The Best MBA Programs in Florida for 2026
The best MBA programs in Florida are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name. Hakia analyzed 6 business programs in Florida on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes to rank where an MBA actually pays off. In-state tuition among the 6 ranked programs in Florida runs from $3,152 to $42,730 a year, a $39,578 spread for the same credential.
University of Central Florida tops the list with an 89.9 Hakia Score on a 78% graduation rate, at $4,478 a year in-state. Across all 6 ranked schools, the average graduation rate is 45%, ranging from 18% to 78%. The national median pay in the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the same benchmark every ranked school here feeds into regardless of tuition paid.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at every ranked program and what actually separates them: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best MBA Programs in Florida
- University of Central Florida ranks first among Florida's business programs with an 89.9 Hakia Score and a 78% graduation rate.
- In-state tuition across the 6 ranked Florida programs spans $3,152 to $42,730 a year, a $39,578 gap for the same MBA.
- The 6 ranked Florida programs graduate 45% of students on average, from 18% to 78%.
- 2 of the 6 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate drives the lowest cost for Florida residents.
- 3 of the 6 offer a confirmed online option for students who cannot relocate.
- National median pay in the field is $105,770 (BLS), the benchmark every ranked Florida program feeds into regardless of tuition.
Hakia analyzed 6 accredited programs in Florida reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 6 Best MBA Programs in Florida, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | Public | $4,478 | 78% | 40% | 89.9 |
| 2 | Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahassee, FL | Public | $3,152 | 53% | 21% | 80.2 |
| 3 | Lynn UniversityBoca Raton, FL · online option | Nonprofit | $42,730 | 52% | 73% | 70.8 |
| 4 | Barry UniversityMiami, FL | Nonprofit | $33,600 | 38% | 77% | 66.3 |
| 5 | Edward Waters UniversityJacksonville, FL · online option | Nonprofit | $16,124 | 28% | 85% | 60.2 |
| 6 | South University-West Palm BeachRoyal Palm Beach, FL · online option | For-profit | $17,100 | 18% | NR | 55.0 |
NR — not reported by the institution in the latest IPEDS collection.
MBA Programs in Florida, Compared by Score
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
A Closer Look at the Top MBA Programs in Florida
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL · Public
- Grad rate
- 78%
- Admit rate
- 40%
- In-state
- $4,478
- Out-of-state
- $19,810
At $4,478 a year in-state, University of Central Florida is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 89.9 Hakia Score on a 78% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 89.9, #1 of 6
- 78% graduation rate
- $4,478 in-state vs $19,810 out-of-state
- Top graduation rate on this list
University of Central Florida is a public institution in Orlando, FL. Its MBA program ranks #1 of the 6 analyzed here with an 89.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 70.4 group average. The program graduates 78% of its students, above the 45% average across the ranked schools. University of Central Florida admits 40% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%.
On cost, University of Central Florida charges $4,478 a year in-state, roughly 4x the $19,810 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for FL residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
Tallahassee, FL · Public
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 21%
- In-state
- $3,152
- Out-of-state
- $14,524
At $3,152 a year in-state, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 80.2 Hakia Score on a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 80.2, #2 of 6
- 53% graduation rate
- $3,152 in-state vs $14,524 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Based in Tallahassee, FL, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #2 of the 6 ranked here, earning an 80.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 70.4 group average, in the top third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, above the 45% average across the ranked schools. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University admits 21% of applicants, more selective than the 59% average for the group. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%. The university enrolls 9,313 students overall.
On cost, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University charges $3,152 a year in-state, roughly 5x the $14,524 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. The spread makes the program a clearer value for FL residents than for out-of-state students. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 52%
- Admit rate
- 73%
- In-state
- $42,730
- Out-of-state
- $42,730
Lynn University graduates 52% of its students, above the 45% average across this ranking, on a 70.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 70.8, #3 of 6
- 52% graduation rate
- $42,730 tuition
- Online option available
Lynn University is a private, nonprofit institution in Boca Raton, FL. Its MBA program ranks #3 of the 6 analyzed here with a 70.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 70.4 group average, in the middle third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 52% of its students, above the 45% average across the ranked schools. Lynn University admits 73% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,514 students.
On cost, Lynn University charges $42,730 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with an online option.
Barry University
Miami, FL · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 38%
- Admit rate
- 77%
- In-state
- $33,600
- Out-of-state
- $33,600
Barry University ranks #4 of the 6 mba programs in this analysis, with a 66.3 Hakia Score and a 38% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 66.3, #4 of 6
- 38% graduation rate
- $33,600 tuition
- Admits just 77% of applicants
Based in Miami, FL, Barry University is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #4 of the 6 ranked here, earning a 66.3 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the middle third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 38% of its students, below the 45% average across the ranked schools. Barry University admits 77% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%. The university enrolls 6,825 students overall.
