Florida International University’s Snapshot

20+

Online master’s programs

~$400–475

Per credit hour (in-state)

~$13–26k

Typical total cost (in-state)

R1

Public research university

Key policies

Institution type

Public university

Regional accreditation

SACSCOC

Admissions model

Deadline-based (fall & spring)

GRE/GMAT required

Not required (most programs)

Out-of-state premium

Yes — significant price difference

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • AACSB
  • CSWE
  • CCNE
  • CEPH
  • NASPAA
  • NSA/DHS CAE-CD
Written By - OMC Admin
Last Updated: May 15, 2026
Florida International University

Start Here: Compare FIU by What Matters Most

  • Compare institutional strengths → Particularly strong in international business, hospitality management, criminal justice, public health, social work, and nursing
  • Compare accreditation → SACSCOC regional accreditation plus AACSB, CSWE, CCNE, CEPH, and NASPAA programmatic credentials
  • Compare Miami-network value → Strong alignment for careers connected to hospitality, international trade, healthcare, public service, and Latin American business ecosystems
  • Compare affordability → One of the strongest value propositions among public R1 universities for Florida residents, with significantly higher pricing for out-of-state students
  • Compare alternatives → University of Florida, Arizona State University, and University of Houston

Florida International University (FIU) is a Carnegie R1 public research university based in Miami, Florida, and one of the largest universities in the United States by enrollment. FIU holds regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the gold-standard accreditor for institutions in the southeastern US.

FIU offers more than 20 fully online or primarily online master’s programs spanning business, criminal justice, education, healthcare, nursing, social work, public administration, psychology, and technology. Several of these programs carry elite programmatic accreditations — AACSB for business, CSWE for social work, CCNE for nursing, CEPH for public health, and NASPAA for public administration.

What sets FIU apart in the online master’s landscape is a combination of affordability (particularly for Florida residents), unusually strong programs in international business and hospitality management, one of the country’s largest criminal justice departments, and a student body that is among the most diverse at any US university. FIU’s Miami location also creates network effects in industries like hospitality, international trade, healthcare, and public administration that few peer institutions can replicate.

For students exploring other online master’s programs in Florida , FIU represents one of the strongest options — but it isn’t the right fit for every learner. This page breaks down where FIU excels, where it doesn’t, and how it compares to peer institutions.

What This University Is Known For

FIU’s online master’s portfolio isn’t uniformly strong across every field — but in several areas, it’s genuinely distinctive. Here’s where FIU’s reputation is backed by substance:

AACSB-Accredited Business Programs, Especially International Business

FIU’s College of Business holds AACSB accreditation, placing it in the top 5% of business schools worldwide. Its international business programs have been ranked #1 or near the top nationally for over two decades. The MBA offers concentrations in international business, finance, marketing, MIS, and health management, while standalone MS programs in international business, finance, and HR management are also available online.

Hospitality and Tourism Management

FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is consistently ranked among the top hospitality programs in the world. The online MS in Hospitality and Tourism Management draws on Miami’s position as a global tourism hub. Few online master’s programs in this niche can match the Chaplin School’s industry connections.

Criminal Justice

FIU’s Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is one of the largest and highest-ranked in the country. The online MS in Criminal Justice offers concentrations in crime science, forensic science, corrections, and juvenile justice — with faculty actively involved in research that shapes policy. For students exploring criminal justice programs nationally, FIU belongs on any serious shortlist.

Public Health (CEPH-Accredited MPH)

The Robert Stempel College of Public Health offers a CEPH-accredited Master of Public Health with tracks in epidemiology , health promotion and disease prevention, and health policy and management. Miami’s status as a public health research hub — with proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean — gives FIU’s MPH program a distinctive global health dimension.

Social Work (CSWE-Accredited MSW)

FIU’s MSW program is CSWE-accredited and structured for working professionals, with concentrations in direct practice and community practice. An advanced standing option allows BSW graduates to complete the degree in fewer credits.

