Florida’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

Florida’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

What are the best colleges and universities in California if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.

Colleges and universities in Florida deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.

The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.

Florida’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.

Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.

How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Florida’s Colleges and Universities

Florida's Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
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As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Florida’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call  Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.

  1. Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
  2. Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
    • We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
  3. Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.

Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.

Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families

The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:

  • A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
  • Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
  • Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
  • The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
  • Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
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Florida’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship

  1. #2

    Ave Maria University

    Ave Maria , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $25K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1129/24

    Career Outlook for degree at Ave Maria University

    Cost of Degree: $26,354
    Expenses: $17,567
    Starting Salary: $33,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Ave Maria University known for?

    Ave Maria University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  2. #3

    Eckerd College

    Saint Petersburg , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $48K

    Acceptance

    70%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at Eckerd College

    Cost of Degree: $48,900
    Expenses: $18,304
    Starting Salary: $46,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #4

    Rollins College

    Winter Park , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Rollins College

    Cost of Degree: $56,110
    Expenses: $19,200
    Starting Salary: $53,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 20 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Tuition + fees

    $39K

    Acceptance

    61%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Florida Southern College

    Cost of Degree: $40,500
    Expenses: $16,700
    Starting Salary: $44,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Florida Southern College known for?

    Florida Southern College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. #6

    Jacksonville University

    Jacksonville , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    48%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Jacksonville University

    Cost of Degree: $43,520
    Expenses: $19,312
    Starting Salary: $57,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Jacksonville University’s Online Degrees

    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  6. #9

    Barry University

    Miami , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $32K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    41%

    Student body

    9K

    Career Outlook for degree at Barry University

    Cost of Degree: $32,500
    Expenses: $18,058
    Starting Salary: $50,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Barry University known for?

    Barry University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Barry University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    53%

    Graduation

    52%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1145/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of West Florida

    Cost of Degree: $5,776
    Expenses: $15,168
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of West Florida known for?

    University of West Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of West Florida’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in General Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Exceptional Student
    • Required Credits: 132
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Instructional Design And Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences Community Education Specialization
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Maritime Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Sciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Healthcare Administration
    • Public Health
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 124
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  8. #12

    University of North Florida

    Jacksonville , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Career Outlook for degree at University of North Florida

    Cost of Degree: $5,964
    Expenses: $16,107
    Starting Salary: $49,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of North Florida known for?

    University of North Florida’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  9. #13

    Saint Leo University

    Saint Leo , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $26K

    Acceptance

    71%

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    16K

    Career Outlook for degree at Saint Leo University

    Cost of Degree: $27,050
    Expenses: $19,552
    Starting Salary: $50,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Saint Leo University known for?

    Saint Leo University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Saint Leo University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Logistics
    • Management
    • Marketing
    • Project Management
    • Technology Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Information Systems
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science Information Assurance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminalistics
    • Homeland Security
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Emergency Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Educational Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Early Childhood Development
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Elementary Education Grades K-6
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religion
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Applied
    • Clinical
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Care Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Clinical Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  10. #14

    University of Miami

    Coral Gables , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $55K

    Acceptance

    28%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1335/30

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Miami

    Cost of Degree: $57,194
    Expenses: $21,826
    Starting Salary: $72,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #15

    Florida State University

    Tallahassee , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    37%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    49K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1285/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Florida State University

    Cost of Degree: $6,517
    Expenses: $18,124
    Starting Salary: $53,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Florida State University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminology
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Safety and Security
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    56%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Florida Gulf Coast University

    Cost of Degree: $6,118
    Expenses: $14,372
    Starting Salary: $45,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Florida Gulf Coast University known for?

    Florida Gulf Coast University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Florida Gulf Coast University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Criminal Justice
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion With Associates From Florida Public College
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Legal Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion With Associates From Florida Public College
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Science
    Degree Concentrations
    • Degree Completion With Associates From Florida Public College
    • Required Credits: 48
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  13. #17

    University of Tampa

    Tampa , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    54%

    Graduation

    62%

    Student body

    11K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Tampa

    Cost of Degree: $32,218
    Expenses: $17,790
    Starting Salary: $55,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #18

    Florida Atlantic University

    Boca Raton , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Florida Atlantic University

    Cost of Degree: $4,879
    Expenses: $19,974
    Starting Salary: $48,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Florida Atlantic University’s Online Degrees

    BBA in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Hospitality And Tourism Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Leadership And Applied Managerial Skills
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Bachelor Of Public Safety Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 32
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Geosciences
    Degree Concentrations
    • Geography
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: None Reported
  15. #19

    University of Florida

    Gainesville , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    30%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    61K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1375/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,381
    Expenses: $15,430
    Starting Salary: $65,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 8 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #20

    Nova Southeastern University

    Fort Lauderdale , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    93%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1135/23

    Career Outlook for degree at Nova Southeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $36,300
    Expenses: $20,570
    Starting Salary: $55,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Nova Southeastern University known for?

