Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL

degrees in miami

There is a growing number of students who are interested in applying to the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL. As a city that is known for having a high professional population, the expanding list of online programs is seen as a necessary step forward in higher education in the city. But there are so many schools with online programs that can make it difficult for students to choose the best school for them.

Online degrees come with a variety of options, ranging from affordability and acceleration features to support services and degree choices. Finding a program that fits all of a student’s needs can be difficult, especially if a student doesn’t have all the right information in hand. This ranking provides students not just information on tuition and class sizes but also provides an overview of the school’s online branch as well, ensuring that students can make the right choice for them.

Methodology

A great deal of research has gone into this ranking. The starting point was searching for top colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL, which was done with the help of the National Center for Education Statistics and its publicly available College Navigator database. Once the initial list of schools was compiled, each school was individually reviewed by research the school’s website. This is a points-based ranking, meaning that schools were assigned a point ranking based on several factors, including:

Types of online degree options available (associate, bachelor, master’s, doctorate): 1 point per degree level.

Cost per credit hour:
Under $250 – 4 points
$251 – $350 – 3 points
$351 – $450 – 2 points
Over $451 per credit hour – 1 point

Regional Accreditation:
Present – 1 point

Student to faculty ratio:
10:1 or less – 3 points
11:1 to 15:1 – 2 points
Greater than 15:1 – 1 point

The top 10 schools, all of which are located in a 50-mile radius of Miami, were chosen based on the total points accrued. They are listed below in descending order.

10. The University of Miami

Miami, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
The University of Miami offers master’s and doctorate degrees online.

Website

Some of the best online master’s programs come from the University of Miami. This school confers eight master’s degrees and a select group of doctorate degrees in a wide field of interests, including health informatics, finance, accounting, and business administration. All courses at this school are taught by the same faculty that teaches on-campus, ensuring that students are getting the quality education that the school is known for. Along with flexible programs and multiple start dates, this virtual branch has support services, including tutoring, online office hours, a bookstore, and a library.

Types of Degrees Available:
Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour:
Student to Faculty Ratio:
Accreditation:
Total Points: 6

9. Barry University

Miami Shores, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FLTop 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Barry University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees online.

Website

Barry University has long had the distinction of being one of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL. Students at this school are offered the chance to complete bachelor’s and master’s degrees online, all of which have incredible academic support and a faculty committed to ensuring students get a quality education. Fields available online include education, health services administration, and business; it is also possible for students to earn dual degrees with the college’s approval. Students will have access to small class sizes, and a faculty that is trained in online education, academic advising, and an online bookstore and library.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $1,238
Student to Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6

8. Everglades University

Miami, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Everglades University offers 10 online degrees.

Website

Students interested in completing one of the best online bachelor’s programs in the state should look to Everglades University. This school offers the latest in online education technology, including smartphone and tablet applications for its students. There are 10 undergraduate and graduate programs currently available, with more planned for the future. Fields include international business, management, and aviation science. Students will also benefit from the school’s commitment to online education; faculty and staffed are trained to dispense online education. With 24/7 technical support, academic advising and access to the school’s online library and bookstore, students are set up for success at Everglades University.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $700
Student to Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6

7. Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Nova Southeastern University offers online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

Website

Nova Southeastern University is one of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL, for students interested in completing an entirely online program. Students have access to a full-time staff through the online portal, where everything from academic advising to financial aid is handled. All courses are taught by qualified faculty, including those that teach on-campus. With degrees available at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels, students can earn a degree in everything from nursing to business to education. Support services include technical support, electronic databases, and more.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $623
Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6

6. Florida National University

Miami, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FLTop 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Florida National University offers over 20 online degrees.

Website

Some of the best online programs available in Miami, FL, come from Florida National University. Students at this school can complete undergraduate and graduate courses; professionals will find that the most popular programs come from the school’s graduate list. There are over 20 degree and certificate programs available, including degrees in criminal justice, finance, marketing, and business administration. Students will benefit from low tuition rates, access to financial aid resources, an online bookstore, an online library and tutoring services. Support services, such as technical support and office hours, are also available.

