The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
What’s Covered:
- Tips for Saving Money on College
- The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
- How Much Will You Pay for College?
College can be really 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 they have generous financial aid, but this list is based on sticker price.
Tips for Saving Money on College
Attend an in-state public school
Public universities offer reduced tuition for 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, 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 almost as much as the cost of tuition. Many students opt to live at home to dramatically lower the price of getting a degree. These arrangements may also be a better fit for working while attending classes.
Spend Less Time in College
Less than half of students in college graduate in four years. The more time you spend in college, the more loans you’ll have to pay and the later you’ll start earning good 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.
The 10 Cheapest Colleges in Florida
1. Florida Gateway College
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $2,369/ $9,473
Location: Lake City, FL
Acceptance Rate: 68%
Undergrad Enrollment: 3,000
FGC occupies 132 acres of natural pinelands, with over twenty-five buildings landscaped with native azalea bushes and crepe myrtle trees. Florida Leader Magazine designated LCCC as the most beautiful college campus in Florida. The school has an open admissions policy for all programs except nursing, golf course operations and allied health programs, and the most popular fields of study are Criminal Justice, Public Safety & Fire Science, Corrections, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Nursing, and Emergency Medical Technology.
Learn more about Florida Gateway College and what it takes to get accepted.
2. Chipola College
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $2,365/ $8,195
Location: Marianna, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergrad Enrollment: 2,000
Chipola College is a public college in Marianna, Florida; 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, yet is also known for its athletics. Athletes compete in the Panhandle Conference of the Florida State College Activities Association.
Learn more about Chipola College and what it takes to get accepted.
3. Florida SouthWestern State College
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $2,436/ $9,750
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Acceptance Rate: 79%
Undergrad Enrollment: 16,500
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. Healthcare, business, technology, and education are especially strong majors at this school.
Learn more about Florida SouthWestern State College and what it takes to get accepted.
4. Florida Atlantic University | FAU
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $2,522/ $14,374
Location: Boca Raton, FL
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Undergrad Enrollment: 24,300
FAU has many claims to fame. For one, it is ranked among the best in the country for undergraduate research, with more than 6,000 undergraduate research activities. It is also the #1 diverse public university in Florida. Additionally, its 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 | FAU and what it takes to get accepted.
5. Florida State College at Jacksonville
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $2,518/ $9,632
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Undergrad Enrollment: 23,400
Florida State College’s main campus is situated in Downtown Jacksonville adjacent to the historic neighborhood of Springfield. The Downtown Campus places particular emphasis on educational outreach; programs of focus include building construction, auto mechanic, electrical and metal trades, and English as a second language. The school also has a North, South, and Kent campus.
Learn more about Florida State College at Jacksonville and what it takes to get accepted.
6. Florida Polytechnic University
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $3,152/ $3,152
Location: Lakeland, FL
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Undergrad Enrollment: 1,300
Florida Polytechnic University is the state’s only public polytechnic university, and focuses solely on STEM education. It resides on a 170-acre campus. The university’s Innovation, Science and Technology (IST) Building has a 3-D printing lab, cyber gaming and media lab, cyber security lab, robotics lab, and a big data lab. Florida Poly is the first university whose campus library is completely digital.
Learn more about Florida Polytechnic University and what it takes to get accepted.
7. Florida A&M University | FAMU
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $3,152/ $14,524
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Undergrad Enrollment: 8,100
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 historically black university 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 | FAMU and what it takes to get accepted.
8. Florida State University | FSU
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $4,022/ $16,540
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Acceptance Rate: 32%
Undergrad Enrollment: 32,400
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 | FSU and what it takes to get accepted.
9. Florida Gulf Coast University
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $4,191/ $22,328
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Undergrad Enrollment: 13,800
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, and Honors College. The prominent schools and departments within the colleges include; Bower School of Music & the Arts, The Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI), School of Nursing, School of Resort & Hospitality Management, and 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 West Florida | UWF
Total Cost In-state/Out-of-state: $4,319/ $16,587
Location: Pensacola, FL
Acceptance Rate: 58%
Undergrad Enrollment: 9,700
The university’s mascot is Argie the Argonaut and its logo is the chambered nautilus, which is “a symbol of growth, change and accomplishment.” The school boasts plenty of extracurriculars including academic clubs, Greek organizations, professional and honor societies, religious organizations and special interest groups. UWF owns property on Pensacola Beach, frequently used by students for research and recreation and also offers numerous on-campus mountain bike trails to students free of charge.
Learn more about University of West Florida | UWF and what it takes to get accepted.
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 chance 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!
