Florida’s economic agenda over the past five years has included a variety of goals in addition to luring visitors to its beaches and sunshine. Florida, the third-largest state in the union, contributes to the US economy’s growth by steadily expanding its own industry.
Although tourism clearly generates the state’s largest revenue, Florida’s economy is also growing due to the steady creation of new businesses across various sectors. Florida has been able to construct an economy that will continue to maintain and spur the formation of new companies because of the state’s massive $1.3 trillion GDP.
You may access many high-paying positions in Florida’s fastest-growing industries with an online MBA. In fact, with exemplary online MBA programs in hospitality, tourism, and other fields, many business schools in Florida assist students in tapping into these competitive sectors.
Advanced degree holders from the top business schools can pursue various positions, including general and operations managers, healthcare administration, accountants and auditors, and project management specialists.
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 Florida.
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.
Ranked as two of the top schools in Florida, the University of Florida and Florida State University both have large student populations, with just over 45,000 for UF and just under 39,000 for FSU. Both are also affordable, with tuition at $6,000 and $7,000, respectively.
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.
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.
Learn more about what you can do with an MBA.
Florida’s thriving tourism, aerospace, and healthcare sectors make it a special place to pursue an online MBA. And with its long history of being a center of commerce and innovation, Florida is undoubtedly an ideal location for MBA students. Numerous prestigious universities and business schools are located throughout the state, with network access to several Fortune 500 companies.
Here are some of the top career positions for online MBA graduates in Florida:
Florida is home to large companies that require general and operations management expertise. General and operational managers oversee various divisions or locations while planning, directing, or coordinating the operations of public or private sector enterprises. These professionals are responsible for managing daily operations, creating company policies, and planning the use of materials and human resources.
Florida Average Annual Salary for General and Operations Managers: $113,350
Job Outlook in Florida (2020-2030): 21%
Although an online MBA is optional for a career in accounting or auditing, it can still offer several benefits. Higher-level roles in accounting firms or corporate finance departments may become available with an online MBA with an accounting or finance specialization. Those who desire to become certified public accountants (CPAs) and subsequently advance into managerial positions may find it beneficial.
Florida Average Annual Salary for Accountants and Auditors: $80,200
Job Outlook in Florida (2020-2030): 23%
These specialists oversee every aspect of a project from start to finish. Among the duties of a project management specialist are developing and maintaining project schedules, controlling project budgets, setting up meetings, detecting risks, guiding decision-making, and hiring personnel.
Florida Average Annual Salary for Project Management Specialists: $95,120
Job Outlook in Florida (2020-2030): 16%
Healthcare is one of the biggest industries in Florida. Administrative Services Managers can find plenty of opportunities in the healthcare sector. An online MBA emphasizing healthcare management can prepare students for management positions in hospitals, healthcare organizations, and other healthcare-related contexts.
These professionals ensure the seamless operation of the healthcare institution. Duties may include managing the clerical staff, maintaining computers and other technology, and updating policy.
Florida Average Annual Salary for Administrative Services Managers: $108,010
Job Outlook in Florida (2020-2030): 19%
Although Florida is known for its retirement communities, wealthy people and financial services companies are also relocating to the state because of its abundant sunlight, beaches, and cheap taxes. And because Florida is a popular vacation spot for wealthy and ultra-wealthy clientele, demand for personal financial advisors is rising.
Florida Average Annual Salary for Personal Financial Advisors: $120,760
Job Outlook in Florida (2020-2030): 18%
Back to TopFlorida’s regions, industries, and the programs the state’s colleges provide can influence the popularity of MBA concentrations in that area. The best way to find the best concentration in a specific city in Florida is to research its biggest landscape.
However, some online MBA concentrations are more prevalent in Florida due to the state’s economic landscape and unique opportunities.
Perhaps, due to its expansion and growing demand, healthcare is among the top online MBA program concentrations in Florida and elsewhere in the United States. Eldercare institutions abound in the state and require wise management and administration.
Pursuing marketing, accounting, and healthcare finance concentrations will help you break into the healthcare industry in Florida.
Another top industry in Florida is tourism. If you want to quickly and competitively enter this industry, consider pursuing a tourism or hospitality concentration.
Other well-liked Florida online MBA program specializations include marketing, supply chain logistics management, financial management, marketing management, sports management, and information systems management, to mention a few.
The following graph depicts the average salaries of similar occupations to Project Management Specialists in Florida.
