The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
What’s Covered:
- The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
College can be super expensive! It makes sense to consider cost as a major factor when making your college decision. If you are interested in attending a school in Florida and are looking for an affordable college education, check out this list of the ten most affordable colleges in Florida.
Note: A private college can sometimes be cheaper than a public school if it offers generous financial aid. That said, the list below is based on sticker price.
The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
1. Florida Atlantic University | FAU
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $2,522/$14,374
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,300
FAU has many claims to fame. For one, it’s ranked among the best in the country for undergraduate research, with more than 6,000 undergraduate research activities. It’s also the most ethically and culturally diverse public university in Florida.
Additionally, FAU’s online programs are considered highly innovative, not to mention flexible. With over 170 degree options across 10 different schools, there is something for everyone to pursue here.
Learn more about Florida Atlantic University and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Florida Gateway College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $3,100/$11,747
Location: Lake City, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,837
Florida Gateway College (FGC) occupies 132 acres of natural pinelands, with over twenty-five buildings landscaped with native azalea bushes and crepe myrtle trees. FGC often ranks among the most beautiful college campuses in Florida.
The school has an open admissions policy for all of its programs. Popular fields of study include:
- Criminal Justice
- Public Safety & Fire Science
- Corrections
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Nursing
- Emergency Medical Technology.
Learn more about Florida Gateway College and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Chipola College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $3,120/$8,950
Location: Marianna, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,820
Chipola College is a public college in Marianna, Florida, and is part of the Florida College System. It is named after the Chipola River, which is located less than a mile from the campus. The school boasts a $16 million, 56,000-square-foot center for the arts, including two theaters.
Chipola is also known for its athletics. Student-athletes compete in six sports—two men’s and four women’s—in the Panhandle Conference of the Florida State College Activities Association.
Learn more about Chipola College and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Florida SouthWestern State College
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $3,401/$12,979
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 13,860
Florida SouthWestern State College is part of the Florida College System. It was originally known as Edison Junior College, and first admitted students in the fall of 1962. The college was named after the inventor and industrialist Thomas Edison, who frequently wintered in Fort Myers.
Popular fields of study at Florida SouthWestern include:
- Healthcare
- Business
- Technology
- Education
Learn more about Florida SouthWestern State College and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,879/$17,324
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 24,614
Florida State College’s main campus is located in downtown Jacksonville, adjacent to the historic Springfield neighborhood. This campus places a strong emphasis on educational outreach, with programs focused on building construction, automotive service, electrical and metal trades, and English as a Second Language. The college also operates North, South, and Kent campuses.
Learn more about Florida State College at Jacksonville and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Florida Polytechnic University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $4,940/$21,005
Location: Lakeland, FL
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 1,569
Florida Polytechnic University is the state’s only public polytechnic university—it focuses solely on STEM education. It resides on a 170-acre campus and is the first university in the U.S. with an all-digital library.
The university’s Innovation, Science, and Technology (IST) Building is among the world’s most breathtaking buildings and features a 3D printing, cybersecurity, and health informatics lab.
Learn more about Florida Polytechnic University and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Florida State University | FSU
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,656/$18,786
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Acceptance Rate: 25%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 32,217
Founded in 1851, FSU has been designated a “preeminent research university” by the Florida Legislature. The university provides a foundation in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, adhering to a liberal arts mission.
More than a quarter of undergraduate students conduct academic research prior to graduation. Meanwhile, FSU’s arts programs, in dance, film, music, and theater, rank among the best in the world.
Learn more about Florida State University and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Florida A&M University | FAMU
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $5,785/$17,725
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Acceptance Rate: 21%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 7,796
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) is a public, historically black, land-grant university in Tallahassee, Florida. Founded in 1887, it is the third-largest HBCU in the United States and the only public historically black university in Florida. Its sports teams are known as the Rattlers and compete in Division I of the NCAA.
Learn more about Florida A&M University and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Florida Gulf Coast University
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,118/$25,162
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,227
Florida Gulf Coast University’s academics are divided into six main colleges:
- U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
- Lutgert College of Business
- Marieb College of Health & Human Services
- College of Education
- College of Arts and Sciences
- Honors College
The prominent schools and departments within the colleges include:
- Bower School of Music & the Arts
- Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI)
- School of Nursing
- School of Resort & Hospitality Management
- School of Entrepreneurship
FGCU’s intercollegiate athletic teams, the Eagles, compete in the ASUN Conference in NCAA Division I sports.
Learn more about Florida Gulf Coast University and what it takes to get accepted.
10. University of North Florida | UNF
Tuition In-state/Out-of-state: $6,389/$20,793
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Acceptance Rate: 62%
Undergraduate Enrollment: 14,264
Located in Jacksonville, UNF is just minutes away from the beach. A nationally ranked university, the school offers small class sizes and prides itself on providing students with real-world experiences and strong job placement. UNF is also host to an active student life, including Division I athletics.
Learn more about the University of North Florida and what it takes to get accepted.
Tips for Saving Money on College
Attend an in-state public school
Public universities offer reduced tuition to resident students who choose to stay in-state for their college education. You will notice that the cost to attend a public university in another state is higher for out-of-state students.
There are many great in-state public school options in Florida, like the University of Florida, Florida State University, and the University of Central Florida, among others. Many of these schools offer excellent academics, unique extracurricular opportunities, and appealing locations, as well as reduced tuition rates for Florida residents.
Commute to school
Living on campus can cost nearly as much as tuition itself. To significantly reduce the cost of earning a degree, many students choose to live at home. This option can also be a better fit for those who plan to work while attending classes.
Spend Less Time in College
Less than half of college students graduate in four years. The more time you spend in college, the more tuition you pay, and the later you’ll start earning money. Have a plan once you start college, and know the relevant classes you need to graduate.
Also consider that accelerated programs, summer sessions, and high school coursework that count for college credit—like AP classes—can also help ensure you minimize your time in college and its expense.
How Much Will You Pay for College?
The sticker price of a college is a poor indicator of what it will cost you to attend. Net price—a calculation that uses factors like financial aid and scholarships—provides a more accurate picture of what you can expect to pay for college. While you can use each individual school’s net price calculator, our free financial aid calculator lets you estimate the cost of hundreds of schools in just minutes.
Another useful tool provided by CollegeVine is our free chancing engine, which predicts your odds of acceptance based on grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and demographics. Use these free tools to improve your profile, improve your odds of acceptance, and plan your college finances!
