B-School Search
While to many Florida may seem like a place full of retirees, hurricanes, and beaches, it is actually a thriving state with a strong workforce and economy. Florida is ranked the 10th best state in the country, and the eighth-best economy, by US News and World Report. The pro-business climate with a streamlined regulatory environment along with zero personal income tax make this an attractive state to start and grow a business.
With over 100 million visitors a year, it is no surprise that tourism is one of the top industries. However, other strong markets in Florida are cleantech, defense, financial and professional services, life science, and manufacturing. There are 18 companies on the Forbes 500 lists that have made Florida their headquarters including Publix, World Fuel Services, and MasTec.
Because of the favorable tax laws in Florida, this state is considered a strong alternative to high-cost tech-centric states such as California. According to Enterprise Florida, the costs of labor, capital, and land are lower than in many other locations. Founders of companies will also find the permitting process to be predictable and less costly.
Earning an MBA is a good investment in any economic climate, with the average MBA graduate earning $87,966 per year, according to US News & World Report. This salary is $29,000 per year higher than graduates of a bachelor’s in business program. Online MBA programs allow students to access a first-class graduate-level education from practically anywhere in the world, but their wide proliferation in recent years means that students can now select an online program situated in a geographic area of interest.
Some online programs offer optional or mandatory residency sessions, where students can come to campus to meet with faculty and peers. And even if a program is fully online, having access to professors, alumni networks, and partnered businesses in a desirable state, such as Florida, has its benefits.
If you’re looking for a sunny business climate for your online MBA, check out some of the Florida programs below, and get to know three of their faculty members who will help you connect to the state of Florida’s business economy before you even step foot in the state.
Featured Online MBA Programs in Florida
Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business offers a relatively affordable 100 percent online MBA, which can be taken in an accelerated one-year program or in a longer, more traditional duration.
This program features six eight-week sessions annually, where students learn topics such as efficient resource management, economic optimization, business ethics, profit analysis, global business environments, micro- and macro-economic factors in decision making, and organizational behavior, among other foundational topics. Students can opt for an MBA concentration in management, which focuses on developing additional leadership competencies among graduates.
Another option is the school’s online dual-degree program, where graduates can simultaneously pursue an MBA and a master of science in business analytics (MSABA).
To qualify for these programs, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited program with a competitive GPA (at least 3.0) and three years of applicable work experience. GMAT/GRE scores may be requested if the above criteria are not met.
| Location: Jacksonville, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 to 24 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $800 per credit |
The U-Online MBA program offers a customizable education that is delivered by the University of Miami’s well-regarded on-campus faculty.
Coursework includes topics such as the fundamentals of finance, accounting, and economics; foundations of marketing management; management of information systems; essentials of economic theory; financial and managerial accounting; taxation; statistical accounting; and international investments. If they wish, students may choose to specialize in corporate finance, financial decision-making, or accounting practice.
The program consists of 42 to 51 credits, depending upon specialization. Students have the option of attending an on-campus orientation and/or a one-week on-campus residency, but these are not mandatory. GRE or GMAT scores are not required as part of the admissions process.
| Location: Miami, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 20 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $2,213 per credit |
In 1999, UF was one of the first schools to offer a fully accredited MBA program, and today it’s ranked as one of the world’s best by Financial Times and U.S. News & World Report.
Students take courses that include financial accounting, managerial accounting, the economics of business decisions, financial management, organizational behavior, corporate finance, international finance, and global strategic management. Electives include a residency in Gainesville, as well as courses such as the art and science of negotiation, measuring and managing value, marketing analytics, business plan formation, customer analysis, and an introduction to real estate.
All courses are three credits each and taught in five-week modules. The program consists of 48 credits and may be completed entirely online. Applicants should note that GMAT scores are required as a part of the admissions process.
| Location: Gainesville, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 16 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $49,204.80 (total) |
FSU’s online part-time MBA program is ranked 40th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, and its students share that enthusiasm, with 90 percent of recent alumni stating they would recommend the program to a friend or colleague.
Core classes cover areas such as financial reporting and managerial control, the legal and ethical environment of business, problems in financial management, information and technology management, marketing strategy in the global environment, organizational behavior, and operations management.
Electives explore topics like investment management and analysis, B2B marketing, marketing research and analytics, supply chain management, and the fundamentals of risk and insurance. Students may also apply for a specialization in business analytics, real estate, the management of information systems, or risk management and insurance.
The program consists of 39 credits and may be completed entirely online. GMAT scores are required as part of the admissions process but may be waived if an applicant meets certain criteria.
| Location: Tallahassee, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Seven semesters |
| Estimated Tuition: $810.24 per credit |
FIU’s highly ranked professional MBA program is a fast-paced education designed for ambitious professionals, and all Fortune 500 companies are actively recruiting its students.
Core classes cover subjects like competitive strategy, accounting for managers, corporate finance, business analysis for decision making, financial reporting and analysis management of information systems, and organizational behavior. Students may select from eight different specializations: international business, entrepreneurship and innovation, finance, marketing channel strategy, strategic negotiations, business data analytics, real estate, and leadership. It’s possible to add more than one specialization, each of which consists of two classes.
The baseline MBA with a single specialization consists of a total of 42 credits. There are three mandatory professional development sessions that students must attend during the first eight-week term of the program: a work preference indicator assessment, a presentation skills seminar, and a business career management seminar. GMAT and GRE scores are required as part of the admissions process but waived for applicants with more than four years of professional experience.
| Location: Miami, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: Options to graduate in 18, 21, or 33 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $1,000 per credit |
With one of the nation’s highest average salary-to-debt ratios upon graduation, FAU’s MBA program is ranked fifth in the U.S. for student return on investment.
Core coursework includes classes such as financial accounting concepts, corporate financial management, the global environment of management, advanced analysis of accounting data, management of information systems and technology, and operations management. The international business specialization requires students to choose four electives from areas like advanced international monetary economics, global supply chain management, international business operations, cross-cultural management and human resources, managing effectively for emerging market economies, and global marketing management.
The program consists of 40 to 46 credits and may be completed entirely online. GMAT scores are required as part of the admissions process but may be waived with four years of work experience or a previously completed advanced degree.
| Location: Boca Raton, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 23 months |
| Estimated Tuition: $800 per credit ($32,000 to $36,800 total) |
USFSP’s MBA program allows a wide range of customization, from the mix-and-match possibilities of its eight specializations to its online and hybrid formats of course delivery.
Core classes focus on financial statement analysis, managerial analysis, organizational behavior, regulatory and reporting environments, the global business environment, and organizational strategies for the 21st century.
Through their choice of electives, students may specialize in one of several focus tracks: business analytics, corporate social responsibility, finance, forensic accounting, healthcare analytics, information systems management, international business, management, or marketing strategy. Students may add a second specialization through the completion of three extra electives in a given focus track.
The program consists of 36 credits and may be completed entirely online. Applicants should note that GMAT or GRE scores are required as part of the admissions process, but may be waived in certain circumstances.
| Location: St. Petersburg, Florida |
| Accreditation: Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) |
| Expected Time to Completion: At least three semesters, with full-time and part-time options available |
| Estimated Tuition: $497 to $750 per credit |
Hybrid MBA Programs in Florida
Hybrid MBA programs blend online and on-campus learning. Designed for busy professionals who still want to experience face-to-face networking, hands-on experience, and dynamic live settings, hybrid MBAs allow those with full-time jobs to plan their own schedule and still benefit from the in-person aspects of an MBA program. If that sounds like you, check out some of the hybrid MBA programs Florida has to offer below:
