is a nonprofit, private university. It was established in 1999. It offers inexpensive undergraduate and graduate programs both online and on-campus. The school enrolls around 2,247 (1,877 undergraduate) students each year. The school offers a number of unique undergraduate degrees, including programs in:

• alternative medicine

• alternative and renewable energy management

• construction management

• aviation/aerospace

• crisis and disaster management

• land and energy management

• surveying management

• environmental policy

Other available bachelor's degrees include:

• international business

• hospitality management

• business administration

Everglades University offers small class sizes, innovative academic programs, and opportunities for research and experiential learning. It aims to educate adult learners in a collaborative environment in which they can achieve personal growth.

16. Carlos Albizu University-Miami

Miami, Florida

Carlos Albizu University-Miami was established in 1966.

Points: 6School Website

Established in 1966, Carlos Albizu University-Miami is a nonprofit, private university. It was the first professional school of psychology in the Caribbean and North America. CAU-Miami offers affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of:

• education

• criminal justice

• psychology

It also has programs in speech/language therapy and psychology at its San Juan campus. Students enjoy small class sizes and learning from expert faculty members. The school reports that more than 75 percent of its students qualify to receive financial aid in the form of on-campus employment, loans, or grants. Students also have plenty of opportunities for practical experience, thanks to CAU's location in Miami and its network of external practicum sites. CAU offers online, night, evening, afternoon, and morning classes to provide learners with the convenience and flexibility.

15. Florida Gulf Coast University

Fort Myers, Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University offers nearly 100 academic degree programs.

Points: 6School Website

Established in 1991, Florida Gulf Coast University is a public space-grant university. It's a member of the 12-school State University of Florida. FGCU offers nearly 100 academic degree programs to more than 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school is known for its research contributions to a number of fields, including:

• justice and youth studies

• sustainability education

• coastal watersheds

• real estate

• biotechnology.

It's comprised of:

• College of Engineering

• College of Health and Human Services

• College of Business

• College of Education,

• College of Arts and Sciences

FGCU offers popular low cost majors in:

• psychology

• criminal justice and safety studies

• resort management

• business administration and management

• speech communication and rhetoric

The school's 22:1 student/faculty ratio and dedicated faculty ensure a personal academic experience in a state-of-the-art setting.

14. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University offers 60 bachelor's degrees.

Points: 6School Website

Founded in 1887, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a land-grant, public HBCU. It's a member institution of the State University System of Florida. It's the fifth-largest HBCU by enrollment in the country and the only public HBCU in the state. FAMU is strongly committed to:

• service

• partnerships

• research

It's accredited to award affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees to more than 9,500 students each year. FAMU offers around 60 bachelor's degrees in a number of studies. Psychology, journalism, and architecture among the most popular undergraduate majors. The school offers access to many centers and institutes on-campus that promote everything from environmental justice and equity to international agricultural development and trade. Research is heavily focused on the health and agricultural sciences.

13. Daytona State College

Daytona Beach, Florida

Daytona State College offers degrees to more than 16,500 students each year.

Points:School Website

Founded in 1957, Daytona State College is a member institution of the Florida College System. It's comprised of

• College of Health and Public Services

• College of Arts and Sciences

• College of Business, Engineering & Technology

• College of Workforce

• Continuing and Adult Education.

DSC offers affordable degrees to more than 16,500 students each year. It incorporates innovative teaching practices that increase the chance of student success. Its most popular majors include:

• the liberal arts and humanities

• business

• nursing

• police and criminal science

• information technology

Affordable online programs allow nontraditional, adult, and working students to earn a bachelor's degree through flexible distance learning courses.

12. Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, Florida

Florida State College at Jacksonville enrolls nearly 50,000 students each year.

Points: 6School Website

Founded in 1966 as Florida Junior College, Florida State College was founded in 1966 as Florida Junior College. It's a member of the Florida College System. FSCJ enrolls nearly 50,000 students each year. The school offers affordable bachelor's degrees in several areas of study, including:

• business

• education

• health and human services

• information technology

• public safety and security

• the sciences

• transportation and logistics,

• communications

• digital media

• entertainment technology

Programs are available online and on-campus. FSCJ is committed to helping students find ways to lower, manage, and meet their education costs through a variety of payment and financing options.

