Best Community Colleges in Florida in 2024 (Online & On-Campus)

Community Colleges in Florida offer outstanding options for students that want to earn a career certificate, a technical certificate, or an associate’s degree. Some students attend a Florida community college because they want to learn the skills necessary for a particular career, or to earn the required certification that allows them to work in a particular trade. Other students complete an associate of arts (A.A.) degree because they plan to transfer to a school with four-year degree programs. Students earning an associate of science (A.S.) degree likely plan to start working in their chosen career after graduation.

There are some colleges that are considered community colleges that also offered a limited number of bachelor’s degrees.

Best 5 Community Colleges in Florida

Is Attending a Community College in Florida Really Worth It?

This is a question that some prospective students may ask when considering whether to attend one of the community colleges in Florida. Does earning a certificate really matter? What about an associate’s degree? The truth is that there is a significant difference when considering whether completing a Florida Community College program really matters in earnings or career progression.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that adults do not necessarily have to earn a bachelor’s degree to earn higher wages. The BLS lists 99 occupations that typically do not require completion of a bachelor’s degree program, stating that most of the occupations require only a community college-level certificate or associate’s degree. The BLS projects that employment for individuals that have an associate’s degree or a post-secondary certificate is expected to grow by 11 percent through 2026, which is faster than the projected 7 percent average for all occupations.

Consider the comparison between the annual wages of someone with a high school diploma and the wages of someone with an associate’s degree. A worker with an associate’s degree in 2017 earned an average of $16,730 more than a worker with only a high school diploma. The authors of a 2019 Business Insider article indicated that the median annual pay range for individuals with an associate’s degree was between $55,460 to just under $75,000, and that some workers earn over $100,000 a year, depending on the particular job.

These community colleges in Florida offer a variety of opportunities for people that want to learn a new trade, start a new career, change careers, or that want to earn an advanced degree to prepare for their future.

Please note that the listed tuition rates are the costs for resident students. Some schools charge different rates for non-residents. Tuition does not include extra costs such as lab fees, material fees, books, uniforms, or transportation, unless stated in a school’s listing. Tuition covers only the cost of enrolling in each particular course.

20 Best Community Colleges in Florida (Online & On-Campus)

How We Ranked the Schools

We work hard to develop lists of the best and most affordable schools, based on factors that are relative to today’s prospective students. We ranked each of these Florida Community Colleges by assigning a unique score for tuition and including only properly accredited schools in our listings.

We always strive to do our best to be honest, accurate and fair in our rankings and listing of schools. We do not allow any school to pay us for a higher placement in our rankings. Any school that wishes to be sponsored is listed separately from schools included in the rankings and is clearly listed as SPONSORED.

Please contact us if you would like to include your school in our rankings or if you would like to update the information currently listed for your school.

Florida has a rich higher education culture. The state has 53 private colleges and 40 public colleges. On average, the tuition of in-state students is $6,464. Out-of-state community college students in Florida can pay a tuition fee of up to $11,973. The tuition fee can be slightly higher in private colleges. 

Community colleges are cheaper when compared to traditional four-year universities. Florida has some of the best community colleges that favor the demographics of the area. Generally, community colleges are made up of the local population since most students come not far from their preferred schools. The average acceptance rate of community colleges in Florida stands at 86%.  

When enrolling in a Florida college, go for the best. With the many community colleges available, students may get confused about which one to choose. However, this should be easy at this time and age. Always go for community colleges that have a good reputation for producing the best graduates. You can always check online to see what people are saying about your preferred community college. Ensure that you only get admitted to a community college with the best ratings. Be on the lookout for their credit transfer policies as you may want to use your associate degree as a stepping stone towards obtaining a bachelor’s degree.  

Benefits of Community Colleges in Florida

Community colleges offer a cheaper alternative to four-year universities due to their small sizes. The average cost of studying at a community college in Florida is $2,963, whereas studying in a four-year university can cost you up to $9,000. The cost of studying at a private university is even higher. Attending a community college can save students thousands of dollars, especially if they offer a fee waiver. The good thing is that you can always transfer your credits to an accredited four-year university. 

Community colleges are also the best option for those not ready to study far from home. You can take your time and learn how college is different from your previous high school. Some students use this opportunity as a way of initiating a smooth transition from high school to college. Studying close to home also gives you the chance to improve your time management skills, develop better studying strategies, and enhance independent learning. 

Also, community colleges have smaller class sizes. As a result, community college students can get more individualized attention from their professors. You can always take advantage of this to interact with your professors and ask them any challenging questions that you may come across. With the smaller class sizes, students have easy access to their professors’ office hours instead of attending a four-year degree program at the university. 

