Colleges Near Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Fort Walton Beach? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 60 miles of Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
There are at least 4 colleges serving the area, including 1 private college or university, 1 public college or university, and 2 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Fort Walton Beach, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Fort Walton Beach, Florida Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Fort Walton Beach, Florida have been declining over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 6,843 doctorates at colleges and universities near Fort Walton Beach. That was a decrease of 3% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Fort Walton Beach, Florida
There are at least 1 school offering degrees near Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and 1 is a four-year private college or university where about 5,117 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 2,171 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 2,171 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,429 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 88 associate degrees, 616 master's degrees, and 38 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,117
Completions By Degree
2,171
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Public Colleges & Universities Near Fort Walton Beach, Florida
There is 1 four-year public college located near Fort Walton Beach, Florida. About 8,806 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 4,206 degrees were completed at public colleges near Fort Walton Beach. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of West Florida is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of West Florida. In 2024, 2,197 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 539 associate degrees, 1,441 master's degrees, and 29 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
8,806
Completions By Degree
4,206
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Completions by Program Area
Community Colleges Near Fort Walton Beach, Florida
There are 2 community colleges near Fort Walton Beach, Florida where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 9,398 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Fort Walton Beach, and about 2,637 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Northwest Florida State College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
3,149
Completions By Degree
1,095
Est. Online Degree Availability
81%
Completions by Program Area
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Pensacola State College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
6,249
Completions By Degree
1,542
Est. Online Degree Availability
5%
Completions by Program Area
Affordable Colleges Near Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Fort Walton Beach, Florida? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Fort Walton Beach-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $9,577. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Fort Walton Beach is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Fort Walton Beach, Florida here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Northwest Florida State College
- Pensacola State College
Fort Walton Beach, Florida Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Fort Walton Beach? What's the Fort Walton Beach, Florida job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 369,463 jobs in the Fort Walton Beach, Florida area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Fort Walton Beach was below the national average, at 1.1%. There were 46,093 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Fort Walton Beach do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $21.35.