    Nova Southeastern University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Nova Southeastern University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Human Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education ESOL/Reading
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Exceptional Student Education ESOL
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BHSc in Health Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSR in Respiratory Therapy Post-Professional Program
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  17. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    49%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    60K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1240/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of South Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,410
    Expenses: $18,242
    Starting Salary: $48,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. #22

    St. Petersburg College

    St. Petersburg , FL
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $3K

    Graduation

    36%

    Student body

    36K

    Career Outlook for degree at St. Petersburg College

    Cost of Degree: $2,682
    Starting Salary: $36,700
    What is St. Petersburg College known for?

    St. Petersburg College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    St. Petersburg College’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Financial Services
    • International Business
    • Marketing
    • Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Management And Organizational Leadership
    Degree Concentrations
    • Management And Organizational Leadership General
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Project Management
    • Sustainability And Green Management
    • Sports Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Cybersecurity
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Technology Development And Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Data Science
    • Cybersecurity Management
    • Software Development
    • Project Management
    • Software Assurance
    • Cyber Security Defense And Risk Mitigation
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Public Safety Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Criminal Justice
    • Fire Science
    • Emergency Management And Homeland Security
    • Cross Discipline
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Educational Studies And Community Leadership
    Degree Concentrations
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Educational Interpreting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Educational Studies And Community Leadership Degree With Preschool Specialization
    Degree Concentrations
    • Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Early Childhood Education
    • Educational Interpreting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Elementary Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Policy And Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Dental Hygiene
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Health Services Administration
    Degree Concentrations
    • Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    • Compliance And Security
    • Management
    • Human Services
    • Public Relations And Marketing
    • Respiratory Care
    • Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist
    • Compliance And Security
    • Management
    • Human Services
    • Public Relations And Marketing
    • Respiratory Care
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 121
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Veterinary Technology
    Degree Concentrations
    • Clinical
    • Hospital Management
    • Combined Clinical And Hospital Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    75K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Florida International University

    Cost of Degree: $6,565
    Expenses: $18,316
    Starting Salary: $52,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Florida International University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Theatre
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BFA in Theatre
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Beverage Management
    • Culinary Management
    • Event Management
    • Hotel/Lodging Management
    • Restaurant/Food Service Management
    • Travel And Tourism Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Human Resource Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in International Business
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Logistics And Supply Chain Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Relations Advertising And Applied Communications
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Real Estate
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Recreation And Sport Management
    Degree Concentrations
    • Parks Management
    • Recreation And Sport Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 39
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Internet Of Things
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Crime Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Early Childhood Education Bs
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Asian Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in International Relations
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies Ba
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Organizational Communication Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BPA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religious Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Welfare
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Women's And Gender Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BHSA in Health Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Electrical Engineering
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Statistics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  20. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    84K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1250/27

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Central Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,368
    Expenses: $17,668
    Starting Salary: $51,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 10 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Central Florida’s Online Degrees

    BS in Hospitality Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Restaurant and Foodservice Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Senior Living Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Legal Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Technical Education And Industry Training
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communication And Conflict
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Diversity Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English
    Degree Concentrations
    • Creative Writing
    • Literature
    • Technical Communication
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BGS in Integrative General Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BAS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in International And Global Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Latin American Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Religion And Cultural Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Social Sciences
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Informatics And Information Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Health Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  21. #25

    Valencia College

    Orlando , FL

    Tuition + fees

    $2K

    Graduation

    46%

    Student body

    63K

    Career Outlook for degree at Valencia College

    Cost of Degree: $2,474
    Starting Salary: $37,000
    What is Valencia College known for?

    Valencia College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Florida’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest

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Colleges and Universities in Florida

The state of Florida offers a wealth of options for students seeking both traditional and online degree programs. With more than 40 public and 50 private schools, prospective students can earn their associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from an extremely wide variety of brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Florida.

Colleges in Florida are also uniquely affordable, with the state average tuition of $6,360 falling well under the national average. Among the most popular disciplines in Florida are anthropology, nursing, law, religious studies, and earth sciences. Many of these valuable degrees are available through online courses and fully online degree programs.

Indeed, nearly 40 colleges and universities in Florida offer online degrees. These online degree programs offer flexibility, convenience and accessibility. Make sure to choose an online degree program with accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Among the largest colleges in Florida is Miami Dade College. This public college is home to over 165,000 students across eight campuses and 21 outreach centers as well as various excellent online degree programs. Miami Dade College also offers an extremely affordable in-state tuition of $3,000.

Students seeking a religious school can choose from 21 colleges and universities that are grounded in Judeo-Christian, Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist, and Christian principles. Ranked as the top two schools, the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) both have large student populations, with just over 45,000 at UF and just under 39,000 as FSU. Both are also affordable, with tuition at $6,000 and $7,000, respectively.

At $50,000, the University of Miami is the most expensive private college in the state and has graduated influential people such as Gene Roddenberry, Sylvester Stallone, and Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Florida also offers its nursing students up to $4,000 in financial aid through their Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program.

Coastal cities, sandy beaches, orange groves, and vibrant flowers - it’s no wonder Florida is called The Sunshine State. Home to the famous Everglades National Park and Disney World, Florida also boasts 90 higher education institutes.

With so many options for both traditional and online colleges in Florida, this state has a lot to offer higher education students. Check out Florida’s best degree programs and top career paths.


What are Florida’s Colleges & Universities?

Florida’s Best Overall

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