Florida is a state known for its amusement parks, beautiful beaches, and exciting maritime activities. It’s also a popular place for retirees to settle down. But Florida has more to offer than just fun and leisure. It boasts a fantastic higher education system, making it an attractive choice for international students seeking warm weather, friendly hospitality, and excellent academics.
Choosing to study in Florida as an international student may initially seem expensive, but affordable universities warmly welcome students worldwide.
When you think of Florida, you imagine amusement parks, sandy beaches, and retirement communities. It’s a place full of fantasies. However, beneath this surface, Florida has excellent educational opportunities for those seeking a top-notch academic experience alongside the tropical climate.
Finding the perfect college goes beyond just location. It involves carefully considering the most important qualities for your unforgettable college journey.
Florida is a hub of educational excellence, drawing students globally with its affordable education, diverse cultural experiences, and rigorous academics. Pursuing an international education in Florida opens up a world of possibilities for personal growth and knowledge.
Table of Contents.
- What are the best schools in Florida?
- What is the cheapest university in Florida?
- What are the cheapest universities in the US with in-state tuition?
- Where is the cheapest university for international students?
- What are the cheapest universities in Florida for international students?
- 1. University of West Florida
- 2. University of South Florida
- 3. University of Central Florida
- 4. Florida State University
- 5. University of Florida
What Are the Best Schools in Florida?
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Florida has several colleges and universities, including the largest aviation academy, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The best universities are found in Florida and in cities like Miami, Jacksonville, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Tallahassee.
According to the US News Rankings, the best colleges in Florida include;
- University of Florida
- university of Miami
- Florida State University
- University of South Florida
- University of Central Florida
- Florida International University
- Florida Institute of Technology
- Nova Southeastern University
- Florida A&M University
What Is the Cheapest University in Florida?
According to university calculations, Gulf Coast State University in Panama City claims the top spot among universities, offering in-state tuition of $1,750.
What are the cheapest universities in the US with in-state tuition?
According to the US Department of Education’s 2018-2019 IPEDS Survey, these are the cheapest schools in the US based on in-state tuition. The following table summarizes the reported costs for the 2018-2019 academic year.
| in-state tuition | Financing for the | Classification | Value $ |
| $1,750 In State Tuition | $1,750 In-State Tuition | – | – |
| $1,872 in in-state tuition | 2) Santa Fe Gainesville College, public non-profit | – | – |
| 2) Santa Fe Gainesville College, a public non-profit | 4) St. Petersburg Long College, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $1,943 In In-State Tuition | $1,910 In-State Tuition | – | – |
| $1,968 In In-State Tuition | 3) College of Central Florida Ocala, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $1,984 in in-state tuition | 5) University of Broward Fort Lauderdale, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $1,987 in in-state tuition | 6) Valencia College Orlando, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $2,051 In In-State Tuition | 7) Miami Dade University Miami, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $2,067 in in-state tuition | 8) Pensacola State College Pensacola, a public non-profit | – | – |
| $2,365 In-State Tuition | 10) Chipola Marianna College, public non-profit | – | – |
Where is the cheapest university for international students?
The US reportedly has colleges and universities with the lowest total cost for international students in 2023-24. These schools include;
- Mississippi University for Women.
- Minnesota State University —Moorhead.
- Bridgewater University State (MA).
- Nicholls University State (LA).
- Eastern New Mexico University.
- Brigham Young, University —Provo (UT).
What are the cheapest universities in Florida for international students?
But there are a few indicators that most students will agree have great appeal: factors like cost, student satisfaction and retention, selectivity and popularity, and long-term success of alumni.
Using a combination of these metrics, we have compiled a list of the 21 Cheapest Universities in Florida for International Students. See the link below for a List of Universities in Florida for International Students.
- University of West Florida
- University of South Florida
- University of Central Florida
- University of Central Florida
- Florida State University
- Florida International University
- University of Florida
- Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- Florida Memorial University
- Warner University
- Johnson University
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- southeastern university
- Bethune Cookman University
- Saint Leo University
- Trinity Baptist College
- New College of Florida
- Jacksonville University
- Keizer University
- Flagler college
1. University of West Florida
Nature lovers will feel right at home at the University of West Florida (UWF). It’s like a second home for people who love and appreciate nature! The university is located on a big piece of land called a “nature preserve” in a place called Pensacola. Imagine a big, wild area with lots of trees, hills, and even a beautiful river called the Escambia River. That’s where the university is!
But wait, there’s more! UWF is not just a regular university; it’s super special because it has an amazing “underwater archeology program.” What does that mean? Well, it’s like finding hidden treasure underwater! People from all over the world come to the university to learn about old things that are underwater, and they even get money to help them do this exciting work!