Types of Degrees Available:
Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $550
Student to Faculty Ratio: 33:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 6

5. Lynn University

Boca Raton, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Lynn University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees online.

Lynn University is one of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL. Students at this school can complete undergraduate and graduate degrees online. A look through the programs available showcase that the most popular programs are in communication, business, and communication. Students can also earn certificates in everything from sports management to recurrent flight training, two fields that may be difficult to find at other schools. All online programs are supported by a faculty dedicated to online education; services include technical support, academic advising, online access to the bookstore and library, and web conferencing technology.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $300
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 7

4. St. Thomas University

Miami Gardens, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
The St. Thomas University online programs does not have a residency requirement.

Website

The online programs available from St. Thomas University include the most popular fields in demand from students in the Miami, FL, area. These include bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees in business, education, and nursing. Students who are registered nurses will find a bridge program that may fit their need. These programs are all available 100 percent online; there are no residency requirements. Students will have access to small class sizes, dedicated online office hours, the online library, and the online bookstores. The online portal is also supported by technical support and a dedicated team of faculty and staff who have made it their mission to provide incredible online education.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $444
Student to Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 8

3. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Florida Atlantic University offers undergraduate and graduate online programs.

Website

Florida Atlantic University holds the distinction of being one of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL. This school has made it their mission to offer students the option to earn an online degree that is supported by one of the best schools in the state. This school offers undergraduate and graduate programs along with certificates, most of which are 100 percent online with no residency requirements. These programs were designed to work with a busy student’s schedule; options include different study options such as full-time or part-time study, asynchronous learning, and access to the virtual portal on smartphones and tablets. Students will find that this school cares about their online students; all students are supported by technical support, academic advising, and access to the school’s online bookstore and library.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Cost per credit hour: $201
Student to Faculty Ratio: 24:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 8

2. Miami Dade College

Miami, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Miami Dade College offers associate and bachelor’s online programs.

Website

Students interested in a stellar online undergraduate program need look no further than Miami Dade College. Students will be able to choose an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields, including public safety management, information systems technology, marketing, and criminal justice. All courses are available asynchronously through the school’s virtual portal and can be completed mostly online, if not completely online. Students will find that a variety of support services also exist, including 24/7 technical support, academic and career advising, an online bookstore, and an online library.

Types of Degrees Available:
Associate’s, Bachelor’s
Cost per credit hour: $118.22
Student to Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points: 8

1. Florida International University

Miami, Florida

Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL
Florida International University offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs online.

Website

Florida International University is one of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL. This school has an entire online university dedicated to busy students. This online school offers undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs in different fields, including education, engineering, nursing, business and more. Students will have access to the very same professionals who teach on-campus programs; these professors are also qualified to offer online education. With 100 percent online degrees available and a full suite of support services such as technical support and academic advising, this is a great place for students who ready to begin their professional careers.

Types of Degrees Available:
Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate
Cost per credit hour: $223
Student to Faculty Ratio: 25:1
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Total Points:9

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Career Options for an Online Degree?

Online degrees offer students the chance to take on nearly every kind of career imaginable. Because online programs are so mainstream, students can use them for professions in engineering, business, marketing, communication, education, nursing, and more. There’s no end to what students can accomplish once they have completed their education.

Medical professionals, such as doctors, surgeons, dentists and pharmacologists, along with lawyers, will need to complete their graduate and professional education and specialist schools. Along with certain military and government professions as well, these are the only exceptions to this rule.

How Does an Online Program Work?

An online program is relatively straightforward in its process. However, students who have never completed an online course or degree may find it necessary to understand how it works prior to jumping into a program. The following is a generalized view of a degree; students are encouraged to learn more at the school of their choice.

