2025 Guide to Accredited Colleges Near Fort Myers Shores, Florida
Are you near Fort Myers Shores, Florida looking for an accredited college or university where you can earn a degree? Start your search with the Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide.
This guide makes it easy for you to learn about accredited schools offering degrees near Fort Myers Shores, Florida, including details about each institution's accreditation history, as well as insight into institutional and programmatic accreditation. You'll also find other helpful information about accredited colleges near Fort Myers Shores, Florida, including cost, program completions and online availability.
Accreditation information provided reflects the recognized state approval agencies, as well as institutional and programmatic accrediting bodies from the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). Accreditation information listed for each institution may not be comprehensive or complete. Please contact the appropriate agency for the most accurate and current accreditation information. Click here to learn more about the guide.
What is Accreditation & Why Does it Matter?
Make sure the time and money you invest in your education is well spent by doing your research on accreditation. Accreditation is validation that the degree you're earning meets acceptable levels of quality. In the United States, accreditation is granted by accrediting organizations, as well as state and federal governmental agencies.
Institutional and programmatic are two main types of accreditation.
Accreditation: Institutional vs. Programmatic
Institutional Accreditation
Granted as a result of a voluntary examination of a school's academic and organizational structure.
What it Impacts:
- Financial Aid
- Corporate Tuition Reimbursement
- Credit Transfer
Programmatic Accreditation
Focuses on a specific department or program/field of study.
What it Impacts:
- Licensure
- Certification
- Employment
Sponsored
Accredited College Providing Quality Degrees for Students
Nonprofit and dedicated to student success, Franklin University was founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, to provide high-quality academic programs aligned with workforce needs. Franklin demonstrates its quality through institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and programmatic accreditation for educator preparation (CAEP), nursing (CCNE) and specific business (IACBE) programs. In addition, the University is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for its cybersecurity programs.




About these Accreditations
Higher Learning Commission
Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense
Franklin University has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense since 2019, by the National Security Agency and its federal partners. Our B.S. in Cybersecurity received the program of study designation in 2019 and the M.S. in Cybersecurity program was designated in 2024. These designations were awarded as a result of a thorough investigation into the University's cybersecurity curriculum, faculty credentials, and competence in research and student involvement in cybersecurity activities.
For more information about the National Security Agency's Centers of Academic Excellence, please click here and for more information about the CAE Community, please click here.
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, post-graduate APRN certificates, and Doctor of Nursing Practice programs at Franklin University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
The School of Education at Franklin University holds accreditation for its initial-level educator preparation programs through June 2027 from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077. The following bachelor's degree and post-baccalaureate initial-level licensure programs were included in the CAEP accreditation review: Adolescence to Young Adult Education (7-12), Intervention Specialist: Mild-Moderate (K-12), Middle Childhood Education, and Primary Education (PK-5).
For more information about the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, please click here.
International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
The Ross College of Business at Franklin University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page. Click here to see our IACBE Public Disclosure of Student Achievement. For more information about the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, please click here or visit www.iacbe.org.
Find Franklin Programs With Programmatic Accreditation:

Bachelor's Degrees:
Associate Degrees:
Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Programs accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education are committed to continuous assessment and improvement, which results in graduates that are in-tune with current thinking and best practices in business around the world.

Bachelor's Degrees:
Accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation signifies that teacher preparation programs meet national standards for ensuring that graduates are equipped with the skills to be effective classroom teachers.

Designation by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense Education validates an institution’s quality and commitment to producing highly-qualified cybersecurity professionals.

