As I delve into searching for accredited MBA programs in Florida, the prospect of combining academic growth with the allure of coastal living is undeniably enticing. Exploring institutions in this vibrant state, known for its sunny beaches and exciting lifestyle, adds a different dimension to my quest for higher education.

The idea of studying against the backdrop of Florida’s coastal charm enhances not only the academic appeal but also promises a unique and cool living experience that complements my educational aspirations.

Are you also looking for the best MBA programs in Florida? Let’s go on this journey together! I’ve started by paving the way for us both with my research into this state’s MBA opportunities.

Florida’s Welcome Business Climate

Famous for its beautiful beaches and seemingly endless sunny days, Florida offers something for everyone, whether it is a vibrant cultural experience, gastronomic delights, or breathtaking attractions. Compared to other US states, Florida has a relatively affordable cost of living.

Work opportunities are abundant in Florida in a variety of fields, ranging from the technology and film industry to the aerospace and defense industries. The state also houses more than 10 Fortune 500 companies, making it a good destination if one is looking for a job or seeking career advancement.

Furthermore, Florida offers a welcome business climate through its tax-friendly policies, highly competitive rates and incentives, and a wide range of economic development opportunities. The state does not have personal income tax and the corporate tax rate is just around 5.5%. The latter attracts start-up businesses especially. Florida is also home to a large workforce, ranked third in the country.

For those who consider moving to Florida to pursue higher education, the state is one of the best choices in the country for the numerous education opportunities it offers. Florida features dozens of public schools, universities, and technical institutes, making sure that there is something for everyone.

Higher learning institutions in the Sunshine State enroll millions of students across numerous universities and colleges. This includes the University of Florida, the University of Miami, Florida State University, and the University of South Florida.

Top 15 MBA Programs in Florida

Many of these higher learning institutions offer MBA programs under their business schools, providing students in Florida and beyond ample opportunities to further their education and advance their careers. Begin your explorations!

Warrington College of Business – University of Florida

As one of the top public universities in Florida, the University of Florida is home to more than 50,000 students. It delivers at least 300 academic programs across various disciplines. Since 1853, the university has been a primary driver of innovation, making it a world-class destination for students, scholars, and innovators alike.

The university is composed of 16 academic colleges. It includes the Warrington College of Business, considered the birthplace of forward-thinking business leaders. Under its wing, the college houses the Heavener School of Business, Fisher School of Accounting, and Hough Graduate School of Business.

The University of Florida offers an MBA program that aims to shape and influence the professional development of future business leaders in Florida and beyond.

The Warrington College of Business offers four MBA degree options:

The University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business showcases MBA programs designed for different student needs and career goals, providing them with resources to fulfill their potential as future business leaders.

High-ranking business leaders may want to pursue the Executive MBA option with its management-focused curriculum. For those with diverse academic and professional backgrounds who seek deeper immersion, the full-time MBA program is an ideal choice. There is also the online MBA option for those who need to juggle their work, life, and school commitments. It was designed with working professionals in mind as students will be able to complete the courses at their own pace without having to fully commit to on-campus classes.

The stellar MBA program curriculum was developed by highly respected faculty who were also instrumental in lifting the Warrington College of Business to prominence. Students can also expect exceptional career development opportunities from the university to help them achieve their dream jobs more effectively.

Muma College of Business – University of South Florida

The University of Florida has been committed to empowering students to maximize their potential through quality education since 1956. It is spread out across three campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. Currently, the university serves more than 50,000 students enrolled across undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees.

The university houses a total of 14 colleges, including Arts and Sciences, Behavioral and Community Sciences, Business, and Education, among others. This includes the Muma College of Business where an MBA program is offered, including a Professional MBA and Online MBA.

Business students at the University of Florida get to have a well-rounded education as they explore the world as part of their educational experience. This is where they have the opportunity to take part in summer study-abroad excursions and semester-long exchange programs.

There are six concentrations to choose from in Muma College of Business’ MBA program:

Compliance, risk and anti-money laundering
Blue Economy
Cybersecurity
Data Analytics
Finance
Healthcare Analytics

The Muma College of Business has an accreditation from AACSB.