A student will apply to a program in the same way that a traditional student would. Once accepted, they will complete an online orientation prior to the start of their classes. Orientation is generally done online in keeping with the rest of the degree. This time will be spent teaching students how to access the virtual portal, which is where their coursework lies; running down how assignments and exams are offered, and any other requirements needed for graduation. Students will also learn about the support services and applications that they will have access to for their program.

After this, students will register for courses, much in the same way on-campus students do. They will look at the schedule of offerings, compare it with requirements for their degree, and register for courses. The main difference here is that while on-campus students will need to attend live courses, online students will have the choice to complete live or on-demand courses.

Live courses have a set schedule while on-demand courses can be accessed at any time, anywhere. Live participation is not required f0r on-demand courses; however, they will have deadlines for assignments, quizzes, projects, and exams. Courses may also be anywhere from four to 16 weeks in length.

Students will access the virtual portal for all of their coursework. Lectures, tutoring, office hours and submitting work is done through this portal. The only thing that cannot be done through the portal are work experiences; these are done in a student’s community under the supervision of an approved proctor.

Once all of the requirements are met, a student can graduate. Attending the graduation ceremony is optional; students do not have to attend in order to receive their diploma. These are mailed to them within weeks of the graduation ceremony.

If an Online Program Has Residency Requirements, is it Necessary to Attend Campus?

Residency requirements mean two things: the amount of coursework taken at a school and the time spent on a physical campus. Both refer to online students, although the latter is strictly just for students who do not attend a campus program. If a school requires either of these residencies, they must be completed before a student graduates from the program.

Residency coursework requirements are commonplace; most schools put this requirement into place to ensure that a student takes enough coursework at the institution in order to lay claim to a degree from that school. Normally the requirement is more than half of the total coursework required; some online programs only require 45 credit hours of a bachelor’s program and 30 for a master’s program. Students will need to check the requirement for the program they wish to attend prior to applying for acceptance.

Physical residency requirements are mandatory for students in low-residency or hybrid programs. This term refers to the time spent on campus and in face-to-face sessions. The number of time students will need to spend on campus depends on the program; hybrid programs require half of the degree being earned in on-campus courses while low-residency programs may require as little as one visit for the duration of the program or biannual long weekend residencies every term.

The only time physical residency is not required by an online program is when the degree is conferred 100 percent online. These programs are listed as such in the school’s academic catalog and on the website; students may see these programs also listed as “wholly online” or “no-residency” degrees. Schools make it absolutely clear when the program has no physical residency requirements so that students who do not have the time or money to complete on-campus sessions can choose wisely.

Will an Online Program Be Beneficial to Military Veterans and/or Active Duty Members?

Yes, an online program is a great benefit to military veterans and active duty members. Due to the modularity of the program, students both at home and abroad can earn an accredited education without obstacles, making it a great choice for those in the military. With tuition discounts provided for these members, along with the supportive features of a program, it can be a great start to an impressive career both in and out of the military.

Veterans and active duty members of the military are often provided with online tuition rates that are substantially lower than what online students can have access to. This is done because schools in the United States are dedicated to providing military members with the chance to go back to school and complete their degree at an affordable rate. Schools that offer special military tuition rates often have this information posted on a program website.

Military members will also benefit from a supportive online community. These students will have the ability to complete their degree on their own time; flexible study options are available at nearly every online school and throughout all types of programs. They are also able to study full-time or part-time, take live or on-demand classes, and complete their studies when and where it’s most convenient for them. In fact, online programs are how most military members complete their education.

But it’s not just about the flexibility of the degree; military members often work all over the world and getting support from a program is critical to their success. Online schools have 24/7 technical support, online academic advising, career services and more, all available at times that military members can have time to access the portal. This makes online schooling a great choice for these service members.

Is It Possible for a Student to Find Financial Aid for an Online Program?

Yes, it is possible for an online student to find financial aid. The type and amount of financial aid will depend on the student’s status at a school and the program.

Federal financial aid is available to all students, even those who are enrolled in an online program. However, the school must be approved by the United States Department of Education and hold regional accreditation. Students will need to fill out this form prior to enrolling in classes and demonstrate the requirements for receiving such aid. Additionally, state financial aid may be offered to students.

