Best Community Colleges in Miami: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 17, 2026
Miami Dade College and Broward College — both under $2,840/year. MDC's Future Ready scholarship makes associate degrees free for Miami-Dade residents.
Why Community College in Miami?
Miami's community college system is anchored by two powerhouses: Miami Dade College (the largest college in Florida) and Broward College. Both charge under $2,840/year, and MDC's Future Ready Miami-Dade Scholarship makes associate degrees completely free for county residents.
Florida's 2+2 articulation agreement is one of the strongest in the country — earn your AA at any Florida state college and you're guaranteed admission to a Florida state university as a junior.
Miami Dade College — $2,838/year, 35,001 students
MDC is massive — 8 campuses spanning Miami-Dade County, from Kendall to North Miami. It's the largest college by enrollment in Florida and one of the most diverse institutions in the country.
Nursing: BSN graduates earn $90,158/year. Both ADN and BSN pathways available.
Key programs: Nursing, engineering transfer, film/entertainment (the only college in the US with its own international film festival), business, healthcare.
Transfer: MDC has a direct connect agreement with FIU, guaranteeing admission for AA graduates with a 2.0+ GPA. This is a direct pipeline from $2,838/year to FIU's top nursing and business programs.
Free tuition: The Future Ready Miami-Dade Scholarship covers 100% of tuition for Miami-Dade County residents pursuing an associate degree.
Broward College — $2,830/year, 23,799 students
Broward serves Fort Lauderdale and all of Broward County with multiple campuses.
Nursing: BSN graduates earn $82,157/year.
Key programs: Nursing, aviation maintenance (near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood Airport), business, IT, hospitality.
Transfer: Strong articulation with FAU, NSU, and all Florida state universities.
Florida's 2+2 System
Florida has the best community-college-to-university transfer system in the country:
- Guaranteed admission: Earn an AA at any Florida state college → guaranteed admission as a junior to at least one Florida state university
- Common prerequisites: Statewide common course numbering means courses transfer cleanly
- Direct Connect (MDC → FIU): Guaranteed FIU admission with a 2.0+ GPA
- Excess credit surcharge: Students are incentivized to complete on time, and the 2+2 system is designed to avoid excess credits
Cost Comparison
| Path | 4-Year Total | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years at FIU | $26,260 | $6,565/yr |
| 4 years at UM | $239,704 | $59,926/yr |
| 2yr MDC + 2yr FIU | $18,806 | $2,838 then $6,565 |
| With Future Ready + Bright Futures | Near $0 at MDC | Scholarships cover tuition |
Financial Aid
- Future Ready Miami-Dade Scholarship — free associate degree at MDC for county residents
- Bright Futures — lottery-funded, covers tuition based on HS achievement
- Florida Student Assistance Grant — need-based
- Pell Grant — $7,395 max vs. $2,838 tuition = significant surplus for books/living
Most Miami students can attend MDC or Broward completely free.
How to Choose
| Priority | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Miami-Dade County | Miami Dade College |
| Broward County | Broward College |
| Transfer to FIU | MDC (Direct Connect guarantee) |
| Nursing BSN | MDC ($90,158 earnings) |
| Free tuition | MDC (Future Ready scholarship) |
| Film/Entertainment | MDC (Miami Film Festival connection) |
Next Steps
Compare Miami community colleges on GradeToGrad.
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