Source: U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Tuition + fees
$55K
Acceptance
28%
Graduation
84%
Student body
15K
Median SAT/ACT
1335/30
The Miami Herbert Business School is an AACSB-accredited elite business school at the University of Miami ranked highly by other reputable organizations, such as U.S. News & World Report, as one of the Best Graduate Business Programs. The school’s Master of Business Administration program is a convenient online MBA program dedicated to helping students build deep connections within Miami’s thriving ecosystem. Through this online MBA program, MBA students will be able to study the city’s distinctively multicultural and future-focused perspective.
The online MBA curriculum develops student’s critical thinking skills in several essential areas, such as management, economics, marketing, finance, business law, and technology.
In addition to holding an AACSB accreditation, the Miami Herbert Business School also obtained an EQUIS accreditation. Only five business schools in the United States are EQUIS-certified.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
30%
Graduation
91%
Student body
48K
Median SAT/ACT
1375/31
Home to the prestigious Warrington College of Business, the University of Florida is one of the top producers of business professionals worldwide. Warrington’s AACSB-accredited online MBA program offers two completion tracks: One-Year and Two-Year. The two-year option at Warrington College is best for students who need more flexibility because it gives them more time to finish their credits at their own speed. With cohorts of roughly 50 people, MBA students can create a more intimate environment for learning and success.
Distance learners must complete the required Professional Development component in this online MBA. Students can choose between the Global Immersion Experiences and a Career Transformation Weekend. Either way, MBA online students can develop deep connections with industry professionals and business and leadership skills.
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
37%
Graduation
83%
Student body
41K
Median SAT/ACT
1285/29
Prospective MBA students seeking to enroll in an online MBA program that offers various opportunities for concentration can consider Florida State University’s online Master of Business Administration degree program. FSU’s College of Business is AACSB International-accredited, giving applicants the confidence to obtain a high-quality education.
Some of the program’s concentrations are available for part-time enrollment, while others require full-time studies. Students interested in the finance concentration must secure an undergraduate degree in finance, while the other concentration will only require a business degree or a closely related degree.
Concentrations:
Tuition + fees
$7K
Acceptance
64%
Graduation
67%
Student body
49K
Median SAT/ACT
1185/26
Florida International University offers one of the best graduate degrees for students interested in the healthcare sector. The Master of Business Administration at FIU offers a Healthcare specialization acknowledged by the AACSB, CAHME, and AUPHA—signifying its academic excellence and expertise in the field. Graduates will be able to pursue health services administration positions.
The Healthcare online MBA curriculum combines general MBA training with courses focused on healthcare. Each course has a different approach and is taught from the viewpoint of healthcare executives. In addition to completing healthcare and business courses, students must submit a research paper and finish a Health Policy Analysis Report.
Tuition + fees
$51K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
63%
Student body
4K
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a top-performing STEM-designated online MBA program that follows a curriculum focused on developing student’s business acumen. Online students can enroll or participate in on-campus classes and intensives. The program aims to help students translate theory into real-world application while fostering self-assurance and teamwork.
One of the best features of this online MBA is its job placement rate. MBA students at Stetson University have been known to break into large companies, such as Walt Disney and Verizon. Moreover, the Hatter alumni network promotes chances to develop influential, long-lasting relationships that advance one’s career.
Students can also pursue dual degree options, such as MBA+MHA, JD+MBA, and MS+MBA.
Tuition + fees
$43K
Acceptance
66%
Graduation
66%
Student body
5K
Median SAT/ACT
1230/26
Florida Institute of Technology is among the pioneers of distance education with a 100% online learning format capable of providing students with a stimulating, interactive, and adaptable curriculum. One of its popular offerings is the Master of Business Administration online program, which has several concentration areas that allow students to align their studies with their goals and interests. This online MBA program is also top-ranked at other reputable organizations, including Princeton Review and Fortune Education.
This IACBE-accredited Florida online MBA provides students in-depth knowledge about managerial economics, advanced management concepts, financial management, and organizational behavior. In addition to online classes, students must create a business plan that covers case studies and budgeting.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
35%
Graduation
55%
Student body
8K
Median SAT/ACT
1090/22
Florida A&M University is a top HBCU institution with a Carnegie R2 designation. While more distinct in engineering, health sciences, and agriculture, FAMU has a very competitive Master of Business Administration (MBA) offered by the ACBSP-accredited School of Business and Industry. This school of business requires GRE/GMAT scores, which many other schools waive. This means that admissions can be competitive.