On cost, Barry University charges $33,600 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. It earns its place in the top 6 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Edward Waters University
Jacksonville, FL · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 28%
- Admit rate
- 85%
- In-state
- $16,124
- Out-of-state
- $16,124
At $16,124 a year in-state, Edward Waters University is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 60.2 Hakia Score on a 28% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 60.2, #5 of 6
- 28% graduation rate
- $16,124 tuition
- Online option available
Edward Waters University is a private, nonprofit institution in Jacksonville, FL. Its MBA program ranks #5 of the 6 analyzed here with a 60.2 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the lower third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 28% of its students, below the 45% average across the ranked schools. Edward Waters University admits 85% of applicants, less selective than the 59% average for the group. That is more open than the 21% rate at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%.
On cost, Edward Waters University charges $16,124 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
South University-West Palm Beach
Royal Palm Beach, FL · For-profit · online option
- Grad rate
- 18%
- Admit rate
- NR
- In-state
- $17,100
- Out-of-state
- $17,100
South University-West Palm Beach ranks #6 of the 6 mba programs in this analysis, with a 55.0 Hakia Score and an 18% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 55.0, #6 of 6
- 18% graduation rate
- $17,100 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Based in Royal Palm Beach, FL, South University-West Palm Beach is a private, for-profit institution. Its MBA program lands at #6 of the 6 ranked here, earning a 55.0 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 70.4 group average, in the lower third of the 6 ranked programs. The program graduates 18% of its students, below the 45% average across the ranked schools. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 18% to 78%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 433 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, South University-West Palm Beach charges $17,100 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $3,152 at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University to $42,730 at Lynn University. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. Graduates step into a field with a $105,770 national median salary reported by the BLS. That median runs roughly 6x the program's annual in-state tuition. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
What an MBA Costs in Florida
In-state tuition among the 6 ranked MBA programs in Florida runs from $3,152 to $42,730 a year. Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University anchors the low end at $3,152, while Lynn University sits at the top at $42,730. At public schools that in-state figure is the resident rate; out-of-state students routinely pay two to three times as much, which can reorder this list entirely for anyone moving in from elsewhere.
Run the two-year math and the gap widens: about $6,304 in tuition at the low end against roughly $85,460 at the high end for the same MBA. Against the national median of $105,770 a year, the cheaper degree pays its tuition back far faster.
A higher price does not automatically buy a stronger degree. Weigh each school's graduation rate and net price, not just its sticker tuition, and use its net price calculator for your own situation before comparing.
Accreditation and Value: What to Check First
Every school ranked here is accredited and reports to the federal IPEDS system, so the Hakia Score never rewards an unaccredited program for being cheap or convenient. Accreditation is what makes an MBA count with employers and other schools, so confirm it on the program's own page before enrolling, not after.
Low tuition only pays off when the degree finishes and counts. That is why this ranking weighs completion alongside cost: a cheap program that graduates a fraction of its students is not a bargain. Where a field carries programmatic accreditation on top of institutional accreditation, look for it too.
Online MBA Options in Florida
3 of the 6 ranked Florida programs offer a confirmed online or distance-education option, which widens access for working students who cannot relocate. An accredited online MBA carries the same standing as its on-campus version, since accreditation attaches to the program and school, not the delivery format.
What changes online is flexibility, not the credential. Before committing, confirm whether courses are self-paced, whether any on-campus intensives are required, and whether the online section charges the in-state rate to every student, which can erase the residency discount that makes a nearby public so cheap.
MBA Careers and Pay After a Florida Program
Every degree on this list points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay in the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that applies across the profession rather than to any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $3,152 or $42,730 a year in tuition. That is the core tradeoff this ranking is built to expose: a higher price does not buy a higher starting salary in the federal wage data.
Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and state-level wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS. Graduates of any ranked Florida program compete in that same national pay structure.
Common Questions About MBA Programs in Florida
What is the best MBA in Florida?
By Hakia Score, University of Central Florida ranks first among the 6 MBA programs in Florida we analyzed, with an 89.9 score and a 78% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, in-state cost, and outcomes, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one.
How much does an MBA cost in Florida?
In-state tuition among the ranked Florida programs runs from $3,152 to $42,730 a year. These are resident rates at public schools; out-of-state students pay more, so confirm your residency status and check the out-of-state column before comparing.
Is an online MBA respected by employers?
Yes, when the school is accredited. An accredited online degree lists the same on a transcript as the on-campus version, and accreditation, not delivery format, is what protects the credential. Every program ranked here is accredited and reporting to the federal IPEDS system.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. That is a national benchmark, not an Florida-specific figure or a promised outcome for any single school, but it is the number every tuition dollar on this page should be measured against.
Our Methodology for Ranking MBA Programs in Florida
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.