Moreover, attending community colleges gives students a chance to explore their career options. You can always enroll in a general program in the community colleges and see where your best interest lies. After that, you can now commit to a four-year program that ends up never being what you wanted to do. 

For you to get admitted into any Florida community college, you should have a GPA of 3.35. Avoid getting C’s and D’s because college education comes with a lot of pressure. Most Florida colleges accept below-average students. You must also take SAT or ACT subject tests as part of your application to join any community college in Florida. The SAT score cutoff depends on the average score of the school you choose to attend. On a 1600 SAT scale, Florida community colleges require that students have an average SAT score composite of 1100. 

Top Programs at Community Colleges in Floridas 

Most community colleges in Florida offer associate degrees and certificates. They are a better option for those who may opt-out of a four-year college route. A majority of community colleges in Florida have an open enrollment system. Therefore, any high school senior with an equivalent of a high school diploma can gain entry. However, for technical courses like in medical programs, prospective students may need additional requirements.  On average, community colleges in Florida charge an average of $3,347 per academic year. Also, community colleges have an older population compared to traditional four-year colleges. The students who attend community colleges fall between the age of 22 and 39. In general, there are more females than males in community colleges. 

Community colleges in Florida offer two-year associate degrees.  Some of the associate degrees offered at these colleges prepare students for careers that require a two-year education program. Associate of Applied Science degree programs come in handy for law enforcement and healthcare positions like nursing or diagnostic medical imaging. Other associate degrees like those in the fields of hospitality and accounting prepare students for immediate workforce entry. 

Associate degrees can also be used as a stepping stone for those who may wish to transfer to a four-year university. Students who complete their general education at community college find it easier to adjust to the four-year courses. However, students should be vigilant and only go to accredited community colleges in Florida. Some of the most common Associate of Arts/ Science degree programs offered in community colleges include mathematics, English, computer science, and psychology. 

Florida community colleges also award diplomas and certificates to non-degree programs. These courses can last several months or weeks, depending on their technicality. They are normally meant for students who want to develop a particular skill without going through the associate or bachelor’s degree route. 

Seminole State College of Florida is one of the best community colleges in the region. Since its founding in 1965, it has trained some of the best professionals in Florida. Its campus sits on a massive 50 acres. In-state students pay $3,131 in tuition and fees. For out-of-state students, you’ll have to part with $11,456 in tuition and fees. If you are looking for a Florida community college that gives students the maximum attention they require, you should try out Seminole State College of Florida. 

Career Options After a Community College in Florida

Historically known as Junior Colleges, community college is typically a higher education institution that strives to provide affordable educational opportunities to all. Unlike the four-year college and universities, almost everyone who applies to community colleges will get accepted. However, an Associate Degree is the highest degree one can receive from a community college. Community college offers a path to a four-year college whereby a graduate with an associate degree can successfully transfer and study for a full Bachelor’s degree.

What Are the Career Options After College?

Once you are done with community college, you’ll have various options through which you can embark on a successful career. Graduates can choose to further their education and pursue a Bachelor’s degree or go for job training, among a host of other options. 

Below are these options explained in further detail.

Transfer to a Four-Year College

For anyone looking to get a Bachelor’s degree, this would be the best option to go for once they are done with community college. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that not many community college students who would like to obtain a Bachelor’s degree end up doing it. Statistics show that only about 14% of students who start at the community college level end up successfully transferring and acquiring a Bachelor’s degree within six years. These stats are very damning and show how much the path to obtaining a bachelor’s degree is littered with potholes. So how does one ensure that they are part of the successful 14%? 

Study for Placement Tests

Experts advise community college students to ensure that they study for the Math and English placement tests synonymous with community college. They improve their chances at passing these tests and thus avoid remedial courses that do not offer credit. Students are advised to go to testing centers and seek study aids.

Select A Major Early Enough

Students who pick a major early enough are more likely to transfer from community college successfully. Therefore, students are advised to get a taste of a potential major, such as social and behavioral science, business, education, or criminal justice, while still in the first semester as it boosts their chances. This is particularly essential for those looking to major in the sciences, engineering, and nursing as they have many prerequisites.

Start Looking Early

If a community college student is to have any hope of transferring to a four-year university, they should start checking out potential universities early enough. This is important because they need to know what kind of classes are required to transfer to get the credits. The best thing to do is talk to transfer advisors in the four-year universities and professors at the intended department to advise appropriately since different schools have different transfer requirements.

