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2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida

53 Colleges
$35,132 Avg Salary
$22,101 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Florida ranking is part of that endeavor.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Your Choice of School Matters

Our analysis looked at 53 schools in Florida to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.

Early-Career Salaries Are Higher

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving a associate degree from the school. A associate degree holder from a school in Florida makes an average starting salary of $35,132, but the students who attended schools in the top 17 of our list make an average of $38,418.

Starting Salary  ( 32235 to 43263 )
$0
$52,944

Average Student Debt

In addition to average starting salaries, we also consider the average amount of student loans that students take on while pursuing their associate degree. Upon graduation, associate degree recipients from schools in Florida have accumulated an average of $22,101 in student debt. The average amount taken out in student loans for graduates at a particular school may be crippling for those who earn less than average wages after graduation.

Other Ranking Factors in Our Methodology

We also analyze a number of other factors in addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt when coming up with our yearly Best Associate Degree Schools ranking. Several other factors - such as how much the school spends on educational resources, the demand of the school, the availability of online learning options, and the student body caliber - go into our rankings.

We go into more detail on these factors on our best schools ranking methodology page.

Check Out These Other Rankings

Bachelor's Degree Rankings Undergrad Rankings
Master's Degree Rankings Grad School Rankings
Doctorate Degrees Ranking Grad School Rankings
Overall Best Colleges Ranking Overall Rankings
If you'd rather work on your associate degree in a specific area of the country, you might be interested in our rankings by place. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Associate Degree Schools in Florida

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
SEU crest
Southeastern University
Lakeland, Florida
197 Associate Degrees Awarded
$13,145 Average Student Debt

Our 2024 rankings named Southeastern University the best school in Florida in terms of overall quality for students working on their associate degree. SEU is located in Lakeland, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 197 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,145.

Learn More About Southeastern University

2
38 Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,944 Average Early-Career Earnings
$18,074 Average Student Debt

A rank of #2 on our Best Associate Degree in Florida list means Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach is a great place for students working on their degree. Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach is a private not-for-profit institution located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 38 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Embry-Riddle Daytona Beach make an average of $52,944 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $18,074 in student loans.

Learn More About Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Daytona Beach

3
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale crest
Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
3,334 Associate Degrees Awarded
$32,693 Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,140 Average Student Debt

The excellent associate degree programs at Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Florida. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,334 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $32,693 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $26,140 after getting their degree. If the student is repaying the loan over 10 years, the average monthly payment is $160.

Read full report on Keiser University - Ft Lauderdale

4
1,858 Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,207 Average Early-Career Earnings
$25,834 Average Student Debt

A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in Florida list means Rasmussen University - Florida is a great place for students working on their degree. Rasmussen University - Florida is located in Ocala, Florida and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,858 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,207 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $25,834 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $175 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Rasmussen University - Florida

5
224 Associate Degrees Awarded

The excellent associate degree programs at University of South Florida - Main Campus helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Florida. USF Tampa is a public institution located in Tampa, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 224 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Learn More About University of South Florida - Main Campus

6
416 Associate Degrees Awarded

With a ranking of #6, University of Central Florida did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. UCF is located in Orlando, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 416 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Learn More About University of Central Florida

7
23 Associate Degrees Awarded
$28,312 Average Student Debt

Florida Institute of Technology came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Melbourne, Florida, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 23 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate students leave the school with an average of $28,312 in student loans.

Full Florida Institute of Technology Report

8
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida
187 Associate Degrees Awarded

Florida State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 187 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Florida State University

9

Florida Polytechnic University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking.

Full Florida Polytechnic University Report

10
Valencia College crest
Valencia College
Orlando, Florida
9,246 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,231 Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,732 Average Student Debt

Valencia College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking, coming in at #10. Valencia College is a large public school situated in Orlando, Florida. It awarded 9,246 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Valencia College is $34,231 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $14,732 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $83 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Full Valencia College Report

11
4,672 Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,637 Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,350 Average Student Debt

Florida State College at Jacksonville came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the large public school handed out 4,672 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from FSCJ go into careers with an average salary of $41,637 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $15,350 in student loans.

