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Florida's community colleges dominate the state's most affordable degree programs, with Miami Dade College leading at just $3,408 per year for in-state students. State College of Florida follows closely at $3,432, while Florida SouthWestern State College rounds out the top three at $3,456 annually. These institutions serve over 165,000 students combined across 116 different majors, from traditional liberal arts to specialized healthcare and technology programs. The affordability stems from Florida's substantial investment in its community college system, which receives $1.2 billion annually in state funding. This network directly supports the state's growing industries, particularly in aerospace, tourism, and healthcare, where employers like Disney, Lockheed Martin, and AdventHealth regularly recruit graduates. Many programs offer direct pathways to four-year universities through articulation agreements, allowing students to complete general education requirements at a fraction of university costs. The state's Bright Futures Scholarship program further reduces expenses for qualifying Florida residents, making these already low tuition rates even more accessible. With campuses strategically placed throughout the state, from the Panhandle to the Keys, these colleges serve both traditional students and working adults seeking career changes or advancement in Florida's competitive job market.

Programs in Florida

Programs by affordability
Program Most Affordable School Net Price
Accounting and Related Services Indian River State College $5,202
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Air Transportation Polk State College $9,027
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions University of Florida $6,351
Anthropology University of Florida-Online $4,702
Applied Mathematics Florida Polytechnic University $9,899
Architecture University of Florida $6,351
Area Studies University of Florida $6,351
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Bible/Biblical Studies Baptist University of Florida $8,829
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Florida International University $9,133
Biological and Physical Sciences New College of Florida $4,536
Biology, General St Petersburg College $-52
Biomedical/Medical Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Business Administration, Management and Operations St Petersburg College $-52
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other San Ignacio University $9,433
Business/Commerce, General University of West Florida $8,155
Business/Managerial Economics University of West Florida $8,155
Chemical Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Chemistry University of Florida $6,351
Civil Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics University of Florida $6,351
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology University of Central Florida $10,650
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions University of West Florida $8,155
Communication and Media Studies Florida State College at Jacksonville $2,760
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services University of Florida-Online $4,702
Computer and Information Sciences, General Seminole State College of Florida $3,119
Computer Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Computer Science University of West Florida $8,155
Computer Software and Media Applications Florida Polytechnic University $9,899
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management St Petersburg College $-52
Construction Engineering Technologies Seminole State College of Florida $3,119
Criminal Justice and Corrections Indian River State College $5,202
Criminology University of Florida-Online $4,702
Dance University of Florida $6,351
Design and Applied Arts Seminole State College of Florida $3,119
Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services University of Florida $6,351
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft University of Florida $6,351
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology University of West Florida $8,155
Economics University of Florida $6,351
Education, General University of Florida-Online $4,702
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering University of Florida $6,351
English Language and Literature, General University of Florida $6,351
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations University of South Florida $10,043
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering University of Florida $6,351
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies University of Florida $6,351
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Miami Dade College $5,929
Finance and Financial Management Services St Petersburg College $-52
Fine and Studio Arts University of Florida $6,351
Fire Protection University of Florida-Online $4,702
Geography and Cartography University of Florida-Online $4,702
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences University of Florida-Online $4,702
Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics University of Florida $6,351
Graphic Communications Gulf Coast State College $2,339
Health and Medical Administrative Services Indian River State College $5,202
Health and Physical Education/Fitness University of Florida-Online $4,702
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General Seminole State College of Florida $3,119
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Palm Beach State College $9,832
History University of Florida $6,351
Homeland Security Florida International University $9,133
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other St Petersburg College $-52
Hospitality Administration/Management Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Human Resources Management and Services Trinity International University-Florida $5,455
Human Services, General Florida State College at Jacksonville $2,760
Industrial Engineering University of South Florida $10,043
Information Science/Studies Eastern Florida State College $5,939
International Business St Petersburg College $-52
International Relations and National Security Studies University of West Florida $8,155
International/Global Studies New College of Florida $4,536
Journalism University of Florida $6,351
Legal Support Services St Petersburg College $-52
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities New College of Florida $4,536
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services New College of Florida $4,536
Management Information Systems and Services Seminole State College of Florida $3,119
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods University of Florida $6,351
Marketing University of Florida $6,351
Mathematics University of Florida $6,351
Mechanical Engineering University of Florida-Online $4,702
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology University of Florida-Online $4,702
Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology Baptist University of Florida $8,829
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other University of Florida-Online $4,702
Music University of Florida $6,351
Natural Resources Conservation and Research New College of Florida $4,536
Natural Resources Management and Policy St Petersburg College $-52
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) University of Central Florida $10,650
Parks, Recreation and Leisure Facilities Management University of Florida $6,351
Philosophy University of Florida $6,351
Physics University of Florida $6,351
Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences University of Florida $6,351
Political Science and Government University of Florida $6,351
Psychology, General University of Florida-Online $4,702
Public Administration St Petersburg College $-52
Public Health St Petersburg College $-52
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication University of Florida-Online $4,702
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication University of Florida-Online $4,702
Real Estate Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing St Petersburg College $-52
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions St Petersburg College $-52
Religion/Religious Studies University of Florida $6,351
Religious Education Trinity International University-Florida $5,455
Religious/Sacred Music Baptist University of Florida $8,829
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies University of South Florida $10,043
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics University of Florida $6,351
Security Science and Technology Florida International University $9,133
Social Sciences, General Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Social Work Florida Atlantic University $8,001
Sociology University of Florida-Online $4,702
Special Education and Teaching St Petersburg College $-52
Statistics University of Florida $6,351
Sustainability Studies University of Florida $6,351
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods St Petersburg College $-52
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas St Petersburg College $-52
Theological and Ministerial Studies Baptist University of Florida $8,829
Visual and Performing Arts, General University of Florida-Online $4,702

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Florida community colleges so affordable compared to universities?

Florida allocates $1.2 billion annually to its community college system, keeping average tuition around $3,400 per year. State funding covers approximately 65% of operational costs, allowing schools to maintain low tuition while offering quality education. This model serves over 800,000 students statewide across 28 institutions.

How many degree programs are available at these affordable Florida colleges?

The most affordable Florida colleges offer 116 different majors spanning associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs. Popular fields include nursing, business administration, criminal justice, and information technology. Many programs align with Florida's key industries like aerospace, hospitality, and healthcare.

Does financial aid further reduce costs at Florida's cheapest colleges?

Yes, Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship covers 75-100% of tuition for eligible students with strong academic records. Federal Pell Grants average $4,500 annually, often exceeding tuition costs at community colleges. About 60% of students receive some form of financial assistance.

Where can students transfer after completing affordable programs in Florida?

Florida's 2+2 articulation agreements guarantee admission to state universities for associate degree graduates. Popular transfer destinations include University of Florida, Florida State University, and University of Central Florida. Over 40,000 students transfer annually from community colleges to four-year institutions.

What job prospects exist for graduates of Florida's affordable college programs?

Florida's unemployment rate of 2.8% creates strong demand for skilled workers. Healthcare programs report 95% job placement rates, while technology graduates find opportunities with companies like Citrix and Tech Data. The state projects 1.2 million new jobs requiring postsecondary education by 2030.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships. See our methodology.