11. Indian River State College

Fort Pierce, Florida

Indian River State College offers more than 100 areas of study.

Points: 6School Website

Located on an 87-acre campus in Fort Pierce, Florida, Indian River State College is a state college serving the counties of:

• St. Lucie

• Okeechobee

• Martin,

• Indian River

In 2019, IRSC was awarded the Aspen Prize for community college excellence. IRSC provides affordable career training programs as well as more than 100 areas of study that lead to:

• applied technology diplomas

• technical certificates

• associate degrees

• bachelor's degrees

Meta majors are offered in areas such as:

• business

• STEM

• public safety

• health science

• education

• industry, manufacturing, and construction

• arts

• humanities

• communications and design

Students are prepared to enter the workforce immediately after graduation. Opportunities through service learning, capstone projects, and internships complement their academic experience.

10. Gulf Coast State College

Panama City, Florida

Gulf Coast State College provides more than 150 degree programs.

Points: 6School Website

Established in 1957, Gulf Coast State College is a community college. Founded as Gulf Coast Community College, GCSC is a member institution of the Florida College System. GCSC provides more than 150 affordable programs, including bachelor's degrees in:

• nursing

• technology management

• digital media with specializations in Web development specialist and production

• organizational management with options in health services, emergency services, and corporate entrepreneurship.

Other low-cost programs include:

• 75 associate degree transfer tracks

• 27 Associate of Science degrees

• 44 college credit, postsecondary adult vocational, and technical certificates.

Faculty members are experts in their fields, passionate about their courses and programs, and eager to work with students

9. University of Fort Lauderdale

Lauderhill, Florida

The University of Fort Lauderdale was founded in 1995.

Points: 7School Website

The University of Fort Lauderdale was founded in 1995 as a nondenominational Christian institution of higher education. The school was established with the goal of advancing Christian education and promoting leadership in nonsecular and secular areas. UFL is comprised of:

• a College of Business Leadership

• a College of Religious Studies

• a College of Liberal Studies

The colleges offer bachelor's degrees in:

• business administration

• ministry

• liberal studies

Students pursuing these programs can tailor their degrees through concentrations. With an annual enrollment of fewer than 50 students, the 5:1 student/faculty ratio allows the school to offer many opportunities for mentorship, advising, and personal academic support.

8. Florida International University

Miami, Florida

Florida International University enrolls 54,000 students each year.

Points: 7School Website

Established in 1965, Florida International University is a public research university. The school is comprised of two campuses, Biscayne Bay and Maidique, that enroll 54,000 students each year. Students may choose to participate in more than 300:

• interest groups

• cultural organizations

• honor and professional societies

• academic associations

• 18 NCAA intercollegiate athletic teams.

It offers more than 100 inexpensive undergraduate programs across its divisions, including

• international and public affairs

• public health and social work

• nursing and health sciences

• law

• medicine

• engineering and computing

• hospitality and tourism management

• business

• education

• arts and sciences

Fully online programs are also available, allowing students to further their education without sacrificing work or family responsibilities.

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, Florida

The University of South Florida has an enrollment of more than 50,700 students each year.

Points: 7School Website

The University of South Florida is a public research university and a member institution of the State University System of Florida. Established in 1956, USF is the fourth-largest public institution of higher learning in the state. It has an enrollment of more than 50,700 students each year. USF operates three separate institutions:

• USF Tampa

• USF Sarasota-Manatee

• USF St. Petersburg

The university is comprised of 14 colleges. Students can choose from 180 affordable undergraduate majors and degree programs at the specialist, master's, and doctoral levels. Popular majors at USF include:

• engineering

• the social sciences

• the biological and biomedical sciences

• health professions

• business, management, and marketing

Undergraduates are strongly encouraged to take advantage of a number of study abroad programs and research opportunities.

6. University of North Florida

Jacksonville, Florida

The University of North Florida has six degree granting colleges.

Points: 7School Website

The University of North Florida is a public university and a member institution of the State University System of Florida. UNF is recognized among the top best value colleges in the U.S. It offers many merit-based scholarships to help reduce the cost of an already competitive tuition rate. Students may pursue a degree from one of six colleges:

• the Hicks Honors College

• the Brooks College of Health

• the Coggin College of Business

• the College of Arts and Sciences

• the College of Education and Human Services,

• the College of Computing, Engineering, and Construction.