The rigorous MBA program at the University of Florida’s Muma College of Business seeks to help students develop skills and creative abilities in preparation for solving today’s business challenges and becoming tomorrow’s workplace forerunners. Students have the choice of whether to enroll full-time and finish the program in one year or enjoy the flexibility of part-time enrollment, allowing them to complete the program in two to three years.

Since the MBA program is not designed to be one-size-fits-all, students are allowed to customize their learning according to their career aspirations. They can choose among six optional concentrations or they can work with an advisor in curating electives aligned to their career goals.

The MBA program at Muma College of Business is designed by an experienced faculty together with instructional designers who are experts in the latest technologies and best practices in online learning. Students are guaranteed a nationally recognized curriculum with dynamic courses and skillsets that are readily applicable in the business industry.

While the MBA program is widely available across the University of Florida’s various campuses, students may also opt to pursue the online option. The online, asynchronous courses aid busy working professionals in balancing their personal and professional demands. Online students who get to visit any University of Florida campuses will get access to resources available to traditional students.

Miami Herbert Business School – University of Miami

One of the country’s top research universities, the University of Miami caters to more than 19,000 students worldwide. Founded in 1925, it continues to transform lives through quality education, research, and innovation.

At present, the university is home to 12 schools and colleges offering almost 350 majors and programs. It includes the Miami Herbert Business School, which was established in 1929. The school is known for its leadership in global perspective and diverse students and faculty. It has an accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

To help prepare students to excel as future leaders in the complex and dynamic world of international business, various graduate programs are made available to interested students.

The Miami Herbert Business School provides a range of MBA program options for graduate students:

The Miami Herbert Business School is AACSB-accredited.

The MBA programs on offer at Miami Herbert Business School are designed to help students launch pad their successful business careers, allowing them to acquire advanced leadership skills.

The different program options are tailored to cater to students’ unique needs. Busy working professionals may choose the online MBA program as it will let them pursue an advanced education without having to put their careers on hold. The full-time MBA program is ideal for those who prefer hands-on opportunities and gain an executive’s perspective with skills integral to important decision-making requirements for leadership roles. An accelerated MBA is also available, providing business fundamental and leadership skills in just seven months.

The University of Miami’s comprehensive MBA programs also feature world-class faculty, innovative curriculum, and various hands-on experiences, ensuring the quality of the graduate program for aspiring students. This puts graduates of the MBA programs in a good position to become principled and innovative business leaders in the modern world.

Crummer Graduate School of Business – Rollins College

Crummer Graduate Schools of Business – Rollins College

Crummer Graduate Schools of Business Program Page

Established more than 135 years ago, Rollins College still remained committed to preparing generations of leaders to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It is known for its innovative curriculum and uncommon commitment to applied learning and mentorship.

Rollis houses the Crummer Graduate School of Business. This school provides students plenty of opportunities to develop skills and knowledge integral to business with its master’s and doctorate degrees. Business students can expect to acquire a high-quality, integrated education that will help them influence organizations and communities.

The graduate school is conveniently located at the heart of a thriving business community, which means students will be able to easily take their business career to the next level with big companies and high-wage jobs at their disposal.

The Crummer Graduate Schools of Business offers several MBA program options to graduate students:

The Crummer Graduate Schools for Business emphasizes the importance of providing highly personal and transformational learning experiences. Its master’s programs feature small class sizes, cohort structure, tailored course content, and accessible faculty.

The MBA programs offered at Crummer Graduate Schools of Business do not only provide students with impressive credentials to advance their careers. They also have transformative knowledge about the complex world of business. They are equipped with essential skills, resources, and connections to help them become successful business leaders.

Students will learn from the best, with a world-class faculty who are distinguished leaders in their respective fields. Graduates of MBA programs at Rollins College will be able to create lifelong connections, allowing them to become a part of the 7,000-strong Crummer Alumni Association.