UWF is so cool that it even has a special place called Santa Rosa Island. It’s like having a little island just for the university! Students can go there to do important learning things, and they also get to have lots of fun, like playing games and doing fun activities by the water.
Now, let me tell you something really interesting. UWF is not just one college; it’s like having five colleges in one place! That’s like having five different schools altogether. They have many different classes, like learning about animals, nature, and many other fun things. They even have special degrees for people who want to be super smart in education!
Wow, so many students go to UWF, around 13,000! But don’t worry; the classes are not too big. There are not too many students in each class, so the teachers can give them lots of attention and help them learn better. It’s like having a big group of friends who all want to learn and have fun together!
Do you know what else is amazing about UWF? They love people who are in the military, like the brave soldiers who protect our country. They really like having these special people at the university and even got an award for being a “military-friendly” place! That means they treat their military friends very nicely and make sure they feel welcome.
Now, let’s talk about the money part. Going to UWF is slightly more expensive if you come from another country or another state. But don’t worry; they have a special fee that helps students from other places to come and study there. It’s like paying for all the good things you get at the university.
Fee Cost
International students (out-of-state residents) are charged a total cost of $31,282, which is 64.5% higher than Florida residents. Tuition is $16,587, while room and board are $9,354, books and supplies are $1,200, and other fees are $2,041.
So, if you love nature, want to learn about underwater treasures, and have lots of fun with new friends, the University of West Florida is the perfect place for you! It’s like going on a big daily adventure, and you’ll learn so many exciting things. Come and join the UWF family.
2. University of South Florida
The University of South Florida (USF) is one of the top three universities in Florida, known for its outstanding research programs, recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This means they are really good at doing important studies to make the world a better place!
USF is a big and impressive institution with lots of money, more than $1.6 million, to support research and education. They have three different campuses where students can learn and grow. Tampa is the main campus, where they do a lot of important research in subjects like nursing, medicine, public health, and pharmacy.
But wait, that’s not all! USF also has two other campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota, near the beautiful waterfront. These campuses are smaller but offer more than 40 different programs for students to choose from. Some of these programs are really famous, like hospitality (where they learn about taking care of people in hotels and restaurants) and digital media/journalism (where they learn about cool stuff like making videos and writing news articles).
Now, here’s some good news for international students. USF is one of the cheaper universities in Florida for them! That means they have special fees to help students from other countries come and study there. They are ranked 45th in the whole country for spending money on research, which is a big deal! It shows they care a lot about learning and making important discoveries.
USF has a bunch of colleges, like little schools within the big university. They offer more than 180 different majors and areas of study for undergraduate students. Some of the popular ones are USF Health (for people who want to work in medical fields), Arts & Sciences (where they explore all kinds of interesting subjects), Business (for future entrepreneurs and business leaders), and Engineering (for those who love to build and create cool things).
But wait, there’s even more! They also have many programs for students who want to continue their education after their undergraduate degree. They have special degrees for graduate, specialist, and doctoral levels. They even have a medical doctor program for people who want to be doctors and help sick people get better.
One thing USF is really proud of is being a high-impact, global research university. They want their students to be successful and positively impact the world.
Now, let’s talk about the costs. For international students who come from outside Florida, it costs around $32,324 to attend USF. That might seem like a lot, but it’s quite reasonable considering all their great opportunities. The tuition is around $15,473, including all the important things like classes and learning materials. The room and board, like paying for a place to live and food, cost about $9,700. There are also some other fees, like for activities and resources, which add up to around $4,100.
The University of South Florida is an awesome place for students who love to learn, do research, and make a difference in the world. With a wide range of programs and a commitment to student success, USF is a top choice for those looking for a bright future filled with exciting opportunities.
3. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida (UCF) was founded in 1963, and since then, it has become a super popular place for students like you! They have 13 different colleges and offer more than 216 degrees! That means there are so many cool things you can study there.
Guess what? UCF is known as one of the top universities that is quickly getting even better and more famous! People from all over the country talk about how great UCF is because an amazing 70% of their students graduate, which is really impressive! And get this – the students who go to UCF can make a lot of money in the future. They have “net ROI,” meaning they can earn over $300 more in 20 years after going to UCF. How cool is that?
UCF is like a hub of awesomeness in Florida! They are really good at space stuff and have something called a “space grant institution.” It’s like they are the experts in space-related things! But that’s not all; they are also known for being the best university in Florida for international students. That means they welcome students from all over the world with open arms!
They are super famous for their work in optics, simulation, and modeling (like playing games but to learn and solve problems), digital media (where you can learn about making cool videos and stuff), engineering (for those who love building and creating), and computer science (all about computers and technology). They are like a big powerhouse of knowledge and innovation!
Let’s talk about the University of South Florida (USF). They are ranked 171st in the whole country for being an amazing university! They accept around 48.6% of students who apply, which means they are quite selective. But that’s because they want the best and brightest students to come to their campus! They are ranked 482nd in the whole world, which is really cool!
USF is also one of the cheaper universities in Florida for students from outside the state. They want to make sure everyone has a chance to study there! The total cost for international students to attend USF is around $37,586, which might sound like a lot, but it’s actually reasonable for all the great things they offer. The tuition, which is like paying for classes and learning materials, is around $19,810.
Room and board, like having a place to live and food to eat, cost about $9,764. They also have some other fees for things like books and supplies, which add up to around $1,152, and other activities, which are around $4,970.
So there you have it – two amazing universities in Florida, each with its own unique strengths and opportunities. Whether it’s UCF’s wide range of degrees and great reputation or USF’s focus on research and affordability, both universities have so much to offer students like you!
4. Florida State University
Founded in 1851, Florida State University is not just one of the best universities in Florida; it is also the state’s oldest continuous site of higher education.
FSU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and features nationally ranked programs in business, engineering, medicine, social policy, and more.
But FSU offers more than a storied tradition of academic excellence: On its 500-acre campus, FSU hosts everything from NCAA Division I athletics to the FSU Museum of Fine Arts (FaMo), as well as groups of student media, including both radio and television programming.
Florida State University has an acceptance rate of 56% and is ranked 81st by the National University Rankings. Its world ranking is 431-440 in the world university ranking. It is also among the cheapest universities in Florida for international students.
Cost to attend
International students (out-of-state residents) pay a total cost of $37,019, which is reasonably decent. Tuition is $19,084, while room and board are $10,304, books and supplies are $1,000, and other fees are $4,764.
5. University of Florida
The University of Florida is one of sixty-two elected member institutions of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the leading association of North American research universities and the only AAU member university in Florida.
The university is classified as a very High Research Research University by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. After the Florida state legislature created performance standards in 2013, the Florida Board of Governors designated the University of Florida as one of three “preeminent universities” among the twelve Florida State University System universities. For 2018, US News & World Report ranked Florida as the 9th best public university in the United States.
With a top 15 ranking of all public universities in the country (according to US News) and membership in the Association of American Universities (the only elected member in the state), the University of Florida is easily one of the best universities in Florida. This prestigious and historic university boasts a 2,000-acre campus with more than 19 historic academic buildings, residence halls, churches, and world-class modern sports and performance facilities.
This is one of the cheapest universities in Florida for international students, with an impressive 88% graduation rate. You can be confident that the University of Florida will put you on the path to success in your education, degree, and career. It has a relatively low acceptance rate of 36.3% and is ranked the 143rd Best University in the World by World University Rankings 2018.
Cost to attend
International students (out-of-state residents) are charged a total cost of $42,348, which is reasonably decent. Tuition is $25,694, while room and board is $9,910, books and supplies are $1,210, and other fees come in at $3,630.
Dear Sir,
I recently saw this information and I am interested in it, I got 4admission into university and college in New Zealand and Canada , but due to found I couldn’t meet up , I have to resume with September 2023 intake at Centennial college Ontario and Auckland University in New Zealand, the last one is in Flemming college
Please help, I need your advice and support
Congratulations on your four college and university admissions! It is an amazing achievement to have achieved so much at just a young age.
Making the decision to attend college or university can feel overwhelming. There are many factors to consider when making decisions about which program to select, from location to size of the institution, cost and quality of the education, and available support services. However, you should also be aware that it is not uncommon for students in your situation to defer enrollment until they are ready – academically, financially, emotionally and mentally.
When deciding whether or not deferring enrollment is right for you, it’s important that you think through all potential scenarios – both those involving immediate enrollment and those involving deferred enrolment into college or university programs next year or in 2023. A few things you may want to consider include:
Evaluating exactly what tuition costs will look like when enrolling now versus next year/in 2023;
Assessing if the new school year would provide more time for preparation;
Estimating how much time could be saved between now and then by committing yourself fully preparing for studies ahead;
Analyzing current academic performance levels with possible future improvements by taking extra courses before beginning your studies formally;
Thinking about employment opportunities potentially available during gap years between high school graduation & attending university/college (this could include internships /research experience);
Moreover, some universities also provide student counseling services where students can discuss any anxieties related to their situation with trained professionals who understand challenges faced by international students like yourself and guide them in their decisions keeping all these factors in mind— because ultimately choosing the right institution involves a combination of personal preferences & logical planning . Good luck!
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