Online MBA degree students will have a brief international residency that involves interactions with top-level business people in foreign nations. Thanks to this component and FAMU’s industry connections, the online MBA program achieved an 85% job placement rate for the business professional. This placement rate surpasses the national average job placement rate of 55% for online MBAs.
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
93%
Graduation
61%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
The H. Wayne College of Business at NSU is an AACSB-accredited business school that offers a comprehensive online MBA degree program with 12 concentration options. Regardless of the concentration students pursue, they’ll study Business Statistics, Finance, and Introductory Accounting. The curriculum focuses on developing student’s knowledge of financial management, accounting for decision-makers, and business strategy for digital transformation.
In addition to its academics, NSU is applauded for providing students with various financial aid options, such as the NSU Alumni Tuition Discount.
Concentrations
Tuition + fees
$41K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
50%
Student body
3K
Lynn University’s IACBE-certified Master of Business Administration (MBA) is one of the state’s fastest online MBA programs. While the average completion time of the program is one year, students willing to take on more course load at a time can graduate in 10 months. Lynn is known in the online learning space, with 20 years of experience in online delivery.
With 11 specializations available, students can design a program of study that focuses on topics that most interest them. This will help them position their academics closer to their prospective industry. Graduates will have compelling communication, ethical decision-making, and strategic problem-solving skills that are in demand at businesses in all sectors.
Tuition + fees
$22K
Acceptance
96%
Graduation
67%
Student body
29K
Keiser University’s ACBSP-accredited online Master of Business Administration provides students with a career-focused curriculum emphasizing business and leadership skills. Students will explore various topics in accounting, finance, economics, operations, marketing, international business, research methodologies, and strategy.
Graduates learn to examine data thoroughly and solve business challenges while integrating a broad spectrum of business acumen. Additionally, it provides students the opportunity to acquire particular skills through the concentrations.
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
19%
Student body
8K
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Embry–the ACBSP acknowledges Riddle Aeronautical University. The program’s curriculum allows students to gain knowledge about business practices along with aviation and aerospace courses, which give students the chance to enter the vibrant sector that accounts for the majority of the country’s exports. Graduates will be qualified to work in various industries, including airlines, aviation/aerospace and commercial enterprises, consultancies, and regulatory agencies.
Tuition + fees
$26K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
46%
Student body
9K
Saint Leo University started offering online business and computer degree programs in 1998, making it a pioneer and expert in online learning formats. SLU’s online MBA degree program, accredited by the ACBSP, provides students with a curriculum that advances their finance, marketing, ethics, management, law, and human resources knowledge. Students also develop skills that will help them manage complicated connections and resolve real-world business difficulties.
SLU also aims to help students pay their tuition and fees. SLU offers various scholarship opportunities to online learners.
Tuition + fees
$30K
Acceptance
46%
Graduation
24%
Student body
<1K
Median SAT/ACT
956/17
Webber International University offers an accredited online Master of Business Administration (MBA) on International Business topics. While this MBA program offers online courses, students must complete a one-week to ten-day International Field Trip. This component helps MBA students witness firsthand how other cultures do business.
Another notable MBA concentration available online from WIU is the MBA in Criminal Justice Management, with courses led by current or retired law enforcement officers. Students in this MBA concentration expand their understanding of criminal justice and business administration. This online MBA program allows graduates to enter roles in academia.
Tuition + fees
$33K
Acceptance
71%
Graduation
41%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1005/18
The regionally accredited online Master of Business Administration (MBA) at St. Thomas University is the one of the best online MBA options for students who have not taken the GRE/GMAT. This Florida online MBA program offers a curriculum that combines qualitative and quantitative management skills with other crucial business and free enterprise knowledge. With several concentrations available, students can modify their degrees to meet with their educational and professional needs.
The AACSB-accredited Muma College of Business at USF-Manatee is one of Florida’s best and most competitive business schools. The school offers various online degree programs, including an online Master of Business Administration designed for students and professionals with different backgrounds. Students online are encouraged to visit the campus for experiential and networking opportunities.
The program understands that students have different needs. USF’s online MBA program offers unique concentrations that students can choose from with the help of academic advisors.
Concentrations:
Tuition + fees
$6K
Acceptance
89%
Graduation
56%
Student body
14K
Median SAT/ACT
1135/23
FGCU’s Lutgert College of Business is an AACSB-acknowledge school that offers an online Master of Business Administration program for students seeking a flexible and affordable graduate degree. This online MBA allows students to learn about analytical, technical, and behavioral techniques for addressing 21st-century organizational issues. On top of the core and foundational coursework, students can customize their online MBA degrees by choosing electives.