Master's Degrees:
Doctoral Degrees:
Post-Graduate Certificates:
Through a peer-review accreditation process, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education holds U.S. nursing programs to a common quality standard as they prepare nurses for certification, employment and advanced education.
97% of graduating students believe their Franklin degree will help or has already helped them achieve their goals.
Source: Graduating Student Survey
Accredited 4-Year Private Nonprofit Colleges & Universities Near Fort Myers Shores, Florida
Institutional Accreditation
The Higher Learning Commission is the institutional accreditor for Franklin University. The institution has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1976. The latest accreditation action concerning Franklin University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Franklin University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Franklin University are adults and all programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 88 associate degrees, 1,429 bachelor's degrees, 616 master's degrees and 38 doctoral degrees were completed at Franklin University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
Franklin University has programmatic accreditation for 46 of its academic programs including accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for nursing degree and post-graduate certificate programs, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation for initial-level licensure programs, and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education for specific business and accounting programs. In addition, the University has been designated as a Center of Excellence in Cyber Defense for its cybersecurity programs by the National Security Agency and its federal partners.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Franklin University was $9,577 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $12,060. A total of 2,171 degrees were completed at Franklin University in Franklin University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$9,577
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$12,060
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Institutional Accreditation
Ave Maria University has two institutional accreditors, the American Academy for Liberal Education and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges, and has been accredited since 2008 and 2010, respectively. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Ave Maria University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Ave Maria University are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 0 associate degrees, 271 bachelor's degrees, 18 master's degrees and 1 doctoral degree were completed at Ave Maria University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Ave Maria University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 1 of its academic programs, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Ave Maria University was $28,224 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $10,018. A total of 290 degrees were completed at Ave Maria University in Ave Maria University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$28,224
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$10,018
Completions By Degree
290
Est. Online Degree Availability
7%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 4-Year Public Colleges & Universities Near Fort Myers Shores, Florida
Institutional Accreditation
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges is the institutional accreditor for Florida Gulf Coast University. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges since 1999. The latest accreditation action concerning Florida Gulf Coast University occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Florida Gulf Coast University from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Florida Gulf Coast University are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 398 associate degrees, 2,972 bachelor's degrees, 491 master's degrees and 72 doctoral degrees were completed at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Florida Gulf Coast University has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 8 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education, the American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the American Psychological Association, Commission on Accreditation, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs, and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Florida Gulf Coast University was $6,118 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $8,961. A total of 3,933 degrees were completed at Florida Gulf Coast University in Florida Gulf Coast University.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$6,118
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$8,961
Completions By Degree
3,933
Est. Online Degree Availability
10%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 2-Year & Other Private For-Profit Colleges & Universities Near Fort Myers Shores, Florida
Institutional Accreditation
The Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools is the institutional accreditor for Premiere International College. The institution has been accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools since 2022. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Premiere International College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Premiere International College are adults and no programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 2 associate degrees, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Premiere International College.
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Premiere International College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 1 of its academic programs, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Premiere International College was $21,250 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 2 degrees were completed at Premiere International College in Premiere International College.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
$21,250
Avg. GR Tuition & Fees
$0
Completions By Degree
2
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Completions by Program Area
Accredited 2-Year Public Schools Offering Near Fort Myers Shores, Florida Including Community Colleges
Institutional Accreditation
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges is the institutional accreditor for Florida SouthWestern State College. The institution has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges since 1966. The latest accreditation action concerning Florida SouthWestern State College occurred in 2025 and was Renewal of Accreditation. See a list of the most recent accreditation history and actions for Florida SouthWestern State College from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP) below. Most students who attend Florida SouthWestern State College are of traditional age and minimal programs completed were offered online. According to data from Lightcast™, in 2023, 2,043 associate degrees, 297 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees and 0 doctoral degrees were completed at Florida SouthWestern State College.
Is in compliance with all of the agency's accreditation standards
Programmatic Accreditation
According to data from the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), Florida SouthWestern State College has or previously had programmatic accreditation for 4 of its academic programs, including accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Programmatic accreditation information sourced from DAPIP may not be current or complete, so please see the individual school's website or contact the specific accrediting agency for the most accurate status.
Cost, Enrollment & Programs
According to Lightcast™, the average annual undergraduate tuition and fees at Florida SouthWestern State College was $3,401 in 2023 and the average annual graduate tuition and fees was $0. A total of 2,340 degrees were completed at Florida SouthWestern State College in Florida SouthWestern State College.