Students may choose from on-campus or online degree programs that focus on quality, with small class sizes and high levels of interactions between students and professors.

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

The University of Florida offers 100 undergraduate majors.

Points: 7School Website

The University of Florida is a space-, sea-, and land-grant research university. Founded in 1853, UF is a senior member of the State University System of Florida and the only Association of American Universities member university in the state. UF offers:

• 200 graduate programs

• 100 undergraduate majors

• 30 certificates

It enrolls more than 52,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. UF's most popular majors include:

• communication and journalism

• the biological and biomedical sciences

• engineering

• business

The school's Innovation Academy is one of the most forward-looking undergraduate programs in the country. Through a unique spring-summer schedule, UF students benefit from a small-college experience focused on:

• leadership

• ethics

• entrepreneurship

• creativity,

• innovation.

4. University of Central Florida

Orlando, Florida

The University of Central Florida was founded in 1963.

Points: 7School Website

The University of Central Florida was founded in 1963 as Florida Technological University. Its goal was to educate personnel to support the growing space program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center. Today, the school is primarily known for its research in:

• simulation

• optics

• digital media

• engineering,

• aeronautics

It has grown into the largest institution of higher learning in the country, enrolling more than 68,500 students each year. UCF offers more than 200 affordable degrees through its 13 colleges across 10 regional campuses. It also has strong programs in:

• management

• education

• business

It has an average freshman retention rate of 89 percent, which is an indicator of student satisfaction. It has a graduation rate of 70 percent as well as one of the lowest in-state tuition rates on our list.

3. Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University was established in 1851.

Points: 7School Website

Florida State University is a public sea- and space-grant research university. It's a senior member of the State University System of Florida. It was established in 1851. FSU offers renowned affordable undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Many of these are among the highest rated in the country, including those in:

• ecology and evolutionary biology

• chemistry and physics

• psychology and sociology

• meteorology

In addition, its arts programs in theater, music, film, and dance are recognized among the best in the world.

2. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Florida Atlantic University offers more than 170 undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Points: 7School Website

Florida Atlantic University is a public university and a member institution of the State University System of Florida. Established as the first public institution of higher learning in southeast Florida, FAU offers more than 170 low cost undergraduate and graduate degrees through its 10 colleges. It enrolls about 30,000 students. Programs of study are offered in areas such as:

• computer science

• engineering

• architecture

• social work

• public administration

• education

• business

• accounting

• nursing

• medicine

• the sciences

• the arts and humanities

FAU is continuing to increase its research and academic standings while remaining a traditional university. It's building new facilities, increasing research funding, raising admissions standards, and establishing valuable partnerships with major research institutions.

1. New College of Florida

Sarasota, Florida

The New College of Florida is a public liberal arts honors college.

Points: 9School Website

Established in 1960, New College of Florida is a public liberal arts honors college. Although it was founded as a private institution, it is now an autonomous member of the State University System of Florida. The school offers 35 undergraduate majors divided into interdisciplinary studies:

• the natural sciences

• the social sciences

• the humanities,

Special concentrations are offered in:

• medieval and Renaissance studies

• urban studies

• public policy

The school enrolls fewer than 900 students, and professors evaluate their students' work through narrative evaluations rather than letter grades. Every January, students are required to work on an independent study project that may consist of:

• a theatrical or musical performance

• art exhibit

• off-campus internship

• study abroad program

• scholarly paper

• lab experiment.

Every degree program culminates in a senior thesis project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Most In-Demand Careers in Florida for Graduates With a Bachelor's Degree?

When looking at statistics concerning salaries and occupations, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is a great place to start. According to the BLS, the Florida job market closely mirrors averages throughout the country. In April 2019, the unemployment rate for Florida was 3.4 percent, 0.2 percentage points lower than the national rate for that month.

The most in-demand careers in Florida are in the field of healthcare, which is not entirely surprising considering that nearly 20 percent of its population is over the age of 65, according to the 2010 census. According to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the following are the top 10 fastest-growing occupations between 2018 to 2026.

