The progression of online education in Florida can be traced back to 1996, when the Florida Community College Distance Learning Consortium and the Institute for Postsecondary Distance Learning were founded. Eventually, the Institute's resources were allocated to create the Florida Virtual Campus (FVC) in 1999, which provided online education services to students at 28 public colleges and 12 universities. This state's online education infrastructure also supports K-12 students through several services provided by the Florida Department of Education. The centralized learning system at FVC gives students access to electronic journal and eBook library databases, online courses and virtual student services. According to a report compiled by the Florida College System, enrollment in postsecondary online courses increased by 128.8% within five years, demonstrating a high level of demand and fulfillment in Florida's online academic environment.
While online college course enrollment figures are booming in Florida, it seems that the state has cut revenues for institutions of higher education. The College Board reveals state appropriates changed by -17.5% during the period between 2006 and 2011. Unfortunately, this means that students likely have to bear the weight of college through increased tuition rates, which have spiked by 69.7% within the same five years.
Want to learn more about the top online schools in Florida? Take a look through our comprehensive database of distance learning programs offered by colleges and universities in this state. You can also see how Florida's higher education compares to the rest of the country by checking out the state facts section.
Featured Online Programs
142 Colleges in Florida
Everest University-Lakeland
Lakeland, FL · Tuition & fees: $14,940
Southeastern University
Lakeland, FL · Tuition & fees: $22,202
Additional Resources
Official State Links
- Florida Department of Education
- Florida Commission for Independent Education
- Florida Education Association
College Savings
- Florida 529 College Savings Plan: This plan is administered by the private foundation and is fully eligible for available tax benefits for federal income tax purposes. The plan allows for users to set their own saving goals and contribution levels. The plan currently allows participants to choose from 11 different investment options.
- Florida Prepaid College Plan: Administered by the Florida Prepaid College Board this prepaid program enables individuals and families to pre-pay for tuition with a single lump sum, monthly payments or installments over a 5 year period. Earnings from the plan are tax free when they are used to pay for qualified education expenses.
Education Nonprofits
- Southern Regional Education Board: The nonprofit board represents 16 states and is a public-private partnership focused on improving public education. The board works to develop programs and pass legislation that improves college readiness. The program's primary goal is to increase the percentage of students who are college or career ready.
- Florida College Access Network: This not-for-profit organization works in two ways: first, to develop and support legislative initiatives that improve and expand higher education opportunities and, second, to develop and support programs that assist students. A significant goal of the organization is to increase the percentage of Floridians between 25 and 64 with a college degree to 60 percent by 2025.
Higher Education News
- Sun Sentinel Higher Education News: As one of Florida's leading newspapers, the Sun Sentinel offers regular in depth coverage of a wide range of higher education news and commentary.
- Florida Higher Education Spectator: A blog and email news service that provides Floridians with a regular supply of news, reviews, commentary and information of interest to the state's higher education community.
- State University System Board of Governors News: The state university system maintains this blog with the goal of keeping interested parties apprised of important news and other information about the state university system.