Learn More About Florida State College at Jacksonville

12
BC crest
Broward College
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
6,700 Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,068 Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,934 Average Student Debt

Broward College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the large public school handed out 6,700 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from BC make an average of $39,068 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $9,934 in student loans.

Learn More About Broward College

13
4,137 Associate Degrees Awarded
$41,084 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,550 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Hillsborough Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. This fairly large public school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 4,137 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $41,084 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $17,550 after getting their degree. This translates to an average monthly payment of $114 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Learn More About Hillsborough Community College

14
Palm Beach State College crest
Palm Beach State College
Lake Worth, Florida
4,845 Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,635 Average Early-Career Earnings
$9,821 Average Student Debt

Palm Beach State College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Palm Beach State College is a large public school situated in Lake Worth, Florida. It awarded 4,845 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Palm Beach State College go into careers with an average salary of $36,635 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $9,821 after getting their degree.

Read full report on Palm Beach State College

15
152 Associate Degrees Awarded

Florida International University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking, coming in at #15. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 152 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Read full report on Florida International University

16
2,380 Associate Degrees Awarded
$48,612 Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,490 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, Florida SouthWestern State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Fort Myers, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 2,380 students in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from FSW go into careers with an average salary of $48,612 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,490 after getting their degree.

Read full report on Florida SouthWestern State College

17
Tallahassee Community College crest
Tallahassee Community College
Tallahassee, Florida
2,456 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,160 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,306 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #17, Tallahassee Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Tallahassee Community College is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,456 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $34,160 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,306 in student loans. This translates to an average monthly payment of $83 if the graduate is repaying the loan over a 10-year period.

Full Tallahassee Community College Report

18
FAU crest
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
321 Associate Degrees Awarded
$11,300 Average Student Debt

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Boca Raton, Florida, the large public school handed out 321 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $11,300 after getting their degree.

Learn More About Florida Atlantic University

19
MDC crest
Miami Dade College
Miami, Florida
11,464 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,663 Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,558 Average Student Debt

Miami Dade College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. MDC is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11,464 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from MDC make an average of $34,663 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $12,558.

Full Miami Dade College Report

20
Santa Fe College crest
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, Florida
2,725 Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,749 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,588 Average Student Debt

Santa Fe College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Santa Fe College is located in Gainesville, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,725 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Santa Fe College is $37,749 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $16,588. Average monthly loan payments are around $108 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on Santa Fe College

21
Indian River State College crest
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida
2,353 Associate Degrees Awarded
$35,274 Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,084 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #21, Indian River State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida list. Indian River State College is a fairly large public school located in Fort Pierce, Florida that handed out 2,353 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Indian River State College make an average of $35,274 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $10,084 in student loans.

Full Indian River State College Report

22
2,926 Associate Degrees Awarded
$34,842 Average Early-Career Earnings
$16,639 Average Student Debt

Seminole State College of Florida did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Sanford, Florida, the fairly large public school handed out 2,926 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Seminole State is $34,842 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $16,639 in student loans.

Learn More About Seminole State College of Florida

23
SPC crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, Florida
4,371 Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,909 Average Early-Career Earnings
$21,926 Average Student Debt

St Petersburg College landed the #23 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. SPC is located in St. Petersburg, Florida and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4,371 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from SPC is $38,909 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $21,926 in student loans.

Full St Petersburg College Report

24
2,325 Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,514 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,035 Average Student Debt

Eastern Florida State College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. EFSC is located in Melbourne, Florida and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,325 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from EFSC make an average of $39,514 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $17,035 after getting their degree.

Read full report on Eastern Florida State College

25
337 Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,881 Average Early-Career Earnings
$26,997 Average Student Debt

Florida National University - Main Campus came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Florida ranking. Florida National University - Main Campus is a small private for-profit school located in Hialeah, Florida that handed out 337 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from Florida National University - Main Campus make an average of $31,881 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $26,997 after getting their degree.

Learn More About Florida National University - Main Campus

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