10 Cheapest Online Master's Degrees in Florida 2025

Master's degrees are a common way to advance along a career path and differentiate job applicants from people with only bachelor's degrees. Graduate students in Florida can find cheap online master's degree programs from top-ranking universities across the state.

Find out more about the high-quality, cheap online master's degrees, including Master of Business Administration, educational leadership, criminal justice, and many more. These online learning programs are fully accredited and provide the full flexibility of online education at affordable rates.

10 Most Affordable Online Master's Programs in Florida

Affordable online master's programs are available from some of the most well-respected universities in the state of Florida. Although these degrees primarily use fully online coursework, some education programs do include internship or practicum requirements that involve an in-person component.

1. University of Central Florida

Online graduate students at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have access to 49 total degrees and specializations. Some of the most popular fields of study at UCF include social work, elementary education, and systems engineering. UCF also offers several online certificate programs that can further enhance a student's education.

• Average cost per credit hour: $288.16
• Financial aid: Students can submit their FAFSA and receive federal grants and scholarships. UCF also grants students access to their A20 program, which is a single application for over 200 different scholarships.
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

2. University of South Florida

The online graduate catalog at the University of South Florida (USF) includes 58 total graduate programs and specialization options. Students can find enrollment in multiple business administration specialties, cybersecurity, and social work. Online enrollment at USF includes access to the Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC), which grants access to a digital library, academic services, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $347.91
• Financial aid: USF accepts federal aid and also provides fellowship and foundation scholarship opportunities to students.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

3. Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has some of the top-ranking online degree programs, according to respected publications like U.S. News & World Report. The 21 online master's degrees offered at FAU include data science, educational leadership, and social work. FAU also offers an expansive set of online support services to help fully remote learners get the same support as their on-campus classmates.

• Average cost per credit hour: $371.82
• Financial aid: In addition to traditional grants and scholarships, FAU offers emergency financial aid for students who experience sudden situations that require additional financial aid.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

4. Florida Gulf Coast University

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has 17 master's degrees that can be earned through fully online courses. The fields of study available include educational leadership, special education, and instructional design. Many of these degrees are offered on accelerated tracks that utilize seven-week-long courses offered year-round, which can result in a degree being completed in as few as 12 months. Non-accelerated degrees generally take students about two years.

• Average cost per credit hour: $373
• Financial aid: Students have access to grants and scholarships, with specially designed financial aid for summer courses.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

5. University of West Florida

There are 32 online master's degrees available at the University of West Florida (UWF), including computer science, public health, and healthcare administration. These programs prioritize flexibility with multiple start dates and self-pacing options available. Online students at the University of West Florida receive access to many of the same resources as their on-campus classmates do, including library resources, tutoring services, and more.

• Average cost per credit hour: $377.60
• Financial aid: UWF students can qualify for grants, scholarships, and federal work-study programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

6. Florida State University

The online programs at Florida State University (FSU), called Distance@FSU, include 26 master's degree options. Some of the top-ranked programs offered by Distance@FSU include systems engineering, management information systems, and information technology. The online programs include access to a variety of support services, including online tutoring, library services, and veteran services. These courses are offered in a blend of synchronous and asynchronous formats to help students find the learning methods that are the best for them.

• Average cost per credit hour: $444.26
• Financial aid: FSU accepts federal aid, including grants, scholarships, and work-study programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

7. Florida International University

Florida International University's online degrees include 45 different master's degrees. Learners can find graduate degrees in criminal justice, human resource management, and health informatics. Most of these degrees are available fully online, but some of the healthcare-focused programs, such as the Master of Health Services Administration, are hybrid degrees due to in-person learning experiences.

• Average cost per credit hour: $455.64
• Financial aid: Students can qualify for federal grants and scholarships after they submit their FAFSA forms.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. St. Thomas University

St. Thomas University (STU) has 17 total online degrees and specialization options, including accounting, nursing, and criminology. These degrees are delivered in accelerated formats and many only take most learners around 12 months to complete, but some others take longer. STU promotes flexible learning opportunities that fit around a learner's schedule without disrupting their daily life.

• Average cost per credit hour: $700
• Financial aid: STU accepts FAFSA results and federal aid programs. Students also have access to resources to help find external scholarships.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University (NSU) has seven campuses throughout Florida, but it also offers fully online degrees. The school has been offering distance education since 1972 and offers 49 total online graduate degrees. Some of the degrees available include artificial intelligence cybersecurity, data analytics, and psychology. These online programs are offered through individual regional campuses and utilize those campuses' resources and faculty.

• Average cost per credit hour: $950
• Financial aid: NSU offers school-based scholarships to students in addition to federal and state programs.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. University Of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) offers 91 online master's degrees. Some fields of study include aerospace engineering, curriculum and instruction, management, and more. Learners can also choose from a variety of specialization options to further customize their education. All University of Florida online programs are taught by the same faculty as on-campus programs, ensuring students get the same high-quality education no matter which format the degree is delivered through.

• Average cost per credit hour: $1,061
• Financial aid: Students can earn federal and state-based aid, like grants and scholarships, as well as private scholarships and grants from non-state entities.
• Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

We use strict criteria to ensure that our recommendations are high-quality online programs. Although affordability is one of your top considerations, we also consider other factors.

• Accreditation: We selected accredited universities to ensure all degrees on this list meet strict education requirements.
• Affordability: We highlighted programs with lower tuition rates or diverse financial aid programs.
• Program reputation: In addition to accreditation, we looked at programs that receive independent awards from well-respected publications, such as U.S. News & World Report.

FAQs About Cheap Online Master's Programs in Florida

With the increased availability of online master's degrees, Florida-based students often have questions about these programs. Common questions include total costs, financial aid availability, and degree length.

How Much Does an Online Master's Degree Cost in Florida?

The average cost of an online master's degree in Florida is around $25,000, but many factors impact total costs. Unlike bachelor's degrees, there isn't a standard credit requirement for master's degrees, and students will pay more for degrees with higher credit requirements.

Is There Financial Aid for Online Master's Programs in Florida?

Online master's programs have the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus programs. Students can access grants, scholarships, and federal work-study programs to help pay for their schooling. Many schools even offer unique scholarships for online learners.

Are Online Master's Degrees Cheaper Than In-Person Programs?

In most cases, an online master's degree is cheaper than an on-campus degree. This is due to factors like reduced fees associated with classes, supplies, and other on-campus resources.

How Long Does an Online Master's Program Take?

It depends on the educational program, but an online master's degree can take anywhere from 10 to 40 months. The average length of time is about two years, based on a 36-credit-hour program (nine per semester).

Find an Online Master's Degree

If you want to find online master's degrees that pay well, use our school profiles and articles to learn more about universities and the degrees they offer. Once you've found the best degree program for your educational and career goals, use our resources to reach out and begin your application process today.