College of Business – Florida State University

Florida State University is one of the country’s elite research universities. It is located in a community where diversity is embraced and a sense of community is fostered. The university is one of the oldest in the state. Currently, it is serving more than 44,000 students.

The university is home to the College of Business, one of the youngest business schools in the country. The business faculty members are recognized for their expertise and valuable experience in the field. The school offers MBA programs with a rigorous curriculum and strong classroom experience.

MBA students are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience outside the classroom through taking part in professional organizations, competitors and industry-specific career fairs, and corporate trips.

The Florida State College of Business offers MBA programs in different specializations, including the following:

Business Analytics
Finance
Healthcare Management
Human Resources
Management Information Systems
Marketing
Real Estate
Risk Management and Insurance
Supply Chain Management

The College of Business at Florida State University has an accreditation from AACSB.

Students who wish to advance in today’s fast-paced business world may want to consider choosing among various MBA program formats offered at the College of Business. This includes a full-time, accelerated MBA program for those who want to earn the degree faster. Working professionals who need flexibility in juggling their professional and personal demands with their pursuit of an advanced education may choose among the part-time and online options.

The MBA programs can be customized according to students’ career goals. They will be able to choose from a wide range of specializations, allowing them to build their expertise in a specific subject area. Students select 9 credit hours of electives to gain their specialization.

The MBA programs are graced by renowned faculty members whose expertise and experience can highly benefit graduate students. The latter can also take advantage of an innovative curriculum that meets employer needs and join a strong alumni network where they can build connections.

College of Business – University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida encompasses 13 colleges, including Arts and Humanities, Medicine, Nursing, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, and the College of Business, among others. Between these colleges, a total of 240 degree programs are on offer.

The university ensures the quality of education it provides by signing up award-winning faculty. It also demonstrated groundbreaking research that makes it one of the country’s most innovative universities.

The College of Business showcases a vibrant culture of collaboration. Students will be able to form valuable connections through the university’s distinguished faculty and researchers, corporate partners, and inventive alumni. At present, there are more than 15 degree programs on offer at the College of Business, fostering entrepreneurial activity and preparing students to succeed in a rapidly changing economy. One such program is an MBA.

The UCF College of Business allows students to choose among several MBA program options:

The MBA programs at CFU’s College of Business have an accreditation from AACSB.

The University of Central Florida’s MBA programs are known for their rigorous curriculum, equipping students with advanced skills and strong leadership abilities integral to the world of business. Students can expect to find coursework that is a blend of quantitative and qualitative, with a strong focus on helping them develop collaboration and strategic thinking skills.

To help students choose the right MBA that aligns with their professional goals, three MBA options are made available.

The Executive MBA is specifically designed with mid to senior-level professionals in mind. It has a leadership-focused curriculum that features cross-functional business knowledge and theories and principles applicable to real-world situations.
The Evening MBA is most suitable for those who want to complete the graduate degree at their own pace. This part-time program offers flexibility that allows working professionals to continue their careers while pursuing an advanced education.
The Professional MBA is a limited enrollment program with an innovative curriculum and is offered in a full-time and a part-time format.

The applicable curriculum means students will be able to readily apply what they have learned in the classroom to their work, lending a wealth of benefits to their organizations.

College of Business – Florida International University

Florida International University in Miami offers various academic programs across all degree levels. This is a public university is home to several colleges and schools, including the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine and Knight Foundation School of Computing, Information Sciences, and the School of Business.

The university has large alumni, numbering around 275,000. MBA graduates from the university are assured of opportunities as they can easily get access to Miami, one of the world’s dynamic global business centers.

The Professional MBA program offered under Florida International University’s College of Business has three scheduling options:

The Florida International University’s MBA programs are designed to help working professionals earn an advanced degree without compromising their careers. In just 16 months, they will be able to earn an MBA. Most of the available MBA options are available on campus with one offering online flexibility.

Students who wish to customize their learning based on their career needs will be able to do so. The MBA programs offer several specialization options. This includes Marketing Channel Strategy, Strategic Negotiations, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Business Analytics, and Finance & International Business.