Moreover, the Florida Gulf Coast University online MBA curriculum integrates technology, entrepreneurial techniques, and global and ethical awareness. These features will help graduates stand out in the competitive, fast-paced business market.
Tuition + fees
$28K
Acceptance
45%
Graduation
51%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1065/21
Prospective graduate students seeking a graduate degree integrating business and technology-related curriculum can consider Southeastern University’s Managing Innovation and Technology MBA. Coursework includes topics in Cybersecurity Policy and Infrastructure and Managing the Software Project Life Cycle.
This online MBA aims to help students understand how technology affects business processes and decision-making. Graduates will be more equipped to make managerial choices as technology changes.
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
60%
Graduation
58%
Student body
2K
Everglades University’s online MBA degree program seeks to equip students with in-depth knowledge of operations and management of business entities. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge (core and foundational courses) with real-world application (capstone project). Students in the online MBA program pick up new skills and put them to use by effectively using technology to access and retrieve information.
Tuition + fees
$20K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
39%
Student body
1K
Median SAT/ACT
1075/22
Students seeking a competitive edge in applying for health services administration positions can highly consider AdventHealth University’s dual MHA/MBA program. This program is offered in partnership with Stetson University. AdventHealth University will offer the MHA courses, while online MBA courses will be from Stetson University.
The best feature of this combined degree program is its support services. Online students will receive academic guidance and support from both universities, doubling their chances for success. Support staff includes tutors, counselors, retention specialists, and more.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Graduation
15%
Student body
<1K
Regionally accredited Hodges University offers a fast-paced Master of Business Administration with 4-week courses. This is one of the best online MBA programs for working professionals as it allows their students to attend class once per week. The curricula aim to equip students with the abilities needed to lead and contribute to developing organizations at the executive level.
The online MBA program of study includes the acquisition of important competencies in planning, decision-making, environmental scanning, financial analysis, marketing, international business, and business research.
Online MBA programs are among the most popular American higher education degrees, thanks to their versatility and flexibility. Several online MBA programs offer specializations that allow MBA students to build leadership skills, expand their network, and enhance their overall business knowledge while focusing on a specific area.
The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer responsive test designed to assess certain analytical, writing, quantitative, verbal, and English reading skills used by graduate management programs, such as MBA programs, to assist with admissions selections.
The GMAT is still required by many graduate schools of all shapes and sizes—elite research universities, public universities, liberal arts colleges, online colleges, etc. There’s no real common denominator for which types of schools require the GMAT, or don’t.
If you are considering a graduate business school that requires the GMAT, then you certainly want to do well on the exam. Even if schools you’re considering don’t require it, you may want to take the test because a high score could still help your application, and because there may be another college that suddenly interests you, and it might require successful completion of the GMAT.
If you’re going to take the test, at minimum you’ll want to study with solid guidance provided by quality resources. People have many different opinions about which GMAT test prep resources are the best, therefore we recommend that you start looking at and comparing the best-selling GMAT test guides.
On the other end of the spectrum, if you are aspiring to be admitted into an elite university’s program, you may want to work with a graduate or business school admissions expert. An admissions consultant can give you the most customized information about your prospects and many will work with you on whatever specific need you might have—test prep, applications, personal essays, and even help with finding meaningful internships.
There is a growing number of high quality MBA programs that don’t require the GMAT. Furthermore, there are a lot of highly reputable colleges and universities offering online MBA programs that do not require the GMAT. If standardized testing simply isn’t a strength of yours, you may want to move your search to focus specifically on online MBA programs with no GMAT requirements.
The average length of time to complete an online MBA is 2 years. General online MBAs can be quicker to complete than specialized online MBAs. Because MBAs offer so many educational paths, program requirements can vary greatly, from 30 to 60 credits, which means this degree may take anywhere between two and four years to complete.
MBA courses, with a required thesis or professional experience component, can be completed online or on campus. Common topics explore corporate law, organizational behavior, and negotiations. Online MBA courses offer asynchronous formats for maximum flexibility, allowing students to watch lectures and read when they can. While online MBA courses can be “self-paced”, there usually are still mid-term and end of term deadlines. Typical online MBA courses will have multiple deadlines throughout the semester for various assignments.
MBA graduates can advance to leadership roles in accounting, finance, human resources, organizational administration, and more. Online MBAs are popular because of their versatility. With so many concentrations to choose from, your online MBA can prepare you for leadership or executive roles in virtually any industry.
