collageDiscover the ideal Florida college for your budget, lifestyle, and career goals. CollegeStats helps you compare Florida colleges offering a variety of online and on-campus degree programs.
Which Florida Colleges are the Cheapest?
Residents in Florida can save a lot of money if they plan on pursuing higher education within the state. Why spend more than you have to on tuition for quality education? Saving money on tuition allows students to afford other essentials like food, room and board, transportation, school supplies, and utility bills, for example. Being frugal during college years will also reduce or eliminate the chances of unwanted college debt. To help ease your college search, we have created a list of colleges in Florida with the lowest in-state tuition costs. Have a glance below to see which college best fits your budget.
| Rank | School Name | City | State | Net Cost | School Level | Retention Rate | In-State Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broward College | Fort Lauderdale | FL | $9,417 | 4 year | N/A | $1,810 |
| 2 | Santa Fe College | Gainesville | FL | $8,354 | 4 year | N/A | $1,872 |
| 3 | Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa | FL | $5,800 | 4 year | N/A | $1,892 |
| 4 | College of Central Florida | Ocala | FL | $9,463 | 4 year | N/A | $1,910 |
| 5 | Hillsborough Community College | Tampa | FL | $4,940 | 2 year | 60.8% | $1,931 |
| 6 | Valencia College | Orlando | FL | $5,872 | 4 year | N/A | $1,984 |
| 7 | Tallahassee Community College | Tallahassee | FL | $4,512 | 2 year | 60.1% | $2,002 |
| 8 | Gulf Coast State College | Panama City | FL | $4,577 | 4 year | N/A | $2,042 |
| 9 | Pensacola State College | Pensacola | FL | $7,568 | 4 year | N/A | $2,051 |
| 10 | North Florida Community College | Madison | FL | $4,389 | 2 year | 69.05% | $2,280 |
| 11 | Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey | FL | $5,868 | 4 year | N/A | $2,297 |
| 12 | Northwest Florida State College | Niceville | FL | $8,746 | 4 year | N/A | $2,313 |
| 13 | Palm Beach State College | Lake Worth | FL | $2,467 | 4 year | N/A | $2,358 |
| 14 | Seminole State College of Florida | Sanford | FL | $8,307 | 4 year | N/A | $2,365 |
| 15 | Chipola College | Marianna | FL | $4,418 | 4 year | N/A | $2,365 |
| 16 | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Bradenton | FL | $10,102 | 4 year | N/A | $2,365 |
| 17 | Florida Gateway College | Lake City | FL | $4,677 | 4 year | N/A | $2,369 |
| 18 | InterAmerican Technical Institute | Miami | FL | N/A | Vocational | N/A | $2,400 |
| 19 | St Petersburg College | Clearwater | FL | $7,499 | 4 year | N/A | $2,428 |
| 20 | Florida SouthWestern State College | Fort Myers | FL | $8,420 | 4 year | N/A | $2,436 |
| 21 | Florida State College at Jacksonville | Jacksonville | FL | $7,173 | 4 year | N/A | $2,470 |
| 22 | Florida Keys Community College | Key West | FL | $12,977 | 2 year | 54.55% | $2,483 |
| 23 | Polk State College | Winter Haven | FL | $9,187 | 4 year | N/A | $2,483 |
| 24 | Miami Dade College | Miami | FL | $8,606 | 4 year | N/A | $2,483 |
| 25 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce | FL | $1,807 | 4 year | N/A | $2,496 |
15 Cheapest Community Colleges in Florida
While community colleges are typically cheaper than four-year universities, the following list of community colleges in Florida consists of some of the top catalysts for saving money while obtaining your college degree. To explore some of the differences between community colleges and four-year institutions, check out our article 2-Year Versus 4-Year Colleges.
Methodology
Ranking community colleges is different from traditional four-year colleges and universities because of the demographics of attending students. Many people who attend community colleges do so close to their homes, while holding down one or more jobs, or they only attend school on nights and weekends. While some community colleges offer housing opportunities, most students do not require these facilities and the costs associated with housing does not make sense to include in the overall price. Community colleges also tend to charge students by the credit hour instead of by the semester or the school year. In light of this fact, the Florida community colleges are ranked by a simple “per credit hour” system—the cheapest being No. 1 and so on. The information was gathered directly from the website of each school and reflects the most up-to-date information available.
