Miami Beach Coast, Florida (Photo by Hoberman Collection/UIG via Getty Images)
Over 20 million people live in Florida, many of whom reside in Miami-Dade county, the state’s largest county. With a comfortable climate year-round, Florida is a prime location for visitors, retirees, and college students. Florida has a strong higher education system. The State University System has some of the largest schools, consisting of 28 community colleges and some of the highest ranked state colleges in the United States. As a tourism hub, manufacturing, trading, and entrepreneurship students interested in an online MBA in Florida will find the state a great place to develop their talent and foster professional relationships.
The State of Florida has a diverse collection of colleges and universities that feature prices, admission requirements, locations, and costs of living to meet various student needs. Some popular online MBA programs in Florida offer flexible per-credit tuition rates, and public institutions offer lower rates to FL residents. Some colleges, like the University of Miami, offset greater tuition costs with significant financial aid options. Many Florida schools don’t require a GMAT score, and some even grant waiver options for business people with work experience.
Many Florida colleges are near large cities like Tallahassee, Miami, and Orlando. Along with higher costs for food, entertainment, and transportation you would expect in popular tourist cities, these places also have higher housing costs — average rent can run from $1,100 to $2,100 depending on what part of the city you live in. The most affordable of city is actually Orlando, good news for potential students who wish to attend a smaller online MBA Florida program but would like the pluses of a larger city. Some close options include Stetson University and the Florida Institute of Technology, which reside in nearby Deland and Melbourne, respectively.
You can find a variety of specializations like marketing, accounting, and human resources management in online MBA programs in Florida offer. Each program prepares graduates for leadership positions in numerous career paths. These online programs also provide concentrations that take advantage of Florida’s best industries, like tourism, international trade, and real estate. The real estate industry contributes nearly one quarter of Florida’s total gross domestic product, according to a recent U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says retail trade remains a leading Florida industry, a trend which spans over a decade of the organization’s data collection. This statistic reflects the importance of manufacturing, sales, and other business enterprises to Florida’s economic health. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) reports comparable findings, citing the top employing private industries as retail trade, services, and service production. Other substantial areas include, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, information technology, and real estate. Additionally, the FDEO shows a consistent decline in the unemployment rate. Recent findings show a rate of 3.8%, sitting below the national average.
Florida is projected to recover rapidly from the damage caused by the recent hurricanes. Good jobs exist all over Florida, but they tend to cluster in populated cities like the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-West Palm Beach metropolitan area. The Tampa and Orlando areas each employ over 1.3 million people.
| Company | Industry | Headquarters City | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publix Supermarkets | Retail | Lakeland | 193,000 |
| Jabil Circuit | Manufacturing | St. Petersburg | 177,000 |
| Walt Disney World | Tourism/Hospitality | Orland | 62,000 |
Abundant career opportunities exist for people with online MBA degrees in Florida; leading industries continue to expand throughout the state and across the globe, and they require experienced professionals to lead their organizations through a fast paced work environment.
Hospitality and retail are huge industries in Florida. As a result, marketing managers are in high demand; they oversee advertising campaigns and generate consumer interest in a product or service. With an average salary of nearly $128,000 and an expected job growth of 9% over the next 10 years, MBA graduates will find this a rewarding career.
C company executives create and implement policies and strategic plans that help a business or organization to meet its forecasted goals. Pay can depend on the size of the company, but the average salary is $135,800 and job growth is projected at 8% over the next 10 years.
The IT and healthcare industries in Florida are also large. Talented information systems managers are necessary to create and maintain computer-related infrastructures. Information systems managers enjoy an average salary of over $135,000, and the job is projected to grow 12% through 2026, outpacing many other careers.
Real estate is the top revenue producer in Florida, and professionals in this field can expect an 11% job growth over the next several years. Real estate specialists maintain the appearance and assess the value of a property, as well as facilitating its sale. The average salary stands at $57,540, though higher pay is possible as you gain more experience and make connections.
Some of the best Florida online MBA programs are featured below. This list considers the school’s popularity, academic excellence, and quality of services offered to students. Other factors include cost, financial assistance, and admission requirements. The information below is meant as a starting point, so be sure to do your own research to make an informed decision about what schools fit your needs.
There are many significant considerations to make before deciding on an online MBA program in Florida – these include factors explained above like cost, specialization, and concentrations. The following list is made up of some necessary steps to follow during the MBA program research process (in any state).
Student outcomes incorporate graduation rate, retention rate, the average debt student will take on, and overall student achievement with their degree program. Student outcomes do not ensure you will be pleased with a particular program but can help pinpoint a school’s pros and cons.
Practically every college or university posts tuition costs online. Additionally, you should research other college-related expenses like housing accommodations and meal plans (if you plan to study on-campus), official fees, and IT fees (for online students). You should also look into grants, scholarships, and financial aid that can offset some of the expenses.
Scheduling is crucial for students with other significant commitments, such as childcare or full-time jobs. Many online programs are self-paced; students in these classes are free to complete coursework on their own schedule. Synchronous programs (on the other hand) demand weekly online meetings with teachers and other students.
A large number of online MBA programs will include internships and capstone requirements ― and in many cases, students can obtain on-the-job training with real-world office experience. Look into the school’s industry partnerships, particularly regarding the field you plan to enter after receiving your MBA.
You should reach out to the alumni office at each school you are weighing and ask to be connected with previous students. These individuals can be great sources of information about education costs, life on (or off) campus, local tips, and other fundamental details for aspiring MBA students.