Accreditation should never be overlooked. It is a problem that has the potential to make or break your long-term success. Once you’ve narrowed down business schools, you must confirm that the online MBA program is fully accredited.
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is a prominent accrediting body. Your level of knowledge will rank among the top 20% of all business students globally if they give you their seal of approval, which is regarded as the gold standard. If your preferred program is not AACSB-accredited, check to see if it is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education or Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs.
If this is your first time taking an online course, the experience may require some adjustment. While you’ll generally learn the same content and take the same exams as your on-campus peers, the medium will likely require you to manage much of this experience independently. You’ll be accountable for your own time management, your ability to harness the technology at your fingertips, and your ability to focus on the lectures, lessons, and assignments at hand. This means you’ll need to create a suitable workspace for yourself, maintain a realistic schedule, and take it upon yourself to build relationships with your instructors and classmates. With online college, your goal is to find a balance between independence and engagement.
No. The only part of online education that’s easier is actually getting there. Taking the commute out of the equation means getting to class should be a lot more manageable. But that’s where it ends. In general, your online courses will incorporate the very same materials, concepts, and testing methods as would a traditional classroom.
And in many cases, you’ll even have the same instructors as your on-campus counterparts. In fact, if you are adjusting to the experience of independent learning or working with remote learning technology for the first time, online college may even be a little more challenging for you. For a few insights on how to manage this new experience, check out our 10 Tips for Adjusting to School Online.
Accreditation is especially important when it comes to online college. This is because the online education landscape is a mix of highly-reputable institutions and less-than-reputable for-profit schools. Accreditation gives you the power to differentiate between the two. Accreditation is a stamp of approval from an independent accrediting agency which indicates that a college or university is meeting standards of quality, credibility, and currency. School-wide accreditation falls into two major categories: regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditors generally hold jurisdiction only over schools in the states comprising their region, whereas national accreditors hold jurisdiction over schools in all states. Regional accreditation is widely regarded as a more rigorous standard of quality and credibility than national accreditation.
Attending a college or university which is not regionally accredited could limit your opportunities. When seeking an online education, we strongly recommend that students opt for regionally accredited schools. Regional accreditation ensures eligibility for federal loans and grants, ensures your college credits can be transferred between schools, and ensures that your degree credits can be accepted if you wish to earn an advanced degree.
As long as your online college degree is regionally accredited, you should have little difficulty transferring most of your credits or credentials to another regionally accredited undergraduate school. Every school carries its own standards and procedures for granting a transfer. In many cases, you will be required to navigate a bureaucracy in which some of your credits will be transferred and others will be jettisoned. However, provided that you have attended an online school with the proper regional accreditation, you should have plenty of options for transfer.
In most cases, as long you graduate from a well-regarded, regionally-accredited online college, prospective employers won’t look sideways at your degree. In fact, unless you attend an exclusively online college or university, there will likely be no specific indicator on your degree, transcript or resume differentiating your school from its brick-and-mortar counterpart. This means that your employer will likely only differentiate between an online and in-person degree if you mention this distinction.
While some employers may express concern about making the adjustment from online education to in-person workplace collaboration, many other employers will view your online degree as evidence of valuable 21st Century professional skills such as independence, self-motivation, time management, and tech savvy.
If you are a student who thrives on the dynamic energy of in-person discussion, who requires the physical surroundings of a classroom to feel engaged, or who considers the social aspects of education to be of equal importance to the actual content of your courses, online education will require some adjustment.
While there is much that can be supplanted or simulated through the online medium, some students may find that there is nothing which can replace the conversation, collaboration, and motivation that occur in an actual classroom setting. As you make the adjustment to online education, one of the biggest challenges you will likely face is overcoming this difference in order to the get the most out of your classes. Fortunately, we’ve got some great Tips for Online Education Beginners.
The advantages of online classes are many. First and foremost, online courses give you the freedom and flexibility to attend class from anywhere that works for you, whether you’re at home, in a coffee shop, or in a quiet conference room at work. In many cases, you’ll also enjoy the convenience of asynchronous learning opportunities-educational experiences that you can complete on your own schedule. This may include pre-taped lectures, ongoing chat-board discussions, and 24/7 access to digital materials. And of course, just as there are some learners who prefer the energy of a live classroom, there are those who learn best when working in their own personal space, free from distractions. If this sounds like you, you might find the solitude of online learning to be a major advantage.
Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.