- Daytona State College in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Top 10 Online Colleges in Florida: Jacksonville, Florida
Cost Per Credit Hour: $104.48
Located in Daytona Beach, Daytona State College offers students the opportunity to earn various Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees. They also offer six bachelor’s degree programs: BS degrees in engineering technology, business management, nursing or information technology; Bachelor of Education; and Bachelor of Applied Science. The college has approximately 30,000 students and is home to the Southeast Museum of Photography. The sports teams have won eight NJCAA Team Championship titles. Daytona State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $104.39
With six campuses spread between Brandon, Dale Mabry, Plant City, Ybor City, Ruskin and MacDill Air Force Base, Hillsborough Community College is one of the largest community colleges in Florida with approximately 43,000 students. The college offers more than 160 academic programs, including 18 Associate of Arts tracks and over 150 workforce programs. By virtue of the large student population and diverse academic offerings, Hillsborough Community College is among the top producers of associate degrees in the United States. The community college has a residence hall, making it one of the few community colleges to offer students an on-campus housing option. Hillsborough Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Seminole State College of Florida in Sanford, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $104.38
Located in Sanford and with satellite campuses in Oviedo, Altamonte Springs and Heathrow, Seminole State College of Florida serves approximately 33,000 students and offers students more than 200 degrees, certificates and programs. Four Bachelor of Science degrees are offered: information systems technology, engineering technology, construction and business and information management, as well as one Bachelor of Applied Science degree: interior design.
Seminole State College of Florida offers a program to all students seeking an associate degree called “DirectConnect to UCF”. This free program guarantees Seminole State graduates admission and a smooth transition to the University of Central Florida, located in Orlando. The college opened a $10.1 million Automotive Training Center at the Sanford campus in 2007. Seminole State College of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Northwest Florida State College in Niceville, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $104.12
Located in Niceville and with joint campuses in DeFuniak Springs and Crestview, Northwest Florida State College has approximately 15,000 students. The college offers seven bachelor’s degrees in the fields of business, teaching and nursing in addition to the associate degrees normally granted by community colleges. The college offers state-of-the-art computer labs and has a criminal justice training center. A centerpiece facility at the Niceville campus is a 120,000 square foot Mattie Kelly Fine and Performing Arts Center that hosts touring Broadway shows, visiting artists, dance and opera companies.
Northwest Florida State College also has a charter school called Collegiate High School that enables 10th-grade through 12th-grade students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and transferrable college credit. Northwest Florida State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Eastern Florida State College in Cocoa, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $104.00
With campuses in Cocoa, Melbourne, Palm Bay and Titusville, Eastern Florida State College offers more than 100 associate degrees and programs and has more than 30,000 students. The school recently began offering nine Bachelor of Applied Science degrees under the categories applied health science, computer information systems technology and organizational management.
Average class size is approximately 20 students per class. The college offers an aerospace program at the Kennedy Space Center and has an online Virtual Campus. Eastern Florida State College offers a program to all students seeking an associate degree called “DirectConnect to FIT”. This free program guarantees graduates admission and a smooth transition to Florida Institute of Technology, located in Melbourne. Eastern Florida State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $103.83
Located in Fort Pierce and with satellite sites in Okeechobee, Port St. Lucie, Stuart and Vero Beach, Indian River State College is a widely-acclaimed community college. In 2014, it was named as one of the ten best community colleges in the US by the Aspen Institute. U.S. News & World Report ranked it in the top nine of public regional colleges in the South. For the 2014-2015 school year, the U.S. Department of Education ranked it as the 4th most affordable College in the country.
Indian River State College offers students over 150 programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees and various certificates. Indian River State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Florida Gateway College in Lake City, Fla.