Nursing (CCNE-Accredited MSN)

FIU offers multiple CCNE-accredited MSN pathways , including Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesiology. The FNP and PMHNP tracks are delivered primarily online with required clinical hours, making them accessible to working nurses — particularly those in the BSN-to-MSN pathway .

These four programs represent FIU’s clearest standouts for online master’s students — each chosen because of specific accreditation strength, national reputation, or distinctive positioning.

AACSB-accredited with a 40-credit curriculum and five concentrations, including FIU’s nationally ranked international business track. GMAT/GRE waivers are available for qualified applicants. The MBA’s integration with Miami’s international business ecosystem gives graduates a tangible network advantage in global commerce, trade, and finance.

Online Master’s Programs by Subject

FIU’s online master’s programs span eight subject areas. The table below groups every known online program by subject, with key details for each. Note that some programs — particularly in nursing and social work — require in-person components like clinical hours or field placements alongside online coursework.

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) — 40 credits, AACSB, concentrations in International Business, Finance, Marketing, MIS, Health Management
  • MS in International Business — 33 credits, AACSB, nationally ranked
  • MS in Finance — 33 credits, AACSB
  • MS in Human Resource Management — 33 credits, AACSB
  • MS in Hospitality and Tourism Management — 33 credits, Chaplin School, top-ranked nationally

How This University Compares

FIU competes with several large public universities for online master’s students. Here’s how it stacks up against the most relevant peers on dimensions that actually matter for program selection.

FIU vs. University of Florida

The University of Florida is FIU’s most direct in-state competitor and generally carries more brand prestige and selectivity. UF is stronger in STEM fields, engineering, and research-intensive programs. However, FIU is more accessible for students who don’t meet UF’s higher admission thresholds, and FIU clearly outperforms UF in hospitality management, international business, and criminal justice at the master’s level. For Florida residents deciding between the two for an online MBA or MSW, the programs are closer in quality than their overall rankings might suggest — but UF’s name recognition carries more weight outside Florida.

FIU vs. Arizona State University

Arizona State University operates one of the largest online program portfolios in the country and is often the default comparison for any large public university with online ambitions. ASU offers more online master’s programs overall, more frequent start dates, and a more innovation-branded experience. But FIU is significantly more affordable for Florida residents, and FIU’s international business, hospitality, and Latin American studies programs have no real equivalent at ASU. If cost and those specific subject areas matter, FIU wins. If breadth, flexibility, and rolling enrollment matter more, ASU has the edge.

FIU vs. University of Houston

Both are large urban R1 universities at public-university price points. The University of Houston is stronger in engineering and energy-related fields. FIU has a clear advantage in hospitality, international relations, public health, and criminal justice. For students in the southeast or with connections to South Florida’s economy, FIU’s local employer network is a tangible asset that UH can’t replicate in that geography.

Florida International University is

Best For

FIU is an excellent fit for specific student profiles — not for everyone, but distinctly strong for these groups:

  • Working professionals in South Florida who want an affordable, accredited master’s degree from a recognized university without leaving their jobs. In-state tuition makes FIU one of the best value propositions in Florida for online graduate study.
  • Students pursuing international business or hospitality management at the master’s level. FIU’s international business program is perennially top-ranked nationally, and the Chaplin School of Hospitality is among the best in the world. These are not generic programs — they’re destination programs.
  • Criminal justice professionals seeking career advancement through a rigorous, research-backed MS from one of the country’s largest and most respected criminal justice departments.
  • Social work and nursing professionals who need accredited, flexible programs. FIU’s CSWE-accredited MSW and CCNE-accredited MSN tracks are structured for people already working in the field, with online coursework and local clinical/field placement arrangements.
  • Students who value a large, diverse university network with strong employer recognition throughout Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean. FIU’s alumni network is substantial, and its Miami base creates connections in industries — especially hospitality, healthcare, trade, and public service — that few universities can match.

