What Can You Do With an MBA in Florida
Florida is a state ripe with opportunities. The corporate world is welcoming and supportive of innovation and expansion. That’s why you’ll be hard-pressed to choose a better place in which to pursue your professional MBA online. When you graduate, there will be many in-state jobs available at top firms in various areas, enterprises that are blazing trails for how 21st Century business is done.
Those who earn an MBA in Florida soon see a world of opportunity open before their eyes. More employers are eager to hire them, clients put more faith in their credentials, and bank loans may be easier for those inclined to entrepreneurship. An MBA offers students the opportunity to pursue concentrations that have specific applications in their work. For instance, a Florida MBA graduate might choose supply chain management for their concentration. This specialization can help them work with import/export companies in Miami and elsewhere. Others might focus on finance, marketing, or human resources. Each of these allows MBA degree holders to delve deeper into their chosen niche field.
Featured Online Programs
Top 25 Best MBA Programs in Florida
University of Florida
Score: 92.29
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $10,770
- Out-of-State:$27,335
- Net Price: $11,740
- Acceptance Rate: 23%
- Retention Rate: 97%
- Graduation Rate: 90%
- Total Enrollment: 55,211
- Undergrad Students: 34,552
- Graduate Students: 20,659
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 16:1
Florida State University
Score: 85.58
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,684
- Out-of-State:$24,116
- Net Price: $14,003
- Acceptance Rate: 25%
- Retention Rate: 94%
- Graduation Rate: 85%
- Total Enrollment: 44,161
- Undergrad Students: 32,936
- Graduate Students: 11,225
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
University of South Florida
Score: 82.65
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,350
- Out-of-State:$19,048
- Net Price: $11,004
- Acceptance Rate: 44%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 74%
- Total Enrollment: 49,600
- Undergrad Students: 38,047
- Graduate Students: 11,553
- Grads Salary: $73,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
University of Central Florida
Score: 80.77
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,916
- Out-of-State:$25,759
- Net Price: $13,108
- Acceptance Rate: 41%
- Retention Rate: 93%
- Graduation Rate: 76%
- Total Enrollment: 68,346
- Undergrad Students: 58,662
- Graduate Students: 9,684
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 29:1
Florida A&M University
Score: 80.72
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,019
- Out-of-State:$22,108
- Net Price: $11,583
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Retention Rate: 90%
- Graduation Rate: 60%
- Total Enrollment: 9,215
- Undergrad Students: 7,709
- Graduate Students: 1,506
- Grads Salary: $74,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Florida International University
Score: 79.49
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State:$21,600
- Net Price: $9,881
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Retention Rate: 91%
- Graduation Rate: 69%
- Total Enrollment: 55,609
- Undergrad Students: 45,688
- Graduate Students: 9,921
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 24:1
University of Miami
Score: 78.57
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $43,578
- Out-of-State:$43,578
- Net Price: $36,467
- Acceptance Rate: 19%
- Retention Rate: 92%
- Graduation Rate: 84%
- Total Enrollment: 19,402
- Undergrad Students: 12,504
- Graduate Students: 6,898
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
University of North Florida
Score: 76.3
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,570
- Out-of-State:$19,585
- Net Price: $11,338
- Acceptance Rate: 71%
- Retention Rate: 80%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 16,406
- Undergrad Students: 14,171
- Graduate Students: 2,235
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 19:1
Florida Atlantic University
Score: 75.86
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,467
- Out-of-State:$16,695
- Net Price: $9,711
- Acceptance Rate: 81%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 29,592
- Undergrad Students: 24,191
- Graduate Students: 5,401
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
The University of West Florida
Score: 74.53
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,088
- Out-of-State:$22,166
- Net Price: $8,609
- Acceptance Rate: 48%
- Retention Rate: 85%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 13,521
- Undergrad Students: 9,291
- Graduate Students: 4,230
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 22:1
Florida Gulf Coast University
Score: 71.55
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,974
- Out-of-State:$28,170
- Net Price: $10,834
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 59%
- Total Enrollment: 15,969
- Undergrad Students: 14,130
- Graduate Students: 1,839
- Grads Salary: $63,000
- Student-to-faculty: 20:1
Rollins College
Score: 71.15
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $25,600
- Out-of-State:$25,600
- Net Price: $35,317
- Acceptance Rate: 50%
- Retention Rate: 86%
- Graduation Rate: 78%
- Total Enrollment: 3,029
- Undergrad Students: 2,583
- Graduate Students: 446
- Grads Salary: $70,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach
Score: 71.05
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,340
- Out-of-State:$20,340
- Net Price: $38,983
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 82%
- Graduation Rate: 63%
- Total Enrollment: 10,301
- Undergrad Students: 9,533
- Graduate Students: 768
- Grads Salary: $88,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Nova Southeastern University
Score: 70.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,890
- Out-of-State:$22,890
- Net Price: $29,589
- Acceptance Rate: 76%
- Retention Rate: 78%
- Graduation Rate: 62%
- Total Enrollment: 20,948
- Undergrad Students: 6,971
- Graduate Students: 13,977
- Grads Salary: $80,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Albizu University-Miami
Score: 69.89
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,112
- Out-of-State:$13,112
- Net Price: $28,273
- Acceptance Rate: 89%
- Retention Rate: 67%
- Graduation Rate: 67%
- Total Enrollment: 864
- Undergrad Students: 217
- Graduate Students: 647
- Grads Salary: $77,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Florida Southern College
Score: 68.3
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,230
- Out-of-State:$18,230
- Net Price: $27,324
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Retention Rate: 77%
- Graduation Rate: 68%
- Total Enrollment: 3,281
- Undergrad Students: 2,721
- Graduate Students: 560
- Grads Salary: $65,000
- Student-to-faculty: 14:1
Jacksonville University
Score: 68
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,577
- Out-of-State:$18,577
- Net Price: $26,943
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Retention Rate: 63%
- Graduation Rate: 53%
- Total Enrollment: 3,837
- Undergrad Students: 2,563
- Graduate Students: 1,274
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 13:1
Stetson University
Score: 67.92
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,586
- Out-of-State:$17,586
- Net Price: $25,756
- Acceptance Rate: 94%
- Retention Rate: 68%
- Graduation Rate: 64%
- Total Enrollment: 3,928
- Undergrad Students: 2,561
- Graduate Students: 1,367
- Grads Salary: $71,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Barry University
Score: 67.66
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $17,820
- Out-of-State:$17,820
- Net Price: $20,207
- Acceptance Rate: 60%
- Retention Rate: 56%
- Graduation Rate: 39%
- Total Enrollment: 6,958
- Undergrad Students: 3,122
- Graduate Students: 3,836
- Grads Salary: $78,000
- Student-to-faculty: 12:1
The University of Tampa
Score: 67.38
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,762
- Out-of-State:$12,762
- Net Price: $34,653
- Acceptance Rate: 26%
- Retention Rate: 81%
- Graduation Rate: 66%
- Total Enrollment: 10,566
- Undergrad Students: 9,602
- Graduate Students: 964
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
Saint Leo University
Score: 67.17
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,840
- Out-of-State:$15,840
- Net Price: $20,390
- Acceptance Rate: 80%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 49%
- Total Enrollment: 10,242
- Undergrad Students: 7,320
- Graduate Students: 2,922
- Grads Salary: $76,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Everglades University
Score: 65.84
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,768
- Out-of-State:$20,768
- Net Price: $26,561
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 75%
- Graduation Rate: 58%
- Total Enrollment: 2,624
- Undergrad Students: 2,246
- Graduate Students: 378
- Grads Salary: $68,000
- Student-to-faculty: 17:1
St. Thomas University
Score: 63.61
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,850
- Out-of-State:$14,850
- Net Price: $28,654
- Acceptance Rate: 65%
- Retention Rate: 53%
- Graduation Rate: 43%
- Total Enrollment: 6,370
- Undergrad Students: 3,950
- Graduate Students: 2,420
- Grads Salary: $79,000
- Student-to-faculty: 18:1
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Score: 63.29
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,007
- Out-of-State:$11,007
- Net Price: $30,276
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Retention Rate: 76%
- Graduation Rate: 56%
- Total Enrollment: 3,828
- Undergrad Students: 3,027
- Graduate Students: 801
- Grads Salary: $69,000
- Student-to-faculty: 11:1
Florida Memorial University
Score: 62.21
- Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $14,274
- Out-of-State:$14,274
- Net Price: $16,359
- Acceptance Rate: 70%
- Retention Rate: 54%
- Graduation Rate: 35%
- Total Enrollment: 1,137
- Undergrad Students: 1,098
- Graduate Students: 39
- Grads Salary: $67,000
- Student-to-faculty: 15:1
Why Consider an Online MBA?
While any MBA is a great degree to hold, Florida's professionals are looking for more flexibility in how they pursue that degree. For years, MBA degree programs have offered alternative, flexible scheduling for working students. Those programs often offered night and weekend classes so that students could still get their work done while they continued to excel in their career. Now, there are an expanding number of online MBA programs that allow even more flexibility. Not only can students access course materials at any point in their day, but they can also attend programs that were once geographically impossible. Thus, students in, say Panama City Beach can attend an online MBA degree program in Tampa, Orlando, or Miami without having to leave their home office.
As for the credibility of their credentials, online MBA degrees carry all the same weight as their traditional counterparts. The most important part of a degree program remains its accreditation. This is because, whether online or not, programs that have sound, reputable accreditation must all meet the same criteria. In fact, many online MBA programs have been accredited by national agencies such as AACSB, ACBSP, and IACBE. Furthermore, when it comes to an MBA degree, the proof is in the pudding. When online MBA students graduate, they must still perform well in their jobs, and outcomes from online programs have been shown to be on par with their traditional counterparts. Employers are not likely to care too much where their star employees took their classes when profit margins begin to rise.
Percentage of Students Enrolled By Distance Education
Typical MBA Concentrations
An MBA concentration is a vital part of the master's degree process. While the first year or so of an MBA degree program is filled with advanced coursework into general business functions, the latter part of the degree is spent focusing on a specific area. After all, graduate students should seek to master one specific thing during their time in a graduate business program. Thus, students are able to elevate their general business knowledge to the graduate level and then they expand their knowledge with a deep dive into one specific part of business.
In Florida, MBA students concentrate in many popular areas. One popular MBA concentration in Florida is healthcare and healthcare administration. The state is full of elder care facilities that need astute management and administration. Florida's healthcare industry is otherwise booming, as it is nationwide. Thus, many Florida MBA student concentrate in healthcare finance, marketing, and accounting.
Other popular Florida MBA concentrations include areas such as hospitality management, finance, supply chain management, and marketing, to name a few. Since Florida's economy is so reliant on tourism, hospitality is especially relevant. Students who concentrate in this area can help manage and build on Florida's success in terms of tourism and hospitality.
Best MBA Concentration Rankings:
Accreditation in Florida
Once you have found an MBA program that provides the concentration you’d like, check to see that they are fully accredited. Accreditation is a formality that is easy to overlook in the excitement that broadening horizons bring. However, it is an issue that can make or break your long-term success. That is, if you complete a program without these credentials, your potential employers might not be as impressed with your degree. Then, if you decide to continue with your education or desire to transfer to a different program, you might have trouble getting your credits validated by another institution. Those without accreditation also do not receive the support of federal financial aid, no matter how high their academics, faculty, or staff may otherwise be ranked.
One of the top accrediting agencies is the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Their stamp of approval is considered the gold standard and it ensures that your level of learning will be in the top 20% of all business students worldwide. However, if your desired program is not AACSB accredited, make sure that they are certified by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, or the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.
Concurrent Degree Programs
You may find that some programs may have a policy on offering concurrent degrees. For instance, you might be able to graduate with a law degree alongside your MBA – the JD/MBA. Other programs combine business with disciplines such as engineering or computer science. Those are perfect if you have previous training in those fields and thus have a foundation for further education.
There are many advantages to pursuing a concurrent degree. You can not only expand on existing technical knowledge, but you can gain another area of expertise. One of the more popular concurrent degree choices is the JD/MBA, which might be perfect if your undergraduate degree is in business or the humanities. With that degree, you can go on to pass the bar exam and work with top-level financiers, or you could work for a top financial firm with the legal acumen it takes to navigate applicable legal statutes.
Keep in mind that you may have to apply to two departments at once, and that might mean taking two entrance exams. For a concurrent JD/MBA, for example, you might need both GMAT and LSAT scores to ensure that you can pursue the degree you desire. Additionally, these dual degree programs often require that you attend full-time and you may need to request a year or more off from work while you study. They are intense programs that contain the full content of the usual degrees, which you’ll learn at an accelerated rate. Completion of these programs takes around three years from admission, on average.
Scheduling
You may be considering an online degree because it would be easy to fit into your life. You don’t have to skip work and aren’t tied to restrictive deadlines for your assignments. However, some programs do have requirements that end up making you visit their website during specific hours. These synchronous programs will have streaming lectures and scheduled chatrooms where you must be in attendance. While that is less common these days, make sure that your program is asynchronous, and will thus allow you to log in whenever you want to download class videos, audio clips, or other materials at your leisure from anywhere in the U.S.
A part-time MBA program allows you plenty of time to work in the office and care for your family, though it takes longer to complete your degree in one of these programs because you earn credit at a slower rate.
Career and Job Outlook for MBA Graduates
Florida's economy is vibrant, diverse, and growing. Their top employers represent industries such as education, entertainment, government, and the military. Outside of specific employers, Florida is well-known for its tourism and hospitality, agriculture, and healthcare concerns. Each of these industries need top business minds to help them provide solutions for today and for the future. The following is a list of the top employers in the state of Florida. Note that each relies on a series of suppliers, consultants, and other concerns if they are to maintain their current dominant status in Florida's economy.
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Top Employers in the State by Number of Employees
Company | Industry | Headquarters City | Number of Employees |
---|---|---|---|
Walt Disney World | Entertainment | Orlando | 62,000 |
Miami-Dade County Public Schools | Education | Miami | 54,300 |
Miami-Dade County Government | Government | Miami | 32,200 |
Hillsborough County Public Schools | Education | Tampa | 25,400 |
Naval Air Station Jacksonville | Military | Jacksonville | 23,000 |
Careers and Salaries for MBA Graduates in Florida
It may seem obvious that earning an MBA can result in increased earnings, promotions, and an overall fruitful life, but statistics back up that assumption. While any level of education is valuable and can yield terrific outcomes, as one increases their educational credentials, they also elevate their status in the business community. Students who enter the business world with an associate degree will face limited opportunity until they complete a bachelor’s degree. Then they can finally fulfill their C-suite dreams when they graduate with an MBA.
Careers for Florida MBA Grads
- Logistician:
This career path follows from an MBA concentration in supply chain management. These professionals help ensure that packages, including large shipments, make it from their origin to their destination. Since Miami is an international port, this job type is in high demand. - Marketing Manager:
Every product and service needs a strong marketing team behind it to make sure that it has the most success in the marketplace. Marketing managers work to analyze market data, organize a creative team, and roll out marketing campaigns that result in increased revenues for their firms. - Financial Officer:
To reach the upper levels of finance, an MBA is of vital importance. Financial officers help their firms manage assets, debts, and even place investment capital in the right places. Financial professionals might also work with individuals who need consultation regarding wealth management and growth. - Investment Banker:
While the primary hubs for this profession are found in New York, Chicago, and Boston, Florida has its fair share of investment banking firms. Professionals might start out in this industry with a bachelor’s degree and a two-year stint as a financial analyst, an MBA is required for those who wish to rise into a position as an associate, vice president, or director. - Hedge Fund Executive:
Much like their fellows in investment banking, hedge fund professionals need an MBA to really thrive. After all, their clients are often making high six-figure and even seven figure capital investments with these funds. Those clients need to know that only the most educated business minds are there to manage their wealth.
How to Choose & FAQ's
It is of vital importance that you search well and choose the best online MBA in Florida for you. Specifically, it’s important to find one that fits your career goals. Just because a program has high ratings in a magazine or other media doesn’t mean that it has the best available education for you.
Before you make a decision, you’ll want to take into consideration a program’s available concentrations. Nearly every MBA program will consist of a set of core courses that will allow you to master the fundamentals such as marketing, finance, and accounting, to name a few. Once you’ve completed this main curriculum, you can choose a specialization.
MBA specializations can include, but are not limited to the following:
- Hospitality
- International Business
- Supply Chain Management
- Sports Management
- Entertainment
- Operations Management
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I still work while studying for an MBA?
Yes. In fact, it’s very common for MBA students to simultaneously continue working for top Florida businesses. If there's an MBA program in their local area, students often take night and weekend classes. For those who live farther away, online options are plentiful and growing. - Will my Florida MBA still be as potent if I move very far away?
Yes. Florida's MBA offerings are outstanding and are well respected nationwide. However, consider the program's accreditation if you intend on moving out of the Southeast. Programs with national credentials may be more effective elsewhere than those with regional accreditation.