• Physician Assistants

• Home Health Aides

• Nurse Practitioners

• Personal Care Aides

• Medical Assistants

• Physical Therapist Assistants

• Software Developers, Applications

• Information Security Analysts

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary

• Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists

The Florida DEO also provides information related to the fastest-growing industries. When we compare the number of available positions in 2018 to the anticipated number of positions available in 2026, we can determine the growth percentage. Among the fastest-growing are ambulatory healthcare services as well as nursing and residential care facilities. The need for workers in educational services and social assistance is also expected to rise. Surprisingly, the industry comprised of sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores is the fifth fastest-growing industry in the state, followed closely by the management of companies and enterprises and non-store retailers. Specialty trade contractors and professional, scientific, and technical services as well as administrative and support services round out the top 10.

What Are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Florida?

If you would like to learn more about the salaries that come with each occupation you are considering, the BLS might prove to be an invaluable resource. As of May 2018, the annual mean wage across all occupations in Florida was $46,010, which works out to be a mean hourly wage of $22.12. When we look at the data, it's not surprising that medical and dental professionals such as orthodontists, physicians and surgeons, prosthodontists, anesthesiologists, and gynecologists and obstetricians top the list with salaries starting around $200,000. Although every medical occupation requires a bachelor's degree to be accepted into medical school, we wanted to broaden our scope and look at the top 15 high-paying careers in other industries. Although many of these occupations in Florida are managerial, in some cases, you can attain these positions without a master's degree so long as you gain additional training and experience.

• Financial Managers: $132,850

• Architectural and Engineering Managers: $129,850

• Computer and Information Systems Managers: $129,540

• Lawyers: $128,920

• Sales Managers: $125,050

• Personal Financial Advisors: $122,840

• Pharmacists: $119,450

• Marketing Managers: $119,450

• Postsecondary Engineering Teachers: $117,170

• Postsecondary Economics Teachers: $116,920

• Mining and Geological Engineers: $113,200

• Purchasing Managers: $112,840

• General and Operations Managers: $112,600

• Medical and Health Services Managers: $110,750

• Public Relations and Fundraising Managers: $109,570

What Are the Best Schools in Florida for Bachelor's Recipients?

As you are getting ready to earn a bachelor's degree in Florida, it's important to research every aspect of the option available to you. Part of that process involves determining how much you can earn after you graduate. This is why we decided to compile a list of the top five schools we detailed above. We provide salary information regarding early and mid-career earnings as well as the average anticipated salary 20 years after earning a degree, also known as the 20-year net return on investment (ROI), according to PayScale. If you are thinking about attending a bachelor's college in Florida, consider not only the quality and cost of the program but also how the money and time you invest will pay off down the road. We ranked the following five schools in order from the highest to lowest ROI for on-campus degrees earned by in-state students without financial aid.

• 1. University of Florida

  - 20-Year Net ROI: $430,000

  - Early Career Pay: $54,200

  - Mid-Career Pay: $101,400

• 2. Florida International University

  - 20-Year Net ROI: $339,000

  - Early Career Pay: $48,100

  - Mid-Career Pay: $89,900

• 3. University of South Florida

  - 20-Year Net ROI: $319,000

  - Early Career Pay: $48,500

  - Mid-Career Pay: $90,300

• 4. Florida State University

  - 20-Year Net ROI: $314,000

  - Early Career Pay: $49,000

  - Mid-Career Pay: $93,500

• 5. Florida Atlantic University

  - 20-Year Net ROI: $313,000

  - Early Career Pay: $48,300

  - Mid-Career Pay: $89,300

As Florida's oldest college, the University of Florida tops our list in terms of highest ROI and, ultimately, best value. This public college provides a high-quality education at an affordable tuition for in-state students. It's a sports powerhouse to boot, winning more than 30 national championships. Several notable alumni include:

• Faye Dunaway

• Tim Tebow

• Emmitt Smith

• Erin Andrews

• Bob Vila

Earning a degree from a Florida college or university provides hands-on learning opportunities as well as access to some of the best and biggest corporations, research centers, and organizations in the country.

AS Staff

This concludes our ranking of the top 20 most affordable bachelor's degree colleges in Florida.

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