One thing to keep in mind about federal financial aid is that students need to be enrolled full-time in a program to qualify. Some schools consider their online students to be full-time even if they are taking courses part-time, enabling these students to apply for federal and state financial aid. Students are highly encouraged to speak to the school about their financial aid options.

Scholarships and grants are also available to students. The type of awards available to students, in this case, depend on the program and financial need. Scholarships and grants are possible in every field but some students, including those who are in financial need or are from a minority background, may find it easier to find awards than others; again, this depends on the scholarship itself.

Award amounts vary depending on the type of aid. It is important to note that most students who enroll in online programs do receive some sort of aid to help them pay for their education. It is up to the student to research the types of aid available to them prior to applying for financial aid.

What is the Difference Between Traditional and Online Tuition Rates?

In the past, traditional tuition rates served as the same pay structure for online students. The only difference in how much a student would pay lied in whether they were in-state or out-of-state residents; in-state students generally pay less than out-of-state students. Up until a few years ago, this was the common practice.

However, as more schools build an online branch of their school, things are beginning to change. More schools are offering students the chance to complete their online degree at the same tuition rate as in-state students. Even more schools are introducing an online flat tuition rate. These online rates are substantially less than the those found in on-campus programs.

There are two types of online tuition rates: a traditional style of tuition rate and an online flat tuition rate. Both are more affordable than on-campus programs but have different benefits. While not all schools utilize online tuition rates, they can be considered to be worth massive savings over traditional online programs.

Online tuition rates are calculated based on credit per hour, which is one of the factors at play in the ranking above. This refers to the price students pay for a course. Students who study part-time will pay less than full-time students but will be subjected to registration and other fees for a lot longer since it will take longer to complete their program. This type of rate is great for part-time students because they only pay for the courses they take.

Online flat tuition rate is a term that refers to the amount that an online student pays for the entire term. This is a flat rate that students pay for one term regardless of how many courses they take. Students can take as little as nine credit hours or as many as 15 credit hours while still paying just one flat rate. Individuals who are ambitious and can take on a large course load will benefit the most from online flat tuition rates as they will be able to take on more work and graduate faster than other students.

Can an Online Student Use Campus Facilities If They Live Close to Campus?

Generally speaking, online students have access to the online arm of a school while on-campus students have access to the physical campus. In some cases, students will have access to the campus, especially if they are in a hybrid program. However, there are other cases in which students will either not have access to the school and its facilities.

Students who live near campus but attend online courses through an online degree will usually not have any reason to visit the school. In fact, it is rare that they would be required to attend campus. Some exceptions to this rule could be if a student must complete an exam or orally defend a research project or thesis.

Tuition fees are really the biggest factor in whether an online student can access the campus. Tuition fees include the credit-per-hour cost for the actual courses along with fees that help the school maintain the campus. Because schools are now introducing an online-only tuition rate, which is described in another section in this fact, this means that online students do not pay facility fees and therefore would not have access to the campus. Only students who pay for the use of the campus are guaranteed use of the facilities.

It should also be noted that schools have security measures put in place to ensure that only students, faculty, and staff have access to the facilities. This comes in the form of a campus student ID number or a physical ID that they can use on campus. Since many of the facilities are locked and require these security measures, online students may find it difficult, if not impossible, to use the facilities.

Some online programs do offer students the chance to use campus facilities. This is on a case-by-case basis, meaning that students should inquire about their ability to be on campus even as online students. Confirming whether the school allows this is the best course of action for interested students.

There are so many great choices for online programs in Miami that it makes it easy to find the right one for any student. No matter what the field of study is, there is a program that will fit the financial and professional needs of any working student. With this list of the top 10 colleges for an online degree in Miami, FL, in hand, students will have no problem choosing the school that will help them achieve their professional goals.

This concludes our ranking of the Top 10 Colleges for an Online Degree in Miami, FL.

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