Top 10 Online Colleges in Florida: Jacksonville, Florida
Cost Per Credit Hour: $103.32
Located in Lake City and with satellite facilities in Bell, Cross City and Olustee, Florida Gateway College has a total student body of about 7,000 students. Despite its smaller size, the college still offers both associate degree and bachelor’s degree programs. The college offers students two advanced degrees: Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education. Florida Gateway College offers a one-year Cosmetology program that prepares students to pass the state of Florida examination to become a licensed cosmetologist. Florida Gateway College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. - Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $103.18
Located in New Port Richey and with satellite locations in Brooksville, Dade City, Spring Hill and Wesley Chapel, Pasco-Hernando State College offers students both associate and bachelor’s degree options. Enrollment stands at 15,000 students. The college utilizes high-tech educational facilities and state-of-the-art programs to enhance the prospects of student success. The Rao Musunuru, M.D. Art Gallery, located on campus, is a constantly-evolving, 1,000 square-foot space dedicated to various forms of art. Pasco-Hernando State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Valencia College in Orlando, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $103.06
Located in Orlando and with satellite campuses in Kissimmee and Winter Park, Valencia College enrollment stands at a whopping 60,000 students. This qualifies it as the third-largest member institution of the Florida College System. Despite the size, the average class size at Valencia College remains 23 students. The school was named the top community college in the US in 2011 by the Aspen Institute, a title based in part on student learning, degree completion and earnings after college.
Valencia College offers a program to all students seeking an associate degree called “DirectConnect to UCF”. This free program guarantees Valencia graduates admission and a smooth transition to the University of Central Florida, also located in Orlando. Valencia College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota in Bradenton, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $102.48
Located in Bradenton and with satellite campuses in Lakewood Ranch and Venice, State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota offers students both associate and bachelor degree opportunities. With current enrollment of more than 30,000 students, the school is among the top 100 producers of associate degrees in the United States.
The campus is home to the Family Heritage Museum, a center dedicated to the study of African-American achievements. The college theater does a total of six productions per year and is a major draw for the school. State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Chipola College in Marianna, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $102.00
Located in Marianna, Chipola College is nestled on 105 acres near the Chipola River. This primarily-agricultural area is in the Florida panhandle and borders the Georgia and Alabama state lines. The school has just over 2,000 students and offers multiple Associate in Science and Associate in Arts degree paths. Chipola College began offering several bachelor’s degree programs in 2003.
From a culture perspective, the college recently opened a massive Center for the Arts that includes two theaters. Academics have been well-represented in competition as the “Brain Bowl” team has won multiple state and national championships. Chipola College is specifically noted for its athletics program, though, as multiple graduates now practice their sports at the highest professional levels. Chipola College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $100.83
Located in suburban Tallahassee, Tallahassee Community College offers over 80 associate degrees and certificate programs. In an effort to encourage student success, this college offers self-paced instruction, online classes and traditional day and evening courses. With nearly 20,000 students, Tallahassee Community College is regularly recognized in Community College Week’s Top 100 colleges for number of associate degrees awarded, and the college achieved the No. 1 ranking in 2013. This school is also the top transfer school in the nation to Florida State University as admission is guaranteed with a Tallahassee Community College associate degree. Tallahassee Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- North Florida Community College in Madison, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $99.80
Located in Madison, North Florida Community College(http://www.nfcc.edu/) has nearly 1,300 students and maintains a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio. The college offers Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees with various emphases. The school boasts a 20-acre nature center with marked trails, observation points and picnic sites. There is also a public art collection featuring sculptures, murals and other artwork across the campus. North Florida Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $98.75
Located in Panama City and with satellite campuses in Southport and Port St. Joe, Gulf Coast State College offers 75 Associate in Arts degree tracks, 13 Associate in Science degree tracks and four Bachelor of Applied Science degrees. This school offers both traditional classes and online courses with convenient times and in multiple locations. Gulf Coast State College is recognized as one of the top-tier military-friendly colleges in the country. Gulf Coast State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
- Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth, Fla.
Cost Per Credit Hour: $98.25
Located in Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College enrolls nearly 49,000 students in over 100 different programs. Traditionally a junior college that offered only associate degrees, Palm Beach State College now offers three bachelor’s degrees in addition to its traditional associate degrees. The school’s truck technology program has been ranked the best in the United States in 2015 by mechanics-school.com. Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Best Colleges in Florida
Top 10 Best Colleges in Florida
| RANK | SCHOOL | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL |
| 2 | University of Florida | Gainesville, FL |
| 3 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Daytona Beach, FL |
| 4 | Stetson University | DeLand, FL |
| 5 | Rollins College | Winter Park, FL |
| 6 | Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL |
| 7 | Florida Southern College | Lakeland, FL |
| 8 | Florida State University | Tallahassee, FL |
| 9 | Jacksonville University | Jacksonville, FL |
| 10 | University of South Florida | Tampa, FL |
collage