Not a Best Fit For

FIU has genuine strengths, but it’s not the right choice in several common scenarios:

  • If you prioritize brand prestige or highly selective admissions , FIU may not satisfy. Students seeking the most selective programs should consider the University of Florida , Johns Hopkins University , or Northeastern University , where admission standards and national brand recognition are higher.
  • If you live outside Florida and won’t qualify for in-state tuition , FIU’s cost advantage largely disappears. Out-of-state tuition per credit is significantly higher, and at that price point, other universities may offer comparable programs with better financial positioning. Students in this situation should compare carefully against Arizona State University or Southern New Hampshire University , which offer flat-rate or competitive out-of-state pricing.
  • If you’re looking for extensive online STEM or engineering master’s options , FIU’s online portfolio in these areas is limited. The cybersecurity and IT programs exist, but students seeking online engineering, data science, or computer science master’s degrees will find deeper options elsewhere.
  • If you want a competency-based or self-paced learning model , FIU doesn’t offer one. Students who learn best through self-paced progression should look at Western Governors University , which is built entirely around that model.
  • If maximum scheduling flexibility is essential — rolling starts every few weeks, asynchronous-only formats, accelerated terms — FIU’s semester-based calendar with limited start dates may feel restrictive compared to institutions like SNHU or ASU that offer more frequent enrollment windows.

Admissions Snapshot

Admission requirements vary by program, but FIU’s online master’s programs share several common elements:

  • Minimum GPA: Most programs require a 3.0 cumulative GPA from the last 60 credits of undergraduate work. Some programs accept lower GPAs with additional supporting materials.
  • GRE/GMAT: Many programs have moved to test-optional or offer waivers for applicants meeting GPA or professional experience thresholds. The MBA, criminal justice, and education programs typically do not require standardized tests. Nursing and public health programs may vary.
  • Application Deadlines: FIU uses a semester-based admissions calendar. Most programs have fall and spring deadlines; some (criminal justice, curriculum and instruction, cybersecurity, IT) also accept summer applications. Deadlines are firm — FIU does not use rolling admissions for most graduate programs.
  • Common Requirements: Official transcripts, statement of purpose, resume/CV, and letters of recommendation are standard across most programs. Some programs require writing samples or professional certifications.
  • Prerequisites / Experience: Nursing programs require a BSN and an active RN license. The MSW advanced standing track requires a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program. The MBA may require foundational business coursework or professional experience. Some education programs require a valid teaching certificate.

Students exploring scholarships for international students should note that FIU enrolls a substantial international student population and has dedicated support for international applicants.

Tuition & Cost Overview

Cost is one of FIU’s most important differentiators — but only for Florida residents. The in-state vs. out-of-state tuition gap is substantial and should be a central factor in any prospective student’s evaluation.

Cost Details

  • In-State Tuition: Approximately $400–$475 per credit hour for most online master’s programs. This places FIU among the most affordable options from an R1 public university.
  • Out-of-State Tuition: Approximately $800–$1,000+ per credit hour, depending on the program. At this rate, the cost advantage narrows considerably, and students should compare against national competitors.
  • Approximate Total Cost Ranges: A 33-credit MS program could cost roughly $13,200–$15,700 in-state and $26,400–$33,000 out-of-state. Higher-credit programs like the 60-credit MSW or 48-credit MHA carry proportionally higher totals.
  • Online-Specific Fees: FIU charges distance learning fees on top of tuition per-credit rates. These vary by program but typically add $30–$60 per credit.
  • Financial Aid: FIU participates in federal financial aid programs. Graduate assistantships are available for some programs , but may require on-campus presence. Students should also explore student loan forgiveness programs — particularly relevant for MSW, education, and public health graduates who may work in qualifying public service roles.
  • State-Specific Aid: Florida Bright Futures scholarships are undergraduate-only. Graduate students should explore FIU’s institutional scholarships and departmental funding, as well as employer tuition reimbursement programs.

The bottom line: FIU is an excellent value for Florida residents. Out-of-state students need to assess whether FIU’s specific program strengths justify the higher price tag relative to alternatives.

Visit Florida International University’s official online programs page

FIU’s programs intersect with several OMC ranking and subject pages. These resources can help you compare FIU against other institutions in the specific fields where it competes: