This school appears in our ranking 10 Most Affordable Top Ranked MBA Entrepreneurship Online 2018.
Everglades University was originally founded in September 1990 as American Flyers College to award ACCSCT-accredited Associate of Science programs at Pompano Air Park. Eight years later, Arthur and Belinda Keiser, the pioneers of Keiser University, acquired the for-profit school and switched to a non-profit model. By 2004, Everglades had sprung up three campuses in Sarasota, Boca Raton, and Orlando. Dedicated to "Sapientia Veritas Integritas," Everglades University now enrolls the highest percentage of its 1,498 learners through the Online Division. The 2017 Florida Gulf Coast Region LEEDership Award winner has 15 degrees, including the nation's first Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine. Linked to 2,901 LinkedIn alumni, Everglades University has trained Leonardo Garcia, Dawn Burnett, John Craparo, Ivonne Whitaker, and more.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked Everglades University the 36th best Southern college and 13th most veteran-friendly school. On Niche, Everglades is America's 104th safest campus and 347th most conservative college. Granted the 2016 Green Arrow Award, Everglades was placed 15th by the South Florida Business Journal. In Washington Monthly, Everglades stands out in the baccalaureate category for the 47th best graduation rate and 98th best financial aid. WalletHub chose Everglades University for the 96th top value. According to the Commonwealth Institute, Everglades is Florida's third best woman-led nonprofit. College Factual declared Everglades the country's 182nd most diverse university with the 94th best public administration master's. Best Value Schools also noticed Everglades University for the 25th most affordable online education.
Everglades University Accreditation Details
In 2015, Everglades University had its 10-year Level III accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) renewed without sanctions under president Dr. Kristi Mollis. This regional body based in Decatur is authorized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to certify the quality of Everglades' 11 bachelor's and four master's programs from Boca Raton to Sarasota and online. The curriculum is approved by the Florida Department of Education's Commission for Independent Education. Though not accredited by the Better Business Bureau, Everglades has held an A+ rating since 2013 too.
Everglades University Application Requirements
The Fall 2016 acceptance rate of 83 percent caused Peterson's to classify admission to Everglades University as "non-competitive." Starting an online master's will require verifying the completion of a four-year baccalaureate at an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. At a minimum, graduates need a 2.0 bachelor's or 3.0 master's GPA. The Online Master of Business Administration specifically has course prerequisites in Accounting and Statistics. MPH entrants need credits for Clinical Research Methods and Medical Terminology. The Online Master of Aviation Science also requests classes in Aeronautics and Aviation Law. Everglades expects online post-grads to score at least 500 on the GMAT or 290 on the GRE. International students are only considered with TOEFL scores above 500 (paper) or 173 (computer).
Everglades University follows a rolling admission policy with only final deadlines of August 28th for Fall and December 28th for Spring starts. Interested master's students create online accounts on the EU Enrollment Portal to apply. If needed, assistance is available at Toll-free (888) 772-6077, Tel. (561) 912-1211, Fax (561) 912-1191, Online Division Toll-free (855) 723-9087, Tel. (561) 912-2166, Fax (561) 982-8550 or 5002 T-Rex Avenue Suite 100 in Boca Raton, FL 33431. The Online Division generally needs the following for graduate programs:
- Non-refundable $50 application fees
- Official transcripts of course prerequisites
- Graduate entrance exam score reports
- One or more letters of recommendation
- Tests of English proficiency if applicable
Tuition and Financial Aid
The Online Division at Everglades University currently bills full-time online graduates taking 12 credits $8,400 per semester. Term costs are subsequently $6,300 for three-quarter-time, $4,200 for half-time, and $2,100 for quarter-time students. Master's programs online incur an $800 education fee each Fall and Spring. Budgets should account for the $800 textbook, $75 change of start date, and $150 re-entry fees too. Everglades estimates that an entire 36-credit online master's degree will charge $21,600 for tuition.
According to the NCES College Navigator, 79 percent of full-time Everglades students share $16.7 million in annual financial aid packages that average $6,408. Online master's applicants should submit the FAFSA form with code 031085. Grad PLUS loans currently have a 7 percent interest rate that's capped at 10.5. Direct Unsubsidized loans are available for a maximum $20,500. Private loans from lenders like Bank of Lake Mills, PNC Bank, and Discover are accepted. Sunshine State natives might qualify for the Florida Student Assistance Grant, Jose Marti Scholarship, and Bright Futures Scholarship. Everglades has partnered with Aerosim Flight Academy for the $1,000 Future Pilots Scholarship each semester. The university also suggests the $1 billion FastWeb website to search funding like the Microsoft Scholarship, Coca-Cola Scholarship, Marine Corps Scholarship, Goldman Sachs MBA Fellowship, Dr. Sanda Sabhasri Fellowship, and Ruth F. Thompson Scholarship.
Online Degrees Available
The Online Division based in Boca Raton utilizes Blackboard Collaborate to connect Everglades University students to four master's degrees with 10 concentrations total. Thanks to the 13:1 learner-teacher ratio, online courses are highly personalized with individual tutoring available. Some other online advantages are 24/7 technical help, disability support, a military benefits center, access to Library resources like EBSCO Host, and community outreach projects with Kids in Distress. Online alumni were hired by JetBlue Airways, Crest Oil, Orlando Health, Ritz Carlton, Lufthansa Cargo, The Golf Channel, and more. Two sample online graduate degrees from Everglades are:
Master of Business Administration
Chaired by Dr. Daniel Illady, Everglades' Master of Business Administration hones online students' decision-making managerial principles for assuming greater authority over organizational policy in today's fast-paced economy. The 36-credit, 48-week MBA accelerates toward the capstone project with five self-designed concentrations: Accounting, Construction Management, Human Resources, Aviation Management, and Project Management.
Master of Public Health Administration
Wholly online, the Master of Public Health Administration lets Everglades post-grads sharpen their clinical leadership skills to manage non-profit agencies where protecting people from medical risks reigns supreme. This 36-credit, 12-month MPH headed by Dr. Karen Scotti integrates didactic instruction with applied capstone work in two distinct specializations: Functional Nutrition and Complementary & Alternative Medicine.
Other online offerings at Everglades University include the Master of Aviation Science, Master in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Surveying Management, Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy, Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Bachelor of Science in International Business, and Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.