Top Community College Degrees

While we focus on some of the career options one may have after graduating from community college, it is important to know the top community college degrees. In other words, let’s discuss some of the degree programs at the community college level that give the highest chance of a successful career once one has graduated.

Radiation Technology/Medical Imaging

With a two-year degree in this field, one could qualify to work as a diagnostic medical sonographer, a radiation therapist, or even a nuclear medicine technologist. These jobs typically pay a median salary of around $70,000 as per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While there may be Bachelor’s degree programs in these fields, there is very little evidence to suggest that graduates from these programs start at a significantly higher salary.

Engineering Technology

In the manufacturing field, employers tend to go for specific skills as opposed to particular degrees. This means that even without an Associate Degree from a community college, one can still secure a career as an engineering technician in several different fields. The median salary ranges between $55,000 and $75,000.

Dental Hygiene

A dental hygienist with a Bachelor’s Degree almost has the same chance of securing employment as a hygienist with a two-year associate degree. This is owed to the fact that an Associate Degree is sufficient enough to get a license. From then on, one can acquire experience and further their career to greater heights.

Plumbing and Heating

A technical certificate is a minimum requirement for one to become a plumbing and heating technician. With a certificate, one may be required to complete an apprentice program, which doesn’t pay huge sums, but wages increase significantly once they’re done.

Some of the other well-paying jobs that one can get with only an Associate Degree include air traffic controllers, construction managers, registered nurses, operations technicians, electronic engineering technicians, and electrical engineering technicians.

Tips for Finding A Job After College

While community college graduates’ career opportunities are in abundance, finding a job will always be an uphill task. Below are a few tips to help one find a job after graduation.

List Target Companies

While pursuing the degree, you should already know some of the postgraduate opportunities you have. Try and make a list of around ten companies you would want to work for once you’re done with school and make an effort to make contact with at least one person in each of these companies. By creating a network, you will be increasing your chances.

Customize Your Resume

Companies receive hundreds of resumes, so you must try and make yours stand out. Customize your resume for each job application and explain what makes you suitable for that particular position in that particular company. Include certifications or relevant experiences that could help you stand out from other candidates.

Take an Internship as Early as Possible

Employers will always lean towards candidates with a little bit of experience in that particular field. Many fresh graduates don’t have any experience, so you need to take up an internship any time the opportunity arises. Internships, even unpaid ones, are great ways to advance one’s career.

Have A LinkedIn Profile

This is one of the largest networking tools available. With a good LinkedIn profile, you will improve your chances of being contacted by recruiters.

The minimum requirement for one to get a free community college in Florida or receive in-state tuition, as it is referred to in some circles, is that they have to be a Florida resident. To be judged as a Florida resident, they must have resided in the state for at least 12 months before the first day of the term. For dependent students (one who is dependent on a parent’s federal income taxes), one of the parents should be the one to provide proof of residency.

To prove residency for tuition rates purposes, students will need to present at least two documentation pieces with dates that prove the student or their parents were a Florida resident for at least 365 days before the first day of class.

Extracurricular activities always leave a good impression on college administrators and give the applicant an edge over other candidates. There are those activities that appeal even more and make a student attractive. Such activities are what you should look to venture into before applying for college because it will significantly boost their chances. These activities include volunteer work, student government, Academic teams, culture clubs, and also internships.

Least Expensive Community Colleges in Florida

When it comes to getting a community college degree, the cost is a significant factor because most learners don’t need to spend a fortune settling all associated fees. The State of Florida is no different, as residents often consider pursuing a higher degree while spending less on tuition. Besides, it helps students have a budget that allows them to afford food, room, transport school supplies, and utility bills. 

Another significant benefit of considering the cheapest colleges in Florida is that students reduce or prevent unwanted college debts. That said, the State of Florida comprises various colleges offering the lowest in-state tuition costs. Here are some of the cheapest colleges to consider;

Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, FL

The Gulf Coast College is a public college and part of the Florida College System offering Associated Arts, Sciences degrees, certificates, and bachelor’s degrees. Established in 1957, it is among the cheapest colleges in the State and offers over 150 programs to different students. With a net price of $14,000 per year, it is among the best places for students to achieve their academic goals.

The University of Central Florida In Orlando, FL

The University of Central Florida is the second-largest college in the United States, offering over 200 degree programs. It is the academic leader in areas such as engineering and computer, business administration, and optics. Sitting on 1,415 acres of land, the University of Central Florida has approximately 60,000 students and being the largest in the country by undergraduate enrolment. The net price of this college stands at $17,000 per year.

Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL

With a tuition fee of $1,872, Santa Fe college offers various academic studies ranging from Arts and Sciences programs to Technology and Applied Sciences and Bachelor’s degrees. The institution had over 18,000 students in 2020 and includes satellite campuses in Alachua and Bradford counties. The total annual cost of these colleges stands at $17,500.

Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL

Situated downtown Tallahassee, Florida State University has 32,000 students and majors in finance, English language and literature, criminal justice, and international relations. Besides, it features the State’s National Laboratory, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, and manages the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the State Art Museum. Florida State University also thrives in university sports. Its net price per year sits at $ 19,500.

Other cheapest colleges with a net tuition fee of between $14,000 to $19,000 in Florida include Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, St. Petersburg College in Petersburg, and Baptist College of Florida in Graceville. With Florida among the leading States with several colleges in the United States, several offer courses at the lowest prices. This allows students to apply for individual courses at affordable costs readily.

How Much Can You Make with A Degree from A Community College in Florida?

According to a report presented to the Florida State Board of Education Meeting in 2019, graduates from Florida community colleges earn more annual average salaries than state universities. The sluggish workforce and economy have influenced the increased rates, more so in Florida. Notably, a graduate’s average annual salary from a community college is $47,700 right from school. Contrarily, those who graduate from public universities receive an average salary of $36,500.

With a difference of around $11,000, it is never a significant difference for freshly graduated students exploring the professional world, primarily those graduating with college debt. The primary motive for such variations emerges with graduates pursuing vocational programs in community colleges seem to do well after graduating. The report also shows that students graduating after six months or less earn an average net salary of $37,350. Those who complete certificate training in particular industries earn up to $39,100 annually.

Reasons for The Difference

Most explanations behind this difference are that students in community colleges receive more focused education in specific training and skills. Studies show that universities pride in being havens for all forms of knowledge while offering programs with little room for graduates to secure employment opportunities. Community colleges, on the other hand, focus on job-specific programs such as healthcare. 

Arts degree graduates from community colleges earn an average of $31,800 per year, supporting this theory. Though it isn’t specific industry-focused, it is a program that involves general education courses. However, the salary for community college graduates in Florida varies based on the age difference between community college students. This is because more adults are heading back to class for retraining hence likely to earn more salaries.

Despite an increased number of community college graduates graduating each year, advancements in most fields determine salaries, with those taking four-year degrees earning more annually. More so, those who go-ahead to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees have a greater earning potential. The answer to how much money you can earn from a community college in Florida is often various between graduates but greater than students in public universities.

How Can You Find Online Program Options at Florida Colleges?

Sometimes, students opt to take online classes because of flexibility and pursue other passions outside the classroom. There are several program options at Florida colleges where students can choose from. However, finding online program options isn’t a single day solution. Students have to find a program that they’ll enjoy studying and have passion in their career.

To find the online program options at Florida colleges, you have to consider several factors. These enable students to make a decision that never compromises their everyday activities. Some of these factors to consider are;

Access to Resources

Students should consider the range of resources available for the program they opt for and how accessible these resources are. They should have access to resources and services such as library resources, experience team, and career advice. Students who choose online programs should feel that they can access the required resources the same way students in colleges do.

Interactivity and Engagement

It’s crucial to choose a course that is designed as an online program. Programs using a cutting-edge platform are the best as their content is interactive. Watching video demos can help students to know the online program production quality. An engaging and interactive online experience should be a priority for each learner.

Networking

The online course the students choose should allow networking that results in professional development. Students should interact freely with each other and their online tutors when focusing on the online course. They should have the same experience as those who enroll in campuses. Students opting for online programs should also get a sense of being part of a community with the same interests regarding academic studies.

Content Delivered

Students should understand the content covered in the online program at hand as it enables them to meet their academic goals. Those who take online programs to enhance their career should also choose an online teaching platform that adds value to their academic knowledge, helping them establish their career objectives swiftly. 

Credibility

Scholars should consider the college’s credibility whenever choosing an online program. They should compare reviews, accreditations, and other rankings to know the degree of quality that can come out of it. A degree certificate is vital in the job market; hence, it is crucial to opt for top-rated online program options with an excellent reputation.

Final Words 

Finding the right program option to build your career at Florida colleges often depends on your interest area. Florida community colleges are designed to give students the best education quality that gives them value for their money. If you want to save some money while pursuing higher education, you should consider attending the above-mentioned community colleges. Don’t forget to put in extra effort to give your college education the maximum attention it needs.