The focus of the MBA lies in equipping students with the means to develop essential skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and communication – all of which are indispensable in today’s business world.

Barney Barnett School of Business – Florida Southern College

With a thriving residential campus life, Florida Southern College offers students the best of both worlds. It focuses on providing outstanding academic programs and engaged learning opportunities to students.

The university offers a comprehensive MBA program under the renowned Barney Barnett School of Business and Free Enterprise. It showcases industry-expert faculty who ensure a rigorous curriculum is delivered through engaged, high-impact learning.

Florida South College’s MBA program offers different concentration options:

Florida Southern College offers MBA programs designed to equip students with a competitive edge in the global marketplace through an industry-focused curriculum. Offered under the Barney Barnett School of Business, the MBA programs are taught by an industry-expert faculty who impart engaged, high-impact learning.

The MBA programs can be tailored according to student’s professional goals and aspirations through various concentrations. This will help them get a specialized education to help them advance their career in the direction they prefer. These programs are ideal for working professionals, so students can choose between flexible, accelerated formats and part-time formats.

Florida Southern College has a large global alumni network, with many graduates becoming high-profile executives and business leaders working for Fortune 500 companies, such as Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Disney, and GEICO, among others. This means MBA graduates will have access to an expansive network of business professionals across Florida and beyond.

H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship – Nova Southeastern University Florida

A dynamic private university, Nova Southeastern University Florida features an innovative and unique approach to learning. It was established in Lauderdale in 1964.

Nova Southeastern University Florida houses the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship where industry experts teach a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on leadership growth.

The MBA program at H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship offers different learning paths, including the following:

Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship has an accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

At H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business & Entrepreneurship, MBA students can learn from established business leaders and gain real-world experience. The business programs offer flexibility to allow busy professionals to fit the pursuit of advanced education around their hectic schedules. Students can choose between evening, weekend, and online classes to find a balance between their studies and family while still enjoying professional growth.

Students may opt for the fast-track program that can be completed in as few as 11 months. It features courses with a strong focus on business principles. The MBA programs will surely prepare students for the competitive marketplace and give them a strong foundation essential to leadership roles in the field.

For those who want to customize their degree according to their professional goals, several specialization tracks are on offer. This includes Human Resource Management, International Business, Finance, and Marketing, among others.

Coggin College of Business – University of North Florida

Based in Jacksonville, the University of North Florida takes pride in keeping class sizes small to provide individualized attention and countless opportunities for real-world experience. It is home to Coggin College of Business.

Numerous business programs are on offer, including an MBA degree. The college partners with businesses to bring professional expertise as well as experiential learning opportunities to the classroom.

The MBA program at Coggin College of Business offers a total of 11 concentrations:

Accounting
E-business
Construction Management
General Business
Economics and Geography
International Business
Logistics
Management Applications
Marketing
Marketing Analytics
Sports Management

Emphasizing academic excellence, Coggin College of Business makes it a point to design innovative curricula and hire experienced faculty. The MBA program on offer aims to help students develop a general management perspective and intensive graduate-level study in decision sciences, economics, accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

There is also a demonstrated emphasis on policy formulation along with the interrelationships of business disciplines. Students are allowed to gain specialized knowledge by choosing among several concentration options, from construction management and e-business to marketing analytics and sports management.

Coggin College of Business ensures the MBA program provides a strategic global perspective on business while preparing students to pursue leadership roles that will allow them to make a meaningful impact on their work and career.

Nathan M. Bisk College of Business – Florida Institute of Technology

Nathan Bisk College of Business – Florida Institute of Technology

The Florida Institute of Technology, a Melbourne-based private research university, was founded in 1958 as the Brevard College of Engineering, It has since grown to host over 9,500 students in its 130-acre campus and is classified among R2 Doctoral Universities.

Being a STEM Institution, FIT offers a solitary Master’s in Business Administration, MBA program for its graduate degree, along with BA and BS degrees in Business Administration. The MBA program, however, is offered with the following specialization:

International Business

Offered through the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business, FIT’s MBA program is designed on a foundation of core business concepts (accounting, finance, marketing, economics, HR, management, information systems, and organizational behavior), augmented by the use of practical applications, while placing special emphasis on ethics, leadership, and corporate social responsibility.

Given its STEM emphasis and its prime location in the so-called Space Coast, students to FIT’s MBA program gain access to potential internship and employment opportunities in the over 5,000 high-tech corporations, as well as government and military institutions that surround FIT.

Students in the MBA Program can likewise make use of FIT’s Student Business Incubator to launch their internships and gain valuable practical experience. Students’ internship and business practicum experiences at FIT are designed to be comprehensive and take them to a multitude of industries and businesses including NASA, the Kennedy Space Center, Northrop Grumman, Merrill Lynch, and more. These experiences are also designed to help students get their foot in the door in potential future careers.

Sykes College of Business – University of Tampa

The University of Tampa is a private university in the city of Tampa, Florida. It was established back in 1931 as the Tampa Junior College and has grown since then to now offer more than 200 programs of study to its population of around 9,300 students.

The University of Tampa’s MBA program is billed as one of the largest, most established, and most exclusive programs within the state. It is designed to produce students who are strategic thinkers, hallmarks of successful executives. UT’s MBA program is offered through the Sykes College of Business in the following formats:

The Day Program is designed to provide cohorts of students with accelerated completion of their studies, at around as little as 12 months. The Evening Program meanwhile is designed to accommodate students who are working full-time. This format features a more self-paced approach for individual students and can be completed in around 2 years.

The Professional MBA, meanwhile, is a part-time program designed for professionals with at least 5 years of prior work experience, and who are looking to benefit from career advancement. It features coursework oriented toward leadership development and a capstone strategic management project.

The Executive MBA is an AACSB-accredited program emphasizing corporate strategy, leadership, and finance. It is designed to provide working professionals with a collaborative and interdisciplinary approach to leadership, which is crucial to the modern business landscape.

Lastly, students can also take additional courses in a number of concentration areas they can choose from. These concentration areas cover a wide range of fields of discipline and include Accounting, Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Information Systems Management, International Business, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management.

School of Business Administration – Stetson University

Stetson University is a private university in the city of DeLand, Florida. Established in 1883 as the DeLand Academy, it is now a full-fledged university offering over 50 undergraduate and around 18 graduate degree programs and currently has a population of over 4,300 students. Stetson University is Southern Association of Colleges and Schools-recognized.

Stetson University offers a range of MBA program formats designed to develop students into becoming effective decision-makers. It is unique among institutions in this list in that it has partnered with other universities in offering some of its MBA programs, which form part of dual degree programs. Stetson University’s MBA programs are offered via the School of Business Administration in the following tracks/formats:

Standalone Master of Business Administration
JD/MBA (with the Stetson University College of Law)
MBA/MHA (with AdventHealth University)
MS in Pharmacy/MBA (with the University of Florida)

Stetson University’s standalone MBA program is offered both online and in-person and is designed to accommodate those who are fresh from their undergraduate degrees, as well as those who already have work experience. The program is characterized by a rigorous curriculum that blends theory and practice, covering skills and knowledge crucial in both existing and emerging international markets. While the MBA’s online option can be completed within 18 months, Stetson University also offers a Fast Track admission option to well-qualified students who have taken their undergraduate degrees at Stetson.

The JD/MBA dual-degree option, meanwhile, is designed to provide students with career opportunities at the intersection of business and law, with their JD serving as knowledge of the context for managerial activities and the MBA honing their decision-making skills.

The two other MBA formats, meanwhile, are offered in partnership with other universities and dwell largely in the health sciences & the healthcare industry. The MBA/MHA program is designed to develop students’ budgetary, staff management, and quality assurance skills that are crucial to the industry’s projected near-term growth. The MS in Pharmacy/MBA program is offered as a concurrent program with the University of Florida. It is designed to be completed in less than three years, with the program being offered primarily online.

College of Business – Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is a public research university in the city of Boca Raton, Florida. A member of the State University System of Florida, it was first established in 1961 and took in 867 students for its pioneering batch. It has since grown to become one of the state’s major public institutions, with its 850-acre campus hosting over 30,000 students in 10 colleges and schools. FAU also has satellite campuses in five other locations across the state.

In addition to their Traditional MBA, Florida Atlantic University also offers their AACSB-accredited MBA through the College of Business in the following tracks/formats:

The Traditional MBA Program is designed with both recent graduates and early career starters in mind in order to prepare them with the leadership and advanced managerial skills needed in their future/recently launched careers. It can be completed either full- (24 months) or part-time (36 months).

The Online MBA, meanwhile, is recommended for those who already have at least four years of Work Experience and whose continuing in their current career is indispensable. Its coursework is essentially similar to the traditional MBA but delivered 100% asynchronous.

The Professional MBA is a 23-month program offered on weeknights, designed for busy professionals with full-time careers who otherwise prefer the structure of a cohort-based program. The Executive MBA also spans 23 months and is group/cohort-based, featuring a personalized approach that is designed to maximize individual students’ potential to become global business leaders. Students in the Executive MBA have an average work experience of around 12 years.

Lastly, FAU’s MBA in Sport Management takes a dedicated focus on the global sports industry, designed to develop students into practitioner-oriented managers & executives who are backed by a solid knowledge base, professionalism, and ethics. The MBA in Sport Management is offered in either an online or in-person format and makes heavy use of internships & employment in a particular sports industry.

College of Business – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is a private university with campuses currently in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona. It was first founded in 1926 gained university status in 1968, and continues to focus mainly on programs related to the aviation and aerospace industries.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University occupies a unique place in this list as an institution highly focused on the ins and outs of the aviation and aerospace industries. Given this scope, the MBA programs offered by the College of Business with the following tracks:

Both of ERAU’s MBA programs contain foundational business knowledge common to all industries but focus on the realities, needs, and challenges of the aviation and aerospace industries. Both these programs are, in turn, designed to prepare students for leadership careers within the two industries, in the country’s leading companies such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Delta Airlines, and more.

The MBA in Aviation Management’s curriculum is orientated toward preparing students with strategic decision-making skills, while the MBA in Aviation is designed to provide a High-Reliability Organization (HRO) foundation crucial to the complex and high-risk environments of the aviation and aerospace industries. ERAU’s MBA programs are highly regarded, with a claimed 96% of graduates finding job placement within a year after graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the major industries in Florida that MBA students can potentially be part of?

Florida is a large state both physically and economically. It serves as an economic hub not only of the south and of the Gulf, but also as a gateway to the Caribbean, and even the countries in South America, and hosts a large multicultural population to boot.

Florida is known largely for its engineering and tech industries that largely revolve around the US Space Program. Still, it also hosts a significant portion of the country’s defense industry, as well as manufacturing and logistics. Florida also has a significant share of the country’s IT and service industries and is known for its tourism industry as well.

I just graduated with my bachelor’s degree in business. Should I jump into an MBA straightaway?

Many graduate degree programs have an unwritten rule: namely, that industry experience helps a lot in a student’s progress through their coursework. This shouldn’t necessarily be the case with MBAs, however. Depending on the university that offers them, MBA programs in Florida are varied, with some tracks/formats designed for seasoned professionals, and some other programs designed with fresh graduates in mind, in order to get their feet wet with the business industry.

Universities typically readily advertise which formats/tracks they offer are designed for which students and they will be more than willing to help you out with any questions regarding specifics.

I’m from a non-business background and am looking to get a graduate degree. Should I go for an MBA or a graduate degree specific to my field, like an MS or an MA?

This would largely depend on your intended career goals. MBAs are more or less designed to be generalist degrees that hone students’ skills in practical decision-making, management, and leadership skills, with many MBAs delving deeper into specific industries through certain Specialization areas.

Discipline-specific graduate degrees, meanwhile, are either designed to develop students’ skills and advanced practice in a specific discipline (as professional graduate degrees), or in some fields, prepare students to eventually earn a PhD and take on academic or